San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum is the one accredited mannequin railroad museum within the nation. This distinctive attraction has 5 everlasting displays that show scale fashions of working locomotives, tracks, gear, life like surroundings, and extra in miniature representations of actual California railroads.
A distinct railroad membership or native mannequin prepare skilled operates every of those everlasting displays:
- The Tehachapi Move
- The Cabrilla Southwestern and San Diego & Arizona Japanese
- The Centennial Railway Backyard
- Pacific Desert Strains
- The Toy Prepare GalleryÂ
Plus, you’ll see a rotating exhibit which will function objects from the museum’s assortment or different facets of mannequin railroading and American rail historical past.
You’ll discover the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum in Balboa Park, one of many greatest locations to go to in San Diego, the place there are 16 different museums, a number of gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. Search for the Casa de Balboa constructing on El Prado — the Museum of Photographic Arts and Museum of San Diego Historical past are right here, too.
Highlights
Listed below are some highlights of the museum:
- Operating trains: The Toy Prepare Gallery has working toy trains on a 3 rail O gauge observe, rated the most effective ten layouts by Traditional Toy Trains journal in 2012.
- Monumental dioramas: Roughly 1500 sq. ft, you may see a reproduction of the Pacific Desert Strains structure within the unique 1855 route that was by no means constructed. It’s 1/one hundred and sixtieth scale and exhibits off not simply the trains however the gorgeous California panorama.
- Landscapes and surroundings: There are a lot of prepare route replicas you may see, together with the Cabrillo Southwestern and San Diego & Arizona Japanese, and the Tehachapi Move. These shows function the trains but additionally go into beautiful element in regards to the native landscapes.Â
- Particulars within the structure and decorations: Every mannequin exactly replicates the route the prepare took and likewise contains minute particulars on the trains themselves.
- Historical past and schooling: Every show goes into the historical past of the rail line, holding the historical past of the world and the trains alive.
Prime 5 Issues To Know Concerning the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum
After all, the museum is a no brainer if you happen to or your loved ones adores touring by prepare. Nonetheless, earlier than you head there, we’ve got a few ideas for what to know in regards to the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum earlier than you go.
Hours and Admission
San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum tickets are priced as follows:
- Adults: $13.50
- Seniors, Navy, and College students (ages 12-17 and 18+ with a sound pupil ID): $9
- Kids ages 3–12: $6
- Kids ages 2 and youthful: Free
In case you’re a resident of San Diego County, you and your loved ones can go to free of charge each first Tuesday of the month.Â
Two Sightseeing Move Decisions
Bundle admission to San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum (SDMRM) with different sights throughout San Diego or simply in Balboa Park.
Go San Diego Move
Each the All-Inclusive and Explorer sightseeing passes embody SDMRM and over 50 different San Diego sights.
Use promo code lajollamom for 10% off via December 31, 2022.
Balboa Park Explorer Move
This cross contains 16 collaborating Balboa Park Museums.
Select certainly one of three cross choices that embody a Parkwide Move good for seven consecutive days, an Annual Move (greatest for residents), or a Restricted Move that features any 4 collaborating venues good for someday.
You’ll be able to go to the museum Tuesday via Sunday, 11 a.m-4 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Non permanent Displays
Though the museum has everlasting displays, the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum will typically host a touring or non permanent exhibit.
These displays change all year long, however previous displays have centered on sure facets of trains, such because the pastime of constructing mannequin trains and the assorted passenger automobiles all through historical past.Â
You’ll be able to verify the exhibit checklist to see what the non permanent exhibit will likely be throughout your go to.
Library and Reward Store
When you’ve explored the displays, you may head to the library for extra data or the reward store to purchase souvenirs.
The San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum has a small however increasing library. We’re speaking over 10,000 books, magazines, maps, catalogs, and a lot extra overlaying railroading in America, with emphasis on the Southwest and Southern California.
There may be additionally an internet library and ebook donation web page do you have to wish to contribute to the gathering. Because the museum tries to protect the artwork of mannequin prepare constructing, they’re working in the direction of a digital archive as effectively.Â
Workshops, Summer season Camps & Instructional Sources
If you’re a neighborhood, benefit from extra than simply the free Tuesday ticket worth. The San Diego Mannequin Rail Highway Museum additionally presents a faculty workshop for center faculties and excessive faculties. The workshop focuses on grade-appropriate studying and assessment video games and the historical past of the railroad business.Â
You’ll be able to enroll your children in summer time camps obtainable via the museum as effectively. These camps meet on the museum and undergo the fundamentals of prepare constructing. They delve into the historical past of the trains within the space and discover the dioramas additional.Â
Don’t neglect to take a look at their instructional sources, as these printables are enjoyable for visiting households, too.
- Print the self-guided museum tour earlier than you go. Children might get pleasure from filling within the STEAM-centric questions and the crossword puzzle.
- Print the museum enjoyable info to note issues within the shows you might not know to search for and extra.
Different Issues To Do within the Balboa Park Space
Plan to spend an hour or so, relying in your degree of curiosity, on the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum. Nonetheless, you may plan a whole day at Balboa Park.
Seventeen museums make up Balboa Park, together with the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum. When you’ve checked out your fill of prepare automobiles, you may head to a different museum, seize lunch at certainly one of our favourite Balboa Park eating places, browse the gardens, and even pop into the Zoo. Both manner, there may be a lot to do close by.
Why We Love the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum
The San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum is unquestionably one of many Park’s hidden gems. After all, younger prepare lovers and collectors will get probably the most enjoyment out of this museum. Nonetheless, go to even when your children don’t rave about trains. When you have one of many sightseeing passes that I like to recommend, there’s no cause to not pop in.
The museum can be particular as a result of you may adapt the data to any age. A toddler may merely get pleasure from watching the trains go by within the dioramas. An older child can perform a little research and be taught in regards to the historical past of a selected prepare or the pastime of constructing mannequin railroads. Adults might recognize the intelligent manner of mixing STEAM subjects, the historical past of California railroads, and enjoyable collectively in a novel museum expertise.
Once more, the most effective elements is the eye to element. Transferring mannequin trains whiz via fantastically painted landscapes on traditionally correct prepare routes — in each indoor and out of doors settings.
Last Ideas
Subsequent time you might be in Balboa Park, cease by the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum. The expertise is greater than definitely worth the worth of admission.Â