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 to Mojave Yard.

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. Building is continuing from Mojave to Tehachapi, with enhancements to the existing layout such as super detailing, as well as completion of scenery at the Loop through Walong.

As of October 2003, we have resumed Time Table/Train Order Operation Sessions. Club one day Time Table Train Order sessions have been held, and are being planned for the coming year. November on Tehachapi and Winter on Tehachapi are two-day operating sessions that invite operators from all over the United States to take over the railroad and operate in real time. We have also added Modern Operations, which consist of today's operation over Tehachapi with the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads, with an occasional Amtrak re-route added in.

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, construction on the railroad begins. Many members go to dinner after making a stop at The Whistle Stop San Diego Model Railroad shop, then after dinner, return 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 new members.  

Prospective members are encouraged to come by on any Tuesday night or weekend during operations, 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 PO Box 122537 San Diego CA 92112. or care of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado, San Diego CA 92101.