The San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association (SLOMRA) and the Oceano Depot Association will present their fifth annual Model Railroad Days on Jan. 28 and 29. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Oceano Depot, 1650 Front St. in Oceano.
A wide variety of operating model trains will be on display. The entire depot will be open to display its unique artifacts from Oceano and the adjacent railroad. A new addition this year will be the Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum’s operating 15-foot-long HO-scale module, which depicts the original Santa Maria Valley Railway train yard. The SLOMRA will be showcasing several of its new and improved layout modules. The Oceano Depot’s recently restored 1907 wooden caboose, which houses the Depot’s own HO layout, will also be open.
Children will receive free gifts from Amtrak and Operation Lifesaver, and a model train yard sale will feature great deals on new and used model railroad items. Attendees will be able to take advantage of new member specials if they sign up for a SLOMRA membership on site.
There will be hot dogs, drinks, and popcorn for sale by the depot volunteers. Tours of the entire depot, including historical displays in the waiting room and office, will be offered. The event is not only a fundraiser, but also an opportunity to share the history of trains and modeling with the community.
For more information, visit slomra.org or oceanodepot.org.
This article appears in Jan 19-26, 2012.
