Old Town Model Railroad Depot

07/19/2021

❗New Hours Alert❗ We are changing our hours and will be open Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 6pm. No reservations needed. ⁠
⁠
Take a break from the heat this weekend and visit us in Old Town, San Diego. We are waiting to greet you at the Depot.

https://oldtowntrains.com/visit

❗New Hours Alert❗ We are changing our hours and will be open Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 6pm. No reservations needed. ⁠
⁠
Take a break from the heat this weekend and visit us in Old Town, San Diego. We are waiting to greet you at the Depot.

https://oldtowntrains.com/visit

07/12/2021

Seeking a part-time Museum Guide to welcome guests, guiding them through the exhibit, and assisting with admissions, donations, and retail sales.

Old Town Model Railroad Depot is a museum and retail store dedicated to model trains. We serve locals as well as tourists from around the world.

The Depot is great fun for kids of all ages and we are looking for a friendly, positive Museum Guide who will enjoy interacting with people and learning about model trains (if you are not already an enthusiast).

Museum Guide duties and responsibilities include working closely with customers to determine their needs, answer their questions about our products and recommend the right solutions.

You should be able to promptly resolve customer complaints and ensure maximum client satisfaction.

To be successful as a Museum Guide, you should stay up-to-date with the products we offer and maintain our museum's visual appearance in high standards.

Ultimately, the duties of a sales associate are to achieve excellent customer service, while consistently meeting the museum's sales goals.

07/04/2021

Today we celebrate the 245th year of our nation’s independence! Come down and see what trains are running today in Old Town. Have a safe and fun holiday!
•
We are open till 5pm today.

05/25/2021

⭐ Enter our weekly giveaway for a Family Membership to the Old Town Model Railroad Depot in Old Town, San Diego. ⭐

Winning is easy! Simply visit us and show us proof of full vaccination and you can enter to win. We select a winner weekly, so there will be lots of opportunities to enter.

Your membership will be good for an entire year and includes free admission for your household (2 adults, up to 4 kids). If you already have a membership, we will allow you to gift your winning membership.

Reminder that we are open Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 7pm. Hope to see you soon!

⭐ Enter our weekly giveaway for a Family Membership to the Old Town Model Railroad Depot in Old Town, San Diego. ⭐

Winning is easy! Simply visit us and show us proof of full vaccination and you can enter to win. We select a winner weekly, so there will be lots of opportunities to enter.

Your membership will be good for an entire year and includes free admission for your household (2 adults, up to 4 kids). If you already have a membership, we will allow you to gift your winning membership.

Reminder that we are open Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 7pm. Hope to see you soon!

05/21/2021

It’s National Bike to Work Day! What if you live too far from your work to bike? A bike is the best way to accomplish that last mile while commuting by train. Check your local trains to see if they allow bikes onboard.

It’s National Bike to Work Day! What if you live too far from your work to bike? A bike is the best way to accomplish that last mile while commuting by train. Check your local trains to see if they allow bikes onboard.

05/09/2021

I would like to introduce myself. I’m Mana. 👋 My husband, David, and I own the Old Town Model Railroad Depot. I’m also a mother to this amazing 4-year-old. We want to wish all the mothers out there a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thank you for believing in us and supporting us through all the ups and downs in life. Including when we had the crazy idea to buy a train museum in November of 2019. ❤️ Hope to see you all at the museum soon. Reach out if you have any questions. 🚂

I would like to introduce myself. I’m Mana. 👋 My husband, David, and I own the Old Town Model Railroad Depot. I’m also a mother to this amazing 4-year-old. We want to wish all the mothers out there a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thank you for believing in us and supporting us through all the ups and downs in life. Including when we had the crazy idea to buy a train museum in November of 2019. ❤️ Hope to see you all at the museum soon. Reach out if you have any questions. 🚂

05/06/2021

We THANK all of our nurses on National Nurses Day and everyday for all of their hard work. We are grateful for what you do and for getting us through the toughest year imaginable. 🙏 ❤️ 👨‍⚕️👩🏻‍⚕️

We THANK all of our nurses on National Nurses Day and everyday for all of their hard work. We are grateful for what you do and for getting us through the toughest year imaginable. 🙏 ❤️ 👨‍⚕️👩🏻‍⚕️

04/30/2021

We got some goodies in the mail! We are pleased to say we’ve added a new Lionel Legacy system to our museum, expanding our DCS base. ⁠
⁠
What does this mean? It means we get to run more trains for visitors that are different, and change out locomotives more often! ⁠
⁠
This is also a great addition for our volunteers that operate on our layout to run equipment they haven’t had a chance to! Make sure to come by and see what trains are running as they can be different each day you come. ⁠
⁠
Annual memberships are now available to locals and returning out of town guests! - Ask at the front desk.⁠

We got some goodies in the mail! We are pleased to say we’ve added a new Lionel Legacy system to our museum, expanding our DCS base. ⁠
⁠
What does this mean? It means we get to run more trains for visitors that are different, and change out locomotives more often! ⁠
⁠
This is also a great addition for our volunteers that operate on our layout to run equipment they haven’t had a chance to! Make sure to come by and see what trains are running as they can be different each day you come. ⁠
⁠
Annual memberships are now available to locals and returning out of town guests! - Ask at the front desk.⁠

04/19/2021

The Old Town Model Railroad Depot is finally back open to the public

We are open! Good Morning San Diego recently aired a piece about our reopening and our unique history.

As many of you remember, we purchased the museum in November 2019, right before it was due to close forever. A few months later, the pandemic started and we had to shut down. With the support of the community, our employees, and loyal visitors/shoppers, we have been able to survive and reopen our doors.

Stop by and say hi to us Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 7pm.

Learn about visiting or shopping online: https://www.oldtowntrains.com/

04/14/2021

We are hiring a part-time Museum Guide! Join our wonderful team. Model train knowledge is not required. We will happily share our love of the hobby with you. Tag someone who might be interested!

Apply today: https://indeedhi.re/3wVyzMv⁠

Start date: Early May 2021

We are hiring a part-time Museum Guide! Join our wonderful team. Model train knowledge is not required. We will happily share our love of the hobby with you. Tag someone who might be interested!

Apply today: https://indeedhi.re/3wVyzMv⁠

Start date: Early May 2021

03/30/2021

Old Town Model Railroad Depot updated their business hours.

Old Town Model Railroad Depot updated their business hours.

03/30/2021

Old Town Model Railroad Depot updated their website address.

Old Town Model Railroad Depot updated their website address.

03/30/2021

Old Town Model Railroad Depot updated their phone number.

Old Town Model Railroad Depot updated their phone number.

03/25/2021

Great news! We are now open Thursday - Sunday from 11am - 7pm. Get out of the rain today and pay us a visit. For more info: https://www.oldtowntrains.com/visit/

03/17/2021

We are happy to announce our reopening to the general public! The trains are running and the snow is still on the city side of our layout. Come enjoy it before it "melts" away in early April.

We are at limited capacity (25%) and masks are mandatory.

HOURS:
Friday - Sunday
11:00am - 7:00pm

ADMISSION:
Adults: $10
Kids (2-14): $5
Under 2: Free
Seniors / Military Discount: 10% off

We are also still offering our Private Experiences, so if you prefer to have the museum to yourself, please book a visit on our website.

To plan your visit: https://www.oldtowntrains.com/visit/

02/08/2021

Private Model Train Display | Old Town Model Railroad Depot

You can now book a Private Experience for you and your household (up to 6 people) on our website!

Reserve Now: https://bit.ly/3q34k2m
⁠
Friday - Sunday | 11am - 7pm⁠
⁠
Each private visit will last 45 minutes and you will have the whole place to yourself! Our staff will sanitize before and after each visit and everyone over 2 years old is required to wear a mask. This is the only way to see our trains in action as the museum remains closed to the general public.⁠

Reserve Now: https://bit.ly/3q34k2m
⁠
Call us if you have any questions. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you for a retail visit or a Private Experience soon.

As of July 2nd, the Old Town Model Railroad Depot will be opening its model train museum and train gifts shop on a private reservation basis. Book now!

01/29/2021

Old Town Model Railroad Depot

Happy #InternationalPuzzleDay (1/29/21)- We've got a new shipment of puzzles and we are ready to celebrate. Shop our entire collection on our website.

01/27/2021

Did you miss us? We've got shipments of new inventory and we are ready to reopen! Our retail store is opening its doors again this Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 7pm. Come visit us, say hi, and pick up some new trains, puzzles, books, or toys. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Starting next week we will be open Friday - Sunday from 11am - 7pm.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Unfortunately, our museum side remains closed. We hope to start those engines soon. ⁠Stay tuned!

Did you miss us? We've got shipments of new inventory and we are ready to reopen! Our retail store is opening its doors again this Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 7pm. Come visit us, say hi, and pick up some new trains, puzzles, books, or toys. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Starting next week we will be open Friday - Sunday from 11am - 7pm.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Unfortunately, our museum side remains closed. We hope to start those engines soon. ⁠Stay tuned!

01/13/2021

Our physical location is temporarily close, but you can still shop online!

Our doors are closed, but our love for trains is still here. For now, please visit our website to shop online. Your purchases will allow us to remain in business and welcome you back again when it is appropriate. ⁠
⁠
SHOP: http://bit.ly/3oGxzHG
⁠
Even though we are closed, we are still adding new inventory to our online shop.

12/24/2020

Merry Christmas! Santa is on his way. Hope all the good girls and boys (and grownups) out there get everything they wished for this year. Ho! Ho! Ho! 🎅⁠
⁠
Even though our doors are closed for now, we are still thinking of you all and looking forward to seeing you in 2021.

12/17/2020

This weekend is your last chance to shop in person at the Depot. ⁠
⁠
🎁 Open Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 5pm. 🎁 ⁠
⁠
We will then be closing our doors till January. Stay tuned on social media for reopening updates.⁠
⁠
Don't worry though, you will still be able to shop on our website: https://bit.ly/2KDXPmA

In fact, we appreciate every sale and all the support you can give us during this time.

12/09/2020

Looking for a train for around the Christmas tree? 🎄 We've still got a few sets left! Visit the link below to choose a beautiful train set that will last you for many years to come! ⁠

Shop train sets now: https://bit.ly/3gthG3Y

12/08/2020

CA lockdown update: Our museum is still closed and our retail hours will be reduced till the end of year. Scroll down for our open days/hours. Your support in-store and online is vital to our survival, so please take this time to shop local this holiday season! We appreciate it!⁠

Shop now: https://www.oldtowntrains.com/shop/
⁠
Store hours:

Saturday 12/13: 11am - 5pm⁠
Sunday 12/14: 11am - 5pm⁠
⁠
Saturday 12/19: 11am - 5pm⁠
Sunday 12/20: 11am - 5pm⁠
⁠
We will be closed for the rest of December and hope to welcome you all back in 2021. ⁠
⁠
#shoplocal #shoplocalsd #shopsmallsandiego #buylocalsd #traingifts

11/27/2020

Guess what? We have a Black Friday / Small Business Saturday / Museum Store Sunday / and Cyber Monday sale too! Pick a day this weekend and come visit us—online or in person—to take advantage of 15% off our entire store. Time to check off your gift list. Prices as marked.

Shop: https://www.oldtowntrains.com/shop/

Use code: HOLIDAYTRAIN15
⁠
🎁 Trains 🎁 Toys 🎁 Books 🎁 Automobiles 🎁 Apparel 🎁 Home Goods 🎁 and more! ⁠
⁠
Discount expires November 30, 2020.

11/26/2020

Today we look back at 2020 and express our thanks to all of you that have continued to support us through these difficult times. We are grateful for your understanding as we try to adjust along with the daily changes we face. Your generosity is what will get us through this. The best way to support us is to shop at our store (in person or online) and make a donation if you can:

https://www.oldtowntrains.com/donate/
⁠
We thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.⁠
⁠
Reminder: Our entire store is 15% off till 11/30.

11/11/2020

The State of California has moved San Diego into the Purple Tier. Per the new guidelines we are no longer allowing museum visits starting this Saturday. ⁠
⁠
Our retail space will remain open at 25% capacity and we encourage you to stop in or visit our store online https://www.oldtowntrains.com/shop/. Your support of our retail space will help us continue to support our employees. ⁠
⁠
If you made a Private Experience reservation, we will contact you and issue you a refund. ⁠
⁠
We encourage everyone to continue wearing masks and following the guidelines so that we can all get back to doing what we enjoy the most—running and watching trains!

11/06/2020

Plan Your Visit

You can now visit our museum WITHOUT booking a Private Experience! We are limiting the number of people inside and following all state guidelines. Visit our website for hours and admission prices. ⁠

https://www.oldtowntrains.com/visit/
⁠
If you prefer to book the whole museum for you and your group of up to 10 people, we are still offering Private Experiences. The museum will be sanitized before your visit and will include perks such as a private tour guide and a chance to run the trains yourself. These can be booked on our website. ⁠
⁠
COVID-19 Update: We are monitoring San Diego's case numbers closely and will let you know of our status next week if we are moved back into the Purple Tier by the state.

11/02/2020

Have you spotted any of the polling places in our layout? Here’s one at our Dance Hall.

If you haven’t voted yet, this is your friendly reminder that tomorrow is Election Day. 🇺🇸 🗳

#election2020 #elections2020 #pollingplace #vote #vote2020 #modeltrains #modelrailroad #sandiegomuseum #sandiego #oldtownsd #oldtownsandiego #oldtowntrains

10/23/2020

Awesome Autumn! 36 Fantastic Fall Activities for Families

Looking for things to do this Fall? Check out Red Tricycle's top picks. Pay special attention to #26...it's US!! 🚂

Hay rides, corn mazes, festive events, and the best donuts and hot cocoa... we've got all the details that'll make you fall for autumn.

10/22/2020

See the trains in action!

Come see the trains in person! Book your Private Visit on our website: https://bit.ly/2G4YfQL

Reserve the whole museum for you and your group of up to 10 people. This is the only way to see the trains in action and your chance to take the controls and run the trains. We look forward to hosting your next outing. Choo choo!

10/16/2020

Train Engineer Role Play Sets | Old Town Model Railroad Depot - Old Town Model Railroad Depot

Looking for the perfect Halloween costume for your little train engineer? Look no further than this adorable Melissa & Doug Train Engineer set.⁠ Perfect edition to the dress-up chest for years of use.

Buy now: https://bit.ly/3lUDM0N

Don’t let the train leave the station without fully equipping your little engineer-in-training! Wearing this machine-washable overall smock and hat, complete with the requisite hammer and wrench, train schedule, walkie-talkie with sound effects and a name tag, your child is ready for adventures on...

10/04/2020

Ask any San Diegan what their favorite taco shop is and you will get a very specific answer. Ours happens to be Tippy's Tacos in our layout. The carne asada tacos are out of this world! ⁠
⁠
If you haven't already celebrated #NationalTacoDay , now's the time! Let us know in the comments below what/where your favorite taco shop is. 🌮

10/02/2020

Old Town Model Railroad Museum

Check us out on FOX 5 San Diego talking about our special museum and our Private Experiences.

Book a visit: https://bit.ly/2G4YfQL

Here is your chance to have the museum all to yourself! You can book an interactive, 45-minute visit for you and your group (up to 10 people). We will sanitize between each group and provide you with a safe and wonderful experience. You will even have the opportunity to learn and run the trains on your own.

Book a visit: https://bit.ly/2G4YfQL

A look at a special museum experience right in the heart of Old Town.