San Diego Model Railroad Association Youth Program

The San Diego Model Railroad Association Youth Program aims to attract teenagers and pre-teens to the hobby of model railroading. To participate, individuals must be under 18 years old and accompanied by a parent during each session. The program spans nine months and includes specific requirements. In the fourth month, participants must bring a DCC-equipped locomotive and caboose or other rolling stock with an end-of-train device. In the sixth month, participants should bring a DCC controller to operate trains on the layout.

After six months of training, participants will be evaluated for three months and then either join a weekend day crew or be placed on the waiting list for the next available nine-month training program. Those assigned to weekend crews should serve a minimum of three hours once a month. The sessions occur on the first Saturday of each month, except for December and January, from 10 a.m. to noon, one hour before the Museum opens. Activities during each session include a 35-40 minute educational program, a short refreshment break, and an opportunity to operate digital equipment on the SDMRRA layout using panel or engineer-style operations.

The educational part of the program provides a hands-on introduction to HO-scale and O-Scale model railroading. The program covers different types of model railroad equipment and teaches participants how to weigh cars, as well as change wheels and couplers according to Association standards. The program allows a maximum of four new participants and requires pre-registration. Once the program reaches capacity, a waiting list will be maintained to fill any upcoming vacancies.

For more information, interested individuals can contact:

email: sdmrcyouthprog@gmail.com

or call (619) 534-6270.