San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Name: San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Address: 1649 El Prado Balboa Park, CA, San Diego, San Diego, US
Telephone: 6196960199

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About

San Diego Model Railroad Museum explores Southern California’s railroading heritage through model railroads in Casa de Balboa, Balboa Park, San Diego, California.

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What's on here

Community Swap Meet Saturday · All day

Swap Meet Saturday, 07:003 USD

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Why go

Follow the San Diego & Arizona Eastern RR layout from San Diego Union Station through Carriso Gorge to El Centro.
See the Cabrillo & Southwestern O scale layout, depicting a route from San Diego to Sacramento.
Spot the Tehachapi Loop in a layout depicting the 1950s, with geographic details guided by thousands of prototype photographs.
See rare Lionel and American Flyer cars from the 1920s through the 1950s in the Toy Train Gallery.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 16:00Show all

MondayClosed

Tuesday10:00 – 16:00

Wednesday10:00 – 16:00

Thursday10:00 – 16:00

Friday10:00 – 16:00

Saturday10:00 – 16:00

Sunday10:00 – 16:00

Don't miss

Pacific Desert Lines N scale layoutIt depicts a surveyed but never-built rail line.San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Know before you go What's inside With kids Tips for your visit

Know before you go

Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–16:00; closed 6 December.
Groups with children under 13 need at least one adult chaperone for every four children.

What's inside

Two large HO scale layouts, an N scale layout, and an O scale layout.
Toy Train Gallery with four main lines, realistic scenery, and operating accessories.
Interactive exhibits and displays explore the history of railroads in San Diego.
Club members operate gallery trains using Lionel LEGACY and MTH DCS remote systems.
Reference library with books, magazines, VHS tapes, blueprints, and other research materials on model and real railroads.

With kids

Children can run a train by pressing a button on the interactive kids layout.
The museum offers STEAM programs for children.

Tips for your visit

For groups of more than 20 people, reserve your museum visit two weeks ahead.
Use Park Boulevard and Space Theater Way as the main cross streets when navigating to the museum.

Interesting facts1

Four local railroad clubs built and maintain the model railroads.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Wikipedia

Shorts

How to get there

ParkingThe museum shares a parking lot with the Fleet Science Center.
On footEnter the Casa de Balboa lobby from the Prado. The museum is on the building’s lower level at 1649 El Prado.

Accessibility

Step-free access Galleries and facilities have wheelchair and mobility-aid access, with ramps and safety railing.
Lift An elevator is in the western part of the Casa de Balboa lobby.

Sources: San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Wikipedia · San Diego/Balboa Park-Hillcrest - Wikivoyage (s… · San Diego Model Railroad Museum · Visit the San Diego Model Railroad Museum — San… · Group Visits — San Diego Model Railroad Museum · San Diego Model Railroad Museum: tickets (its o… · checked 3 Oct 2026

Where

1649 El Prado Balboa Park, CA, San Diego

Website: sdmrm.org/
Phone: 6196960199

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Where can I buy tickets to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum?

Tickets are sold online through the museum’s own website.

Can museum visitors use the San Diego Model Railroad Museum reference library?

Yes. The library is open to museum attendees, but its materials cannot be borrowed.

How can I contact the San Diego Model Railroad Museum?

Call +1 619 696 0199.

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