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Central Coast Model Railroad
The museum includes an operating 1200 square foot HO scale model railroad that depicts local railroads of San Luis Obispo County. This exhibit models the life and times when the railroads were more directly involved in the economic vitality of local communities and provided the majority of transport for people and freight. The Central Coast Model Railroad depicts portions of the Pacific Coast Railway in the early 1920s and the Southern Pacific Railway in the early 1950s. Visit the model to better see how railroads shaped the growth of San Luis Obispo County.
Videos
Videos by model train enthuiast Jim Zim.
A Tour of the Central Coast Model Railroad (6:56)
Train Ride Through the Central Coast Model Railroad (5:38)
Modeling the Pacific Coast Railway
The Pacific Coast Railway was initially built as a narrow gauge railroad to move people and good form Port Harford (Avila Beach) to San Luis Obispo. The railroad eventually reached as far south as Los Olivos with 76 miles of track.
Our model depicts the Pacific Coast Railway operating near Avila Beach in the early 1920s. The model includes the Harford Pier, Hotel Marre, Port Harford Asphalt Company, the iconic bridge across San Luis Creek, and the town of Avila. The model is based on HON3 scale with Baldwin 2-6-0 locomotives pulling freight cars typical of that time.
Modeling the Southern Pacific Railroad
In 1894 the Southern Pacific had extended their tracks south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. This made it much easier to move people and goods to and from the Central Coast.
Our model depicts the Southern Pacific Railroad from Paso Robles to Surf as it would have been in the early 1950s when railroads were operating both steam and diesel locomotives. Visitors are able to see the industries that the railroad served at that time. Highlights include the Surf Depot, Stenner Creek Bridge, and Price Canyon oil fields. Cuesta Grade and San Luis Obispo are considered works in progress.
Learn more about the model of the Southern Pacific Railway at the SLORRM.
CCMR Membership
The Central Coast Model Railroad is a part of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. To belong to the CCMR, a person must be a museum member. Given the unique nature of the Central Coast Model Railroad, we have our own dues structure and probation period for new members. The dues are $15 per month (which includes $3 per month of SLORRM membership) payable in a three-month interval to cover the probational period. Contact us for more information.
You may also support the development of the model railroad through cash contributions. Your support will help the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum continue its efforts to preserve and interpret California Central Coast Railroading. The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, making your donations tax deductible per the law and your circumstances.
Donate by Mailing a Check
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
1940 Santa Barbara Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
TAX ID 77-0277323
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible.
