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San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego

4.5

#5 of 42 in Museums in San Diego

Specialty Museum · Hidden Gem · Museum

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One of the largest venues of its kind in the world, San Diego Model Railroad Museum features a number of scale model railorads and layouts. The four clubs that created and maintain these exhibits are the San Diego Model Railroad Association, La Mesa Model Railroad Club, San Diego Society of N-Scale, and San Diego 3-Railers. Children adore the hands-on "Lionel type" layouts at the museum's toy train gallery. Since opening in 1982, almost 3 million visitors have spent time learning and playing at this interactive and informative museum. San Diego Model Railroad Museum is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , world travel planner Edition.

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Tours to San Diego Model Railroad Museum

FROM $89 BOOK WITH VIATOR Go City: San Diego Explorer Pass - Choose 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 Attractions Go City: San Diego Explorer Pass - Choose 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 Attractions

3.2

Duration: 60 days

Tours from $89 ›

San Diego Model Railroad Museum reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

537 reviews

Google

4.6

By TULIPS4ME2

This wasn't on our to do list, but saw while walking through Balboa Park. What a pleasant surprise. The model trains are awesome. The "conductors" were friendly.

This wasn't on our to do list, but saw while walking through Balboa Park. What a pleasant surprise. The model trains are awesome. The "conductors" were friendly. more »
By 668stephana

A work-in-progress (aren't all layouts?) - this is a must for train fans of all ages. They display several gauge trains - O, HO and more - professionally done and absolutely wonderful to see. This..... more

A work-in-progress (aren't all layouts?) - this is a must for train fans of all ages. They display several gauge trains - O, HO and more - professionally done and absolutely wonderful to see. This..... more »

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Google

By RedBullKC

What a spectacular downtown visit of childhood and fun for all! We toured and watched for an hour finding new things and hidden "innuendos" throughout! Love trains as a kid and this is a hidden gem 💎 to enjoy for as long as you want! The store is filled with toys, trains or publications to purchase and a complete layout of 2 full rooms to walk around and enjoy the scenery, flashing lights and pure artistry and creativeness at its best! The flashing lights, moving trains and storm from above brings out all alive and wanting to see more! 👀 A blessing to visit on a whim and enjoyment throughout! Kids and adults will appreciate! Great job in "Old San Diego Downtown!" 👏 Enjoy the photos and look closely! 😉

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By Beth Cato

What a fantastic place to geek out over model trains! I absolutely loved all of the displays, even the ones that showed sections in progress. The people involved here do incredible work. There are so many details built into every scene.

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