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

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October 1-3, 2021

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 and one goes afterward on October 9th, but the Festival proper is October 1-3, 2021.

30-Second Promo Video

Click here.

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

Last Updated: 9/27/2021

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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 and crayons are included in the Goodie Bags available at SLO Library locations in September
• Turn in your colored page at any SLO Library location by the September 25th deadline to be entered in the drawing
• The drawing will be at the SLO Railroad Museum on Saturday, October 2nd, 2:15pm. Congratulations to Betsy G. and family of Shandon, CA.
• For ages 0 through 12 years
• The artwork will be displayed at the Library branches
• Free
• SLOLibrary.org

Grab-n-Go Goodie Bag at all San Luis Obispo County Libraries

• Appropriate for young children
• Available at all branches during September (while supplies last)
• Includes an Amtrak Junior Conductor Activity Book, an Amtrak paper conductor hat, a picture postcard, a contest coloring page with crayons (see above), and a free child's admission to the Museum
• SLOLibrary.org
• Free

Model Railroad Layout Tour 2021

• 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)
• There are 29 layouts at 17 locations on the tour
• From Paso Robles to Lompoc
• Detailed Tour (PDF), as of 9/27/21

Model Train Layouts at Public Locations:

• Central Coast Model Railroad, part of the SLO Railroad Museum: Saturday only 10am-4pm. 2018 video by Jim Zimmerlin. Included with Museum admission.
• San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association (SLOMRA) layouts in the Freighthouse portion of the Oceano Depot, Friday-Sunday 10am-4pm
• Orange County 'N' Gineers layouts at the downtown SLO Library. Friday 1-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, 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.
• Central Coast Trains in Atascadero, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Model train store with several operating layouts.
• Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab, there's a g-scale train running around the ceiling all the time at the Arroyo Grande parlor, and something of a train-theme in Santa Maria.

San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum:

• Detailed schedule at the Museum
• SATURDAY ONLY: 10am-4pm
• 1940 Santa Barbara Ave, SLO
• Admission: Members free, Adult $5, Child (4-15) $3, Child (3 and under) free
• Highlights include: large HO-scale model railroad (CCMR), swap meet, food and beverages, trains coming and going, displays and information in a newly renovated exhibit area, various presentations and demonstrations, and new exhibits
• 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.

Norgrove Railway Open House:

• Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm
• 2449 Brady Lane, AG (Brady Lane & El Campo Road)
• It's a brand spankin' new 600mm (just under 2') gauge railroad being built near Hiway 101 that will wind through a vineyard and citrus orchard, focusing on superbly refurbished railroad equipment including a WWI trench engine.
• Shop tours
• Operating steam and diesel locomotives, steam roller, too
• Train rides will not be available this year
• Free

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

Oceano Depot:

• Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm, including tours
• 1650 Front Street, Oceano
• OceanoDepot.org (on Facebook while website is being revamped)
• Relocated and restored 1904 Southern Pacific Depot
• Displays, SP boxcar
• SMV Caboose #170 with HO model railroad inside
• Depot Office and Living Quarters
• For-Sale model railroad items from a large collection
• Hot dogs and popcorn for sale
• Free, donations gratefully accepted

Dana Adobe & Cultural Center:

• Tours during the week are by appointment only
• Saturday & Sunday tours are from 11am-3pm, no appointment is needed
• 671 S. Oakglen Ave, Nipomo CA 93444
• DanaAdobe.org
• Hike the Pacific Coast Railway right-of-way
• Special displays about the Pacific Coast Railway
• Admission: Free for members, $5 per person, children 12 & under free

Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum:

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

Pioneer Museum:

• Thursday through Sunday, 1-4pm
• 2010 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles
• PasoRoblesPioneerMuseum.org
• The Pioneer Museum is also open for Pioneer Day
  • October 9th, 1-4pm
  • Bob Wilson's "hands-on" model railroad layout
• Free

Static Railroad Equipment Display in Santa Maria:

• Behind the Transist 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