Layouts to Visit in WA, OR or CA?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone suggest any publicly accessible garden layouts in the above states.

My missus is showing interest in seeing what others are doing. And I'd be keen to meet with anyone who is running MTS.

If you have a layout you'd be interesting in sharing, please email me direct.

Thanks

[Curmudgeon]

Most folks in the wetter climes up in the Pacific Northwest abhor track power.

I know of no-one up in my neck of the woods running it outdoors, only one trying dcc outdoors....

I hear there are some near Portland on track power, but the only MTS users I know of up here are indoors.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Nic,

There are a few here:
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/003/398yqhqc.asp

[Curmudgeon]

Southern California, yes, Oregon, one, open twice a month.
Washington, none.


That said, when?

If we get you into contact with the local clubs, there are probably several or many you can see.

When you get to the real ones, with self-contained power, and the owners don't have to spend hours in track cleaning, we can just open the door, turn on the power on the loco, and go.

I have ops sessions first and third Fridays.....

TOC

[Rene Schweitzer]

you're right, TOC. It will be easy to get in touch with the clubs. I have all the contact info, or you can search online:
http://www.gardentrains.org/gta/community/clubs/clubs.asp

[ttrigg]

Nic;

If you get down to the San Diego area there are a several very good GRRs in our area.

In Balboa Park, (downtown SD) the San Diego Area Model Railroads have several LARGE layouts (N through G scales) that are open to the public (for a fee, ~$7) (their website is down)

My favorite is out in Poway (western suburb of SD) Walter Anderson's Nursery. A nursery that sells and displays LGB. Have a look at their website.
Http://www.walterandersen.com/

Quail Botanical gardens (~$5 ticket) has a large layout.
http://www.qbgardens.com/

Travel times to each from the SD Airport; Balboa Park about 20 min south, Quail Botanical about 20 min north, Anderson's about an hour west east and north.

About an hour north of San Diego on Interstate 15, is a town called Perris. There is a good sized operating museum. (they claim to be the worlds largest operating museum)
Http://www.oerm.org/

In the Los Angeles area, at the fairgrounds there is (was?) a good sized layout, but have not been there myself.

[vsmith]

LA...the Fairplex layout is good, check with them to see when they operate http://www.fgrr.org/

Living Desert is supposed to be really good thou I havent made it out there yet
http://www.livingdesert.org/exhibits/model_train.asp

[Anonymous]

Thanks Everyone.

I will do some more digging with the links provided!

Looks like it will be a busy trip