La Mesa Model Railroad Club

The club layout represents the joint Southern Pacific/Santa Fe railroad from Bakersfield to Mojave, California of the 1950's. The current layout consists of the area from the Southern Pacific Bakersfield Yard through the famous Tehachapi Loop.

After 2 1/2 years of major construction to build the mezzanine and public viewing area, we are now in high gear to finish the dream started over 20 years ago – building the best ever historical model railroad! Current projects include building switches, installing benchwork, adding details, buildings and scenery, adding to our rolling stock and wiring new railroad for DCC. The areas currently being added are Bena to Sandcut, and a New Mojave yard, as well as additional storage for our locomotives and rolling stock.

As of October 2003, we have resumed Time Table/Train Order Operation Sessions. We have had 4 successful two-day operation events since 2004, and are looking forward to an expanded and enhanced railroad for our annual “November on Tehachapi”, to be held on November 10-11, 2007, Veteran’s Day weekend. If you would like more information, please go to opsontehachapi.com, where you can see photos of past operations and sign up for future operation events.

La Mesa Model Railroad Club is located inside the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, in the Casa De Balboa building in Balboa Park, San Diego, California.  The museum is open Tuesday through Friday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Tuesdays are special days for the club. After operation ceases, many members meet at the Whistle Stop Model Railroad Shop on Fourth Avenue for browsing, then proceed to one of the many restaurants that populate the community of Hillcrest. After dinner, members return to the museum and club to spend several hours working on the railroad. In March, June, September and December on the Second Tuesday are Business Meeting, where the various departments report to the membership what was accomplished during the last quarter, discuss enhancements and building of the layout, and discuss membership issues.  

Prospective members are encouraged to come by on any Tuesday night, and if further interested are invited to submit applications for the next Business Meeting.  Teenagers are welcomed, but must be 13 years old to become youth associates.  Under 13 should have a parent or guardian become an adult associate, and then may participate as long as the parent or guardian is present.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at lamesaclub@att.net, phone 619-233-8269, or by mail at La Mesa Model Railroad Club, C/O San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, California 92101.