Old Town Model Railroad Depot

R A (Rere)

This railroad museums initial entrance was based on donations; it now has an $8 entrance fee and you can go around looking at the trains as many times as you want but if you go outside you are finished with your visit. If you want to reenter the museum you pay the fee again. This place sells all things railroad...books, con ductor hats, train whistles, etc.

Gu Lin

The free admission is over; they now charge for $8. A small museum with a very realistic model of San Diego. Several toy trains running in the entire model city. All buildings come with great details. Only wish there could be more pictures and explanations on the wall.

Dick Leong

The Old Town Model Railroad Depot is worth your time when visiting San Diego’s Old Town. The Old Town Trolley Tour begins and ends its tours (Stop A) in Old Town so there are multiple opportunities to stop by and visit, and admission is included if you are already on the trolley tour. The train display is of trains meandering through any town USA with nostalgic references throughout the display. The diorama is divided in two sections, where one room has trains travelling through the day and the second has the same trains travelling through the night. The buildings and landscaping are constructed with great detail providing you with wonderful visual experience. The staff is friendly, informative and welcoming. It appears that the entire operation is created and managed by model train enthusiasts who want to share what they have created. The self-guided tour can be as quick or slow as you wish with steps up providing views at many levels and perspectives. Photography is allowed and a small wall of train themed items are available for purchase. The visit to the Old Town Model Railroad Depot will not take much of your time but could be one of the fun memories of your visit to San Diego’s Old Town.

Alex & Erika on YouTube

This is an awesome spot. We stumbled upon the Old Town Model Railroad museum after eating lunch in Old Town. Free admission, they just ask for a donation which I would encourage you to make. $5-10 is well worth it. Our 3 year old son could have spent hours in the train museum. He loved it and it was impressive how much detail everything had. You definitely need to check this place out next time you're in Old Town. Check out more on YouTube / Alex & Erika