Traveling to Anaheim, CA

Bump to get it back on recent posts list.

Consider riding the Amtrak Surfliner between Anaheim and San Diego. Very scenic, get seats on the west-facing side of the train. I recommend spending the few extra $ for Business Class. 

hobby stores:

The Train Crossing in Costa Mesa.

Arnie's Trains/Milepost 38 in Huntington Beach (same building, different scales)

places to see trains:

ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center) - is right across from Anaheim Stadium and services BNSF, Metrolink between LA and south Orange County, and the Surfliner

hope this helps...

Fullerton is close, and from the train station platform you can see quite a few freights, Metrolink and Amtrak trains.  If you have the time, head to Cajon Pass.

Various clubs in San Diego's Balboa Park.  Don't miss it.

Visit the San Diego Model Railroad museum. I run trains at the San Diego 3-Railers and I will be at the layout Friday. 

Fullerton RR Station. Built in 1930 bySanta Fe. It is currently the Amtack ticketing office, and a small cafe. Lots of passenger and freight through traffic. In the same parking lot is the Spaghetti Factory which is housed in the old 1923 Union Pacific station. Lots of bar life in the surrounding are from what I understand.

Steve

Thanks for all the tips.  I am thinking about going to Cajon Pass, but the Google directions from Anaheim to Cajon seem complicated, and I'm not sure they lead to a good viewing spot.  Can anyone give me some tips after I'm on I-15 northbound.  Goofy directions seem to say I have to exit northbound, go under freeway, enter southbound and almost immediately exit for Cajon Pass Road.  Is that accurate?

Chuck

Go up to Burbank & visit the Train Shack 

Arnie’s is a nice place too

Balboa park train museum ..is dated and needs to be gutted. And remodeled..

3 railers layout is ok ..

Leaving today; thanks again for all the tips.

Chuck

Ed Jakl posted:

Fullerton is close, and from the train station platform you can see quite a few freights, Metrolink and Amtrak trains.  If you have the time, head to Cajon Pass.

When I travel from WV to So Cal I get off at Fullerton. It is a BUSY place. SWC, Surfliner, tons of intermodal, freight and local commuter trains. A nice little store that has drinks and snacks, a sit down restaurant, lots of seating trackside.  

I would vote with the others for Fullerton Station.  It has lots of traffic.  And there are a good many restaurants, grills, and bars within 3 blocks.  Oh, yes, and a parking lot.  That makes a big difference.

Cajon Pass is a nightmare on the Interstate.  The Interstate is always busy, and extremely so in the morning and evening with commuters.  The old highway has a scenic pull-off at Blue Cut.  There are sometimes men looking for something besides trains lurking there, but others go there to watch trains and apparently are not bothered.  Summit is a well-known place to watch trains, overlooking the big curve in the cut between Summit and Walker, but that road has been improved and I can't say if you can still park at the curve.  If you are used to high speed heavy highway traffic, Cajon Pass could work.  You'll need to carry something to eat and drink, as it's a drive to the nearest location to buy any.  And there's no shade.

Number 90 posted:

I would vote with the others for Fullerton Station.  It has lots of traffic.  And there are a good many restaurants, grills, and bars within 3 blocks.  Oh, yes, and a parking lot.  That makes a big difference.

Cajon Pass is a nightmare on the Interstate.  The Interstate is always busy, and extremely so in the morning and evening with commuters.  The old highway has a scenic pull-off at Blue Cut.  There are sometimes men looking for something besides trains lurking there, but others go there to watch trains and apparently are not bothered.  Summit is a well-known place to watch trains, overlooking the big curve in the cut between Summit and Walker, but that road has been improved and I can't say if you can still park at the curve.  If you are used to high speed heavy highway traffic, Cajon Pass could work.  You'll need to carry something to eat and drink, as it's a drive to the nearest location to buy any.  And there's no shade.

Not to scare you away, but it’s Rattlesnake season so watch where you step at Cajon. Not a big deal, just be aware. Milepost 38 store might be worth a visit down that way, too. Arnie’s, yes.  Cajon Pass is mighty busy with intermodal traffic at all times if you can find a place to park and watch it. Have fun; weather should be very pleasant!

Balboa park is excellent!  Several massive layouts of different scales in various stages of development.  I have been visiting once or twice a year for 16 years.  IMO the negative "dated and gutted" request has no place on this forum.

Request a behind the scenes visit, they are very hospitable.  It is simply amazing what is under the mountain.