"the word-of-mouth survival guide for PHOENIX parents"
San Diego Model Railroad
1649 El Prado, [at Balboa Park]
San Diego, CA 92101
Parking: free parking
Phone: (619) 696-0199
Hours: T-F 11-4, Sa-Su 11-5
Activities:
Museum/Exhibits
,
Parks & Outings
Review added 5/5/2009
My son loves trains so we had to buy a membership. We can spend hours and hours here - every day if my son lets us. The largest indoor model train museum in the country. My son climbs up the platforms and watches the different trains go by. He lets me know if they are steam, diesel, intermodal, etc... They have a lot of little details on their set-ups. Hobos sitting by a campfire under a railroad trellis, a man sitting on a toilet reading the newspaper (inside one of the buildings), a fair, etc... Most of the set-ups are reproductions of actual railroad scenes (bridges, tunnels, etc...)
The staff there consist of younger railroad enthusiasts to older retirees. They are all good with the kids and almost always make the train whistle make noise at my son's request. Occasionally one of them will let my son run the trains.
He loves the room where there are buttons where he can run the trains (I think it is the O scale room). They also have a camera mounted on top of one of the trains which is always a big hit with all the kids there.
This place is a real local treasure.
Review added 10/20/2008
I went here all my life, and i plan to take my son soon. Trains are awesome and this place is the best!
Review added 5/11/2008
The kids loved it and so did I. Not expensive at all. Balboa Park is a great place to be.
Review added 9/29/2005
If your children love trains (and adults also) this is a great place to spend an afternoon. There are many different track set ups from miniatures to the larger toy trains. The staff are very nice especially to the kids. They also have a small room with Thomas train tables so the little ones can play. It is within Balboa Park which is another perk. You can grab lunch and walk the park after your visit.
Review added 9/18/2005
My kids could spend all day here. The gift shop is very kid unfriendly though.
San Diego Model Railroad San Diego, CA - San Diego Model Railroad Museum/Exhibits, Parks & Outings - San Diego Model Railroad Reviews