2023 Railroad Festival at the Museum
Central Coast Railroad Festival
For a complete Central Coast Railroad Festival (CCRRF) Schedule (including events at other venues at other dates and times), click here.
Parking is limited at the Museum. Additional free parking is available Saturday ONLY about four blocks south of the Museum along South Street at the Unitarian Church, 2201 Lawton Avenue (see an aerial view). A narrow entrance-only driveway is off Lawton and the main parking lot in/out driveway is off Meadow. It's less than 10 minutes to walk.
3-Day Schedule
This schedule is subject to change so please check back as the Festival approaches. Last updated 9/18/23.Friday, October 6, 2023
10am-4pm
Festival Information Headquarters ONLY (no special activities or exhibits). Regular admission: $5/adult, $3/child (4-15), members free. The Central Coast Model Railroad will be open.
4pm-6pm
Happy Hour Fundraiser at the House of Bread Cafe, story/photos
Saturday, October 7, 2023
10:00 AM
1. Museum Opens, $5/adult, $3/child (4-15), members free
2. Operation Lifesaver table
3. Model Layout Open (CCMR). New this year: 1. the industrial area of south San Luis Obispo will be completed and sceniced (stock yards, large salvage yard and bulk storage areas for Union Oil and Richfield Gas, 2. A display of current passenger trains will have been installed, and 3. most visible, the now-sceniced horshoe curve as the railroad climbs to Cuesta pass.
4. Bob Wilson's hands-on model railroad layout
5. Railroad Vendors and Displays on the Platform
6. Kids' Train Table and Play Area
7. G-scale Layout on the platform by members of the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society
8. Neil Fernbaugh's Timesaver Switching Puzzle, try your luck...
9. Santa Maria Valley Railroad, table on platform
2. Operation Lifesaver table
3. Model Layout Open (CCMR). New this year: 1. the industrial area of south San Luis Obispo will be completed and sceniced (stock yards, large salvage yard and bulk storage areas for Union Oil and Richfield Gas, 2. A display of current passenger trains will have been installed, and 3. most visible, the now-sceniced horshoe curve as the railroad climbs to Cuesta pass.
4. Bob Wilson's hands-on model railroad layout
5. Railroad Vendors and Displays on the Platform
6. Kids' Train Table and Play Area
7. G-scale Layout on the platform by members of the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society
8. Neil Fernbaugh's Timesaver Switching Puzzle, try your luck...
9. Santa Maria Valley Railroad, table on platform
10:25 AM
Presentation to Winning Photographers, see the Winners
10:30 AM
Presentation: "Right Of Way & Trackside Details" by Bob Chaparro. This is a presentation on exploring the use of details as a means to make your layout a more complete, interesting, and unique model railroad environment. Details exist without the presence of a train yet are "railroady." Details add realism, completeness, and atmosphere beyond the trains and structures, convey to visitors your railroad is a miniature transportation system, reinforce prototype or freelance railroad practice, and are simple and sometimes subtle. Many photographic examples of prototype details will be presented.
11:00 AM
Music by Ted Waterhouse on the Platform (one hour).
11:30 AM
Railroad BBQ Co., food service until 2pm. Payments accepted: cash, Venmo, and Velle. No credit cards.
Cold drinks will be available for purchase from the Museum.
Cold drinks will be available for purchase from the Museum.
12:00 PM
History of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad: History dictates our present and is our guide for the future, presentation by Rob Himoto, President, Santa Maria Valley Railroad
12:39 PM
Today's Amtrak Train Activity just off the Museum platform
12:39pm Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner northbound arrives
2:52pm Amtrak's Coast Starlight northbound arrives/departs
3:24pm Amtrak's Coast Starlight southbound arrives/departs
4:12pm Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner southbound departs
12:39pm Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner northbound arrives
2:52pm Amtrak's Coast Starlight northbound arrives/departs
3:24pm Amtrak's Coast Starlight southbound arrives/departs
4:12pm Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner southbound departs
1:00 PM
Music by Ted Waterhouse on the Platform (one hour).
1:00 PM
Presentation: "The Lighthouse at Point San Luis" by Kathy Mastako. Her new book by the same title chronicles the colorful history of the iconic landmark. She'll share some of the short, but true, stories...2-4 PM
Pickup Online Auction Winnings and pre-ordered BBQ Dinners, ends promptly at 4pm. Details...
2:15 PM
CCRRF Coloring Contest Winner Drawing, contest details.
4:00 PM
Museum Closes
Sunday, October 8, 2023
10am-4pm
Festival Information Headquarters ONLY (no special activities or exhibits). Regular admission: $5/adult, $3/child (4-15), members free. The Central Coast Model Railroad will be open.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
11am-9pm
Sunset Wine/Rail Excursion to Santa Barbara, details...
2023 Railroad Festival Photos
