Model Railroad

by Johnny McDonald

The golden age of train travel might be over, but the never-ending enthusiasm from hobbyists fuels methods of “riding the rails” — in miniature — at Balboa Park’s Model Railroad Museum.

The model railroads on display there are some of the most detailed of all hobbies, beautifully crafted and displayed on a wonderfully detailed layout. These trains are as much an art as they are fun.

Rare American Flyer trains will be the latest feature at the museum, Sept. 18-26. The exhibit will include vintage A.G. Gilbert trains from the 1940s and ’50s on an S gauge two-rail track, featuring moving accessories such as log and cattle loaders.

Nationally, the S scale is one of the fastest growing within model railroading today. It needs only 10 percent more space than HO to operate, tracks better and is easily modeled to prototypical accuracy.

Located in the lower level of the Casa de Balboa Building, the museum is a colorful miniature of railroading history.

“We are the largest model railroad museum operating in North America and have been accredited since December,” said Beth Cain, membership/marketing director.

Touring the 28,000 square feet of tracks, replicas of towns, stations, expansive countrysides and mountains backdrops is like stepping back in history.

“We have 2,000 members, 80 percent of those being family,” Cain said. “We drew a little under 300,000 visitors last year.”

The museum is always exploring new ideas, she said. Recently, it had a symposium about the Harvey Girls and revealed the completion of the Toy Train Gallery.

“The remarkable 3Railer Club of San Diego finished this display within a year’s time,” Cain said. “They have 35 active members still working on other phases of the exhibit, which has over 1,000 feet of track. They completely changed over that section of the building from the concrete up.

“The gallery includes an interactive lay-out for children. Naturally, it’s a kids’ favorite.”

A fascinating feature of the exhibit is the lighting system, installed by the John Case Company. During a 15-minute span, it will create a 24-hour day-to-night change.

The company, by the way, worked on the lighting at Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace.

Overall, the museum features an operating railroad semaphore signal, a Thomas the Tank Engine playroom for children, a San Diego County interactive map that displays traditional railroad lines, a library and a railroad theme gift shop.

Work is constantly being done by specialists in electricity, design, scenery, painting. control panels and computers. There’s much more to it than just turning a switch.

A 30-man force is paid to operate trains from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. The museum is open until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is $5 for adults, free for children under 15.

“I’ve been here five years and the same guys come in day after day,” Cain added. “Many have had some association with the rail industry.

“As for the American Flyer, we don’t have that particular vintage style here. The Flyer is a rarity because people never seemed to save them. We have five different (styles) of trains.

“It’s hard to find books on trains...but they’re making a comeback since the Thomas engines came out.”

It’s a struggle, but the nonprofit museum operates on city and county grants, donations and admissions. It is hoped that the accreditation will add stature to its operational strength.

The museum’s mission is to preserve, research, collect and present the heritage of railroading and model railroading through educational programs and miniature representations of California railroads. It was incorporated in 1980 and opened to the public two years later.

Four nonprofit organizations are permanent exhibitors: San Diego and La Mesa Model Railroad Clubs, Society of N Scale and the 3Rail Club.

Besides the 3-Rail Club’s display, others include a 2,700-square-foot Cabrillo and Southwestern O Scale, a 4,600-square-foot HO scale model of the Southern Pacific-Santa Fe line through Tehachapi Pass and the Pacific Desert Line in N scale.

For additional information, the Balboa Park’s Model Railroad Museum can be reached at (619) 696-0199.