If you're looking for previous schedules:
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022

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Our 13th Festival!

October 6-8, 2023

Not all venues are open all days and times. Please read the schedule carefully for days/times that each venue is open.

Actually, some events start in September, but the Festival proper is October 6-8, 2023.

These schedules are subject to change so please check back as the Festival approaches.

Last Updated: 10/5/23

2-Page Printable Schedule: here

You might want to join our mailing list to receive Festival news: click here. We send about one announcement email per month. See history.

Photos: If you get some good photos at Festival venues and activities, please share them with us for use on this website, with proper credit, of course. Send them to: webman@CCRRF.com.

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Entire Area

Model Railroad Layout Tour 2023

• Thanks to Bob Chaparro and the Model Railroads of Southern California for organizing this tour again this year!
• Thursday through Sunday
• Each railroad has its own open day(s) and time(s)
• Detailed Tour (PDF), last updated 10/4/23
• There are about 30 layouts at 20 locations
• From Paso Robles to Santa Maria
• Most are Free (see details for exceptions)
• Self-guided

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SLO County-Wide

Coloring Contest at all San Luis Obispo County Library Locations

• Win round-trip Amtrak tickets (Surfliner) for five from SLO to Santa Barbara (sponsored by To Shiny Rails)
• A rail-guide for the trip is here
• Coloring pages are available at SLO Library locations in September
• Turn in your colored page at any SLO Library location by the September 30th deadline to be entered in the drawing
• The drawing for the winner will take place at the SLO Railroad Museum on Saturday, October 7th, 2:15pm.
• For ages 0 through 12 years
• The artwork will be displayed at the Library branches
• Free
• SLOLibrary.org

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SLO City Area

Model Train Layouts at Public Locations:

• Central Coast Model Railroad, part of the SLO Railroad Museum, Friday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. 2018 video by Jim Zimmerlin. Included with Museum admission.
• Orange County 'N' Gineers layouts at the downtown SLO Library, 995 Palm Street, SLO. Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 10am-3pm
• Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society outdoor layout/display at the SLO Railroad Museum, Saturday 10am-4pm. Included with Museum admission.

Happy Hour Fundraiser at House of Bread Cafe (New in '23)

• Friday, October 6th, 4pm-6pm
• Benefits the SLO Railroad Museum and its Model Railroad
• Music by "Dave, Brian & the 40 Hour Work Week" sponsored by West Coast Auto and Towing
• 1025 Farmhouse Lane, SLO
• Check out who's bartending!...
• Details...

San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum:

• Detailed schedule at the Museum
• SATURDAY IS THE MAIN DAY (all special activities/exhibits): 10am-4pm. Highlights include: large HO-scale model railroad (CCMR), Railroad BBQ Co for lunch (1130am-2pm), swap meet, trains coming and going, displays and information, various presentations and demonstrations, music by Ted Waterhouse, and new exhibits.
• Friday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-4pm: Festival Info Headquarters only, no special activities or exhibits. The model railroad will be open.
• 1940 Santa Barbara Ave, SLO
• Admission: Members free, Adult $5, Child (4-15) $3, Child (3 and under) free
• Photo Contest winners revealed (Saturday 10:25am)
• Pickup for Online Auction Winnings and BBQ Dinners, 2pm-4pm on Saturday. Details...
• SLORRM.com
• Parking is limited at the SLO Railroad Museum. Overflow parking is available about 4 blocks away at the Unitarian Church, 2201 Lawton Avenue (lot location), a 10-minute walk. Saturday only.

Dallidet Adobe and Gardens

• Saturday (only), Noon-4pm
• 1185 Pacific Street, SLO
• Webpage
• SLO street railcar from the late 1800s

Jack House and Gardens

• 536 Marsh Street, SLO
• 805.781.7100
• Open 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1-4pm
• Webpage
• 1878 Victorian Home of the Jack Family
• R. E. Jack was instrumental in bringing the Southern Pacific Railroad to San Luis Obispo
• Free

History Center of SLO County:

• Wednesday through Monday, 11am-5pm
• 696 Monterey Street, SLO
• HistoryCenterSLO.org

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South County SLO

Model Train Layouts at Public Locations:

• San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association (SLOMRA) layouts in the Freighthouse portion of the Oceano Depot, 1650 Front Street, Oceano, Friday-Sunday 10am-4pm
• Rori's Artisanal Creamery, the new ice cream shop in the Arroyo Grande Village with a G-scale train running around the ceiling, 114 W. Branch, AG, Daily 12pm-9pm.

Oceano Depot:

• Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm, including tours
• 1650 Front Street, Oceano
• oceanodepotmuseum.org
• Relocated and restored 1904 Southern Pacific Depot
• Displays, SP boxcar
• HO/N scale model layouts by SLO Model Railroad Assoc
• SMV Caboose #170 with HO model railroad inside
• Depot Office and Living Quarters
• Free, donations gratefully accepted

San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association:

• Friday through Sunday, 10am-4pm
• 1650 Front Street, Oceano (Oceano Depot)
• HO and N gauge railroads filling the Depot Freighthouse
• SLOMRA.org
• HO and N gauge items for sale
• Free, donations gratefully accepted

Restaurants:

• Rock-n-Roll Diner
  • Located in two full-size passenger railcars on track
  • 1300 Railroad Street, Oceano, CA 93445
  • Sun-Thur: 8AM-8PM | Fri-Sat: 8AM-8:30PM
• Grover Station Grill
  • Rail-themed restaurant
  • Directly across the tracks from the Grover Beach train station
  • 170 W Grand Ave #101, Grover Beach, CA 93433
  • Mon-Thu: 7AM-3PM | Fri-Sat: 7AM-8PM | Sun: 7AM-3PM
  • Mention you're enjoying the Railroad Festival for a FREE non-alcoholic beverage with purchase of a meal

Dana Adobe & Cultural Center:

• Tours during the week are by appointment only
• Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3pm
• 671 S. Oakglen Ave, Nipomo CA 93444
• DanaAdobe.org
• Hike a portion of the Pacific Coast Railway right-of-way
• Admission: Free for members, $8 per adult, ages 6-18 $3, ages 0-5 free
• Special Event Oct. 7th: Nipomo High School Cross-Country Race

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Northern Santa Barbara County

Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum:

• Friday and Saturday, 11am-4pm
• 616 S. Broadway, Santa Maria
• SantaMariaHistory.com
• Capt. Hancock and Santa Maria Valley Railroad displays/exhibits
• Free

Static Railroad Equipment Display in Santa Maria:

• Behind the Transit Center at 708 S. Miller St., Santa Maria
• Union Sugar #1 locomotive (info sheet 2008)
• 1930s Sacramento Northern boxcar
• SMVRR Caboose #180 (info sheet 2004)
• Free

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If you'd like to be a Sponsor, Participant, or are interested in developing a program for the upcoming Festival, please connect with us via our Contact page.

Have Some Good Photos?!
We welcome your photos from any of our Festival activities. We use many submitted photos on the website, crediting the photographer. You may submit CCRRF photos any time to: webman@CCRRF.com.