Old Town Model Railroad Depot

04/17/2020

Forgotten what we look like? Here are some of the details from our layout. Comment below with your favorite part of the Old Town Model Railroad Depot. Even though we can’t see any of you right now, we can still reminisce 😉

04/10/2020

It seems like a lifetime ago that we were welcoming you to our little museum. We miss you all and the sound of trains. Here is an oldie but goodie.

03/14/2020

After much consideration, we have decided to temporarily close on Monday, March 16. Please visit us this weekend to stock up on trains, books, toys, and puzzles. Everything is 10% off. Continue to follow us on social media for train content and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.

03/13/2020

Schools are officially closed. Time to plan for things the kids can do while at home. Stop by our retail space and check out our selection of toys, books, and trains to keep the little ones occupied. We have a 3-year-old at home and totally get it. So we are offering 10% off your entire purchase this weekend (starting today if you can make it there before 5pm). Just mention this post.

WE ARE NOW TEMPORARILY CLOSED. WE WILL KEEP YOU POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

03/13/2020

Given the concerns around COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please be assured that the Old Town Model Railroad Depot is taking proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of our guests and our team. We are monitoring updates from the appropriate government and healthcare authorities.⁠
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We are remaining open during our regular business hours. We will let you know if that changes. Our staff are taking extra precautions to maintain a clean and safe environment for our visitors.⁠
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If you're not feeling well, please stay home - we look forward to seeing you when you're doing better and up to enjoying our museum and store.⁠
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We should all be doing what we can to help slow the spread of this virus so that our healthcare system has a chance to respond to these unforeseen events. Here are a few preventative steps that you can take: ⁠
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-If you're sick, stay home.⁠
-Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms.⁠
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. We're all working on this one!⁠
-Wash your hands frequently and properly - meaning, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, the same amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice - or your favorite train song.⁠
-If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.⁠
-Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces or objects.⁠
-If you must sneeze or cough and have no tissue available, do so in the inside of your elbow, not into your hands or into the air.

03/12/2020

A little moment of Zen on this rainy Thursday morning. 🌨

02/28/2020

Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 engine in Art Deco styling. Body design was by Raymond Loewy in the 1930s, a famous Industrial designer.

02/13/2020

Gimbelim On The Go

Great video by some recent guests! Thanks for the visit.

Have a video or pictures you want to share with us? Tag us in your post and we may feature it on our page.

Last weekend we visited the Old Town Model Railroad Depot! It's a wonderful place to spend 30 minutes with your little train lovers!

02/12/2020

Old Town Model Railroad Attraction Gains New Lease

Thrilled to be featured on NBC 7 San Diego and San Diego Business Journal. Stop in and visit us in person and learn more about what it takes to run this amazing venture.

The Old Town Model Railroad Depot is a highly-detailed, 2,500-square-foot exhibit on San Diego Avenue; its new owners want to put it on the radar of families and give it a second chance at life in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

02/10/2020

Running today: Rock Island SD40-2 engine. Pulling hot metal cars, designed to haul molten steal from furnace to casting. The featured metal car was weathered by our own own manager, @modelrrtips

02/06/2020

Running today: Union Pacific FEF3 northern-class engine, pulling City of San Francisco passenger cars. ➡️➡️ Fun fact: the “elephant ears” stop the smoke from going back into the passenger cars. Stop in and check it out!

02/03/2020

Running today: George Bush Sr. funeral train that toured in 2018.

01/24/2020

Look what we got! San Diego Silver Line Trolley, HO scale DCC + sound for sale! Come in and see it in person.

01/23/2020

Running today: GS4, painted for the American Freedom Train that toured the country in 1976. Raise your hand if you saw it in person 👋

01/21/2020

Every year, the crew at Old Town Model Railroad Depot covers the entire city side of our layout with “snow.” Now it’s time to remove it all. This is halfway through. If you look closely, you can see the shop-vac nozzle. See our Stories for videos of the “snow” removal.

01/13/2020

Running today: Pennsylvania consolidated steam engine (1930s) pulling vintage box cars.

01/12/2020

Enjoyed a great ride on the Balboa Park Railroad 🛤 Visit them on weekends and holidays 11:00am - 4:30pm.

01/08/2020

Running today: The San Diegan! 4-8-8 “Northern” engine with Madison style passenger cars.

12/24/2019

Our Santa travels via caboose. Don't worry...he will still make his way down the chimney. 🎅

12/20/2019

Please note our special holiday hours. Although they both fall on a Tuesday (when we are usually closed), we will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Let us be a part of your holiday plans and maybe you will even start a new holiday tradition.

12/17/2019

Column: How a North Park couple kept the Old Town Model Railroad Depot open for business

Thrilled that the Depot was featured on the cover of the Local section of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pick up a copy or click on the link below. Make sure to check out the wonderful slideshow too!

After one visit to the Old Town Model Railroad Depot, David Lizerbram and Mana Monzavi decided to buy it

12/16/2019

This may not be Radiator Springs, but Mater and Lightning McQueen are making themselves at home at the Depot. Stop in and see if you can find them! 🕵️⁠⠀
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⁠#mater #lighteningmcqueen #pixarcars #sandiego #sandiegomuseums #sandiegotrains #railroading #miniaturetrain #oscale #classictrains #railfans #modeltrainsinstagram #scalemodel #modelrailroader #oldtownsandiego #oldtowndepot #oldtowntrains #oldtownmodelrailroaddepot

12/13/2019

Hot off the presses! Check out the newest edition of San Diego Uptown News for the cover story of our beloved Depot. 📰 🚂

12/12/2019

Texas Special - 9 cars, a-b-b-a setup. Heading around the track and passing our beloved Santa train. Perfect color for the holiday season. 🔺⭐🔺

12/06/2019

Meet Josh, our amazing manager! He is a lifelong model railroader and we are thrilled to have him on the team. Josh is looking forward to showing visitors the layout and sharing his expertise. Visit him at the Depot or on his IG account @modelrrtips 🚂

11/29/2019

Stuffed with turkey? 🦃 Heading out for Black Friday? 😱 Don't forget about Small Business Saturday! 🙌 Head out to all your favorite small businesses on November 30 and show them how much you care. We'll be waiting... 😉

11/22/2019

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa came early this year and brought us a special present! The Old Town Model Railroad Depot is happy to announce that we are under new ownership and will be staying open! Our founder, Gary, will still be around and we all look forward to welcoming you back to celebrate a new chapter in our history.

11/22/2019

Come visit us during the holidays. We are decked out and ready to celebrate.

06/09/2019

Special visitor today! Come see the awesome military trains run!

04/21/2019

Hop on down to the depot for Easter! We are running the Super chief and Challenger Steam engines!

02/24/2019

If you've never before seen the American Orient Express, now's your chance! Drop in!

02/17/2019

Fun day at the Depot! Come see the Burlington Northern, Denver and Rio Grande and Pennsylvania!

02/16/2019

Great News! We have a guest Trainiac today. Drop by and see his neat trains in action!

02/13/2019

Come see what's new at the Depot!

02/10/2019

Old Town Model Railroad Depot will be closing at 5:00 pm until further notice. We look forward to seeing you soon!