San Diego train sights to see?

Events-wise, the Great Train Expo will be at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on the weekend of Dec. 7th.

 

There's also the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum out in Campo that do excursion runs every weekend at 11 and 2pm, but you'll want to plan accordingly as it's about a 60 mile trip out there.  If you want to do the Expo plus this one, you're better off to do them on separate days that weekend.

 

There's the Chula Vista Live Steamers but their earliest run day will be on the following week of your visit.

 

There's a miniature train ride in Balboa Park right next to the Zoo.  Not a long ride, less than 5 minutes, but it's fun enough.

 

Local hobby stores:  San Diego is not known for having any train hobby stores of the caliber of Charles Ro or The Choo Choo barn.  Having said that, Frank the Trainman (no website) on Park Blvd several blocks north of the Zoo/Balboa Park, established in 1943, predominantly Lionel with some A/F.  Also includes an interesting automobile museum on the left when you go in the store entrance but you have to pay a fee to see that part of it.  There's also Reed's Hobbies in La Mesa with a wider variety of trains but still a fairly small shop.

 

You may also want to check out the historic Santa Fe depot in downtown off of Broadway, and there's also the San Diego Trolley that you can ride around on as well.  They also have special Vintage Trolley runs.

Near Reeds in La Mesa is a small steamer that is athe twin to one at steamtown. The AGTTA club meets in La Jolla monthly. I lived there a few years ago. A great group I used to be involved with. A Tripp to Campo to see the train museum there would be nice. If you have time and don't mind the drive the Orange Empire museum in Perris is pretty amazing RR and Trolley. They have built up a town of thier own. Ward Kimbells full scale collection is there now.

Jim the San Diego train museum is a must see. Make it a point to visit the San Diego 3 Railers at the museum. I visted San Diego about a month ago and the club members were very hospitable. A great club and members. The Santa Fe station in downtown is also a must visit. I took the Surfliner up to LA one day to visit my brother. The ride is very scenic along the coast. Also in Balboa Park the Aerospace and automobile museums are both good takes and if you like airplane watching the planes landing into San Diego airport approach very low practically overhead. As I said the train museum is a great take. Enjoy your trip.

 The AGTTA and their display layout will be at the Great Train Expo.

 

The steam engine that Silver Lake refers to (and the historic depot it resides next to) are part of the PSRRM in Campo.  The depot is open on Saturdays between 1-4pm, free admission, although I don't know if they're consistent on that schedule.

In addition to the above sights, I would highly recommend the Poway Midland Railroad. 

 

A working narrow gauge railroad where you'll be able to take short rides on different equipment that is rotated throughout the month.  Check their web site for the schedule

http://www.powaymidlandrr.org , rides are very cheap I take my kids their all the time on Saturdays after soccer practice. 

 

Poway is part of San Diego County and it's referred to as the "Little City in the Country".  

 

While in Poway also check out a wonderful outdoor G Gauge layout at Walter Anderson's Nursery.  It's free and has 3 main lines with amazing scenery, waterfalls, river and live fish!  Great fun.  

The Poway Nursery: 12755 Danielson Court Poway, CA 92064

http://www.walterandersen.com/garden-railroad 

 

you can email me if you want other non train related info. 

 

 

If you like S gauge https://sites.google.com/site/sdsgaugers/ These guys are in Point Loma.  They will be at Del Mar and are a nice bunch of guys despite their wayward love for a strange gauge ;-)   Everyone else has covered the highlights.  I wouldn't bother with the train stores.

 

If Petco Park is open the view into the sorting yard is good, it can also be seen well from the trolley Parking garage downtown.

I wholly agree with FMBUGMAN above, you will not be missing much if you skip the LH shops here, sadbut true. 

 

However I almost forgot...The National City Train Depot.  Working high rail layout in a historic depot building, small museum and great bunch of train enthusiasts who always extend a warm welcome to visitors.  

Railfanning wise, there's the Silver line trolley that uses a PCC car, and of course there's the ex-Santa Fe depot with Amtrak and coaster action. It's fairly busy.

Is there anything close to the cruise ship docks? Just asking as I"ll have a day before we head out.  Thanks, Bruce

its one and a half hours drive north of san deigo but a not to be missed train thing to do! the Orange Empire Railway Museum!

take a look for yourself

http://www.oerm.org/

Train wise no, but tons of good places to eat, especially if you like seafood. Take a tour of the USS Midway and then at The Fish Market right next to it.

The San Diego Railroad Museum has the surviving John Allen TimeSaver on display.

 

Gilly

the old Santa Fe train station is across the track and a street from the cruise ship docks. 

 

I would also like to state that on Friday Dec 6 and Saturday Dec 7 is a BIG party in balboa park called December nights.  more then 350,000 people attend.  gets a little crowded.  plan accordingly.