AStonesThrow 3 days ago

Not to detract from this lovely semi-private endeavor, but if you find yourself on the left coast instead, why not treat your family to a whistle stop at the San Diego MRM in historic Balboa Park?

https://www.sdmrm.org/yourvisit

While you’re there, you will also need to hop on the Miniature [but human-scale] Railroad that adjoins the San Diego Zoo! Cock-a-doodle-doo! https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/activities/miniature-train

Bonus siding: roll north on Park Blvd a few miles, and get on board with Frank the Train Man, aka JA Cooley! https://www.jacooleymuseum.com/

My own grandpa was a pipe-fitter on the freight lines. He was the sole/chief machinist in his basement workshop where I vroomed around on a Big Wheel. He built for me an HO-scale figure 8 track with a locomotive that featured a functional smokestack.

  • bombcar 3 days ago

    Of course if you’re already there you might take an excursion from Campo - https://www.psrm.org/hours/

    • AStonesThrow 3 days ago

      Campo! Wow! That is some "colorful" terrain! Campo is a mere 2mi north of the Mexican border. Campo is in the middle of nowhere. Yet when you arrive in Campo, you will discover that you are still in San Diego County.

      Campo: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZwS59ScedbrBwVDn7

      Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yzsiAnyMK1ryi7Kh9

      Thankfully, there's a museum in La Mesa near San Diego State. The only human-sized train ride in La Mesa is the San Diego Trolley, but still impressive.

      La Mesa: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1JfLY5NxSmLCLRc48

      What a sight to behold. I've never been to Campo or its railways, but I've been... well, no, I've never driven close to Campo. Good luck, trainspotters!

  • browningstreet 3 days ago

    Bay Area:

    There are large model trains to see in Pt Richmond and Walnut Creek. There are trains to ride in Tilden Park.

CSMastermind 3 days ago

It's interesting to me that the Wall Street Journal still maintains a comment section under its articles.

neilknowsbest 3 days ago

Model trains and New Jersey? I assumed it was about Northlandz [0]. I haven't been there in several decades, but I guess it's still in business. Very neat.

[0] - https://northlandz.com/

jmclnx 3 days ago

Nice to hear something good happening for a change. I am not into model trains, but friends of mine are. Glad that impressive setup should be saved.

huhkerrf 3 days ago

Hey, is that Bobby Baccalieri's garage?

  • erredois 3 days ago

    It matches my timeline, as I just finished the last season.

  • W-Stool 3 days ago

    Excellent Sopranos reference.