Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Demonstration and Display of
Pacific Southwest Railroad History


 A pictorial tour of the Campo Depot and Railroad Museum

AT CAMPO - we offer the following train rides and activities departing from the Campo Depot on selected weekends. Be sure to check the Calendar for these events.

AT LA MESA - The La Mesa Depot Museum is La Mesa, California's oldest building in its original form and is the sole surviving San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway Station in existence. The building you see today on the corner of Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard in downtown La Mesa has a colorful history. Currently open to the public on Saturdays between 1PM and 4PM, visitors also interact with a period freight train with a steam locomotive, refrigerator car and caboose. Conveniently located across the street from the La Mesa Blvd trolley stop - come on out and enjoy an hour at this old-time station in downtown La Mesa.

Please visit the archive of selected Museum News items.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of railroads as they existed in the Pacific Southwest.

The Museum runs excursions on many weekends on portions of the San Diego & Arizona Railway utilizing actual vintage equipment. Please check the Excursions and Special Events page for further details and schedules. Note that the Museum is not open to the public on weekdays. Be sure to check the Master Calendar for the full operating schedule.


 Main Facility & Train Rides Business Office

Campo Depot
State Highway 94 & Forrest Gate Road
Campo, California
(619) 478-9937 weekends
Lat: 32.612769 Lon: -116.472417 		La Mesa Depot
4695 Nebo Drive
La Mesa, California 91941-5259
(619) 465-PSRM (465-7776) weekdays

The Museum's web site offers a wealth of information in support of its mission to present and interprete railroad history. Please click on the following major topic links to start your exploration of rail history.

Excursions
    		• Train rides, Excursions and Locomotive Cab Rides
    Home of the The Golden State excursion and others
    Calendar
    		• The Museum's Event and Excursion Calendar
    Place reservations for excursions and cab-rides on-line
    Car Charters
    		• Charter your own Private Railcar
    Roster
    		• The Museum's Equipment Roster
    Gallery
    		• Museum's Photo Gallery, including Videos
    History
    		• Railroad History and Time-line
    FAQ
    		• Frequently Asked Railroad Questions
    Events
    		• Recent Museum Events
    Stories
    		• Interesting Railroad Stories
    Filmography
    		• Hollywood Comes to the Museum
    Sounds
    		• Railroad Sounds
    Likeable Links
    		• Museum Recommend Links
    Randy Houk

    The Museum's main facility is located in Campo, California, about 45 miles east of downtown San Diego. A restored depot is also operated adjacent to the trolley tracks in La Mesa.

    The Museum is operated by volunteers, who are responsible for every phase of its operation. An FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) approved training program is utilized to safely train brakemen, conductors, fireman and engineers. Indeed, many Museum volunteers have gone on to full-time employment with various railroads and Amtrak.

    The Campo facility is home to most of the Museum's collection. More than eighty major pieces of railroad equipment are on display, with many of them in various stages of restoration by the volunteers.

    Mission Statement
    		• The Museum's Mission to Serve and Educate the Public
    Lodging Info
    		• Campo and San Diego Visitor Information
    Join Us
    		• The Museum Needs You. Here's how you can help
    Community Services
    		• The Museum helps other Organizations
    Campo Depot
    		• The Museum's Main Facility in Campo California
    La Mesa Depot
    		• The Museum's Award Winning Depot in La Mesa California
    Volunteers
    		• Museum Membership Resources
    password required
    Museum Mailing Lists
    		• Email Mailing Lists for the Museum Volunteer
    General Mailing Lists
    		• Railroad Email Mailing Lists for the Public

    Carriso Gorge: Passenger trains through the Carriso Gorge are not possible at this time or in the foreseeable future. If conditions change, the Museum will make announcements regarding Carriso Gorge passenger excursion trains on this web site.

    Enjoy the slide show on the right showing the view from the cab of a westbound freight climbing through the Gorge delivering the Museum's new Alco S2 locomotive to Campo. The Museum thanks The Carrizo Gorge Railway for moving the locomotive as a donation and for the photos of the move.

    A Hi Resolution slide show is also available.


    While in Campo, be sure to also visit the Gaskill Brothers Stone Store Museum and the Motor Transport Museum to complete your understanding of local Campo and transportation history in the region.

    The Museum is always in need of additional volunteer assistance. If you are interested please notify Lew Wolfgang to receive further information on membership benefits. If you have ever been moved by the mournful wail of a steam locomotive whistle echoing across the valley, perhaps you should consider joining us.


    Volunteer Opportunities are available in
    Operations Restoration Interpretation Library Event Production

    These web pages are under continuous development in support of the Museum's community outreach program. Please visit often and be sure to leave your suggestions on how we can better serve you.

    For more information about the Museum, please contact Customer Service.

    This site last updated 09/05/10 at 0847 PDT

    Copyright 1995 through 2009 Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association, Inc.,
    4695 Nebo Drive, La Mesa, California, 91941-5259, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

    Weather Underground PWS MAS509