Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, located in Campo, California, is about an hour east from San Diego. This off the beaten track museum is a must-see destination for railroad enthusiasts and for families seeking a memorable day trip. Take a scenic ride in a historic refurbished train car through the mountains and desert.

The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM) is a non-profit that was started as the Railway Historical Society of San Diego by Eric Sanders and Douglas Duncan in an effort to preserve the San Diego Electric Railway streetcar system that was being dismantled in 1949. By 1964, the organization formally incorporated as the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association and they began to solicit donations of locomotives, railcars and other historic exhibits to realize their goal of creating a museum where visitors could look at vintage trains in various stages of restoration and go for a ride as well.

The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum runs trains year-round with different seasonal schedules as well as special holiday trains and even seasonal “locomotive engineer for an hour” days.

The operating hours of the Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum vary based on the season, so check the website to verify hours and special excursions. Train ride options range in pricing depending on the duration and the type of excursion chosen. The museum grounds and exhibit hall are open to the public on most weekends. Visitors have the option to to purchase museum admission only, or they may purchase train ride tickets which include the cost of admission.

Golden State Excursion

Sit back and relax while the San Diego countryside rolls by during a pleasant round trip train ride on the historic San Diego & Arizona Railway. The Golden State is the Museum’s classic weekend excursion that has been in operation since 1986. You will depart from the Campo Depot for the approximately 45-minute ride after visiting the Museum’s gift shop and ticket office. The best views on this trip are on the end of the train and at the open door box car. Due to federal requirements from the TSA and FRA, face coverings are mandatory on all portions of any train ride.