CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COAST GARDEN RAILROAD SOCIETY

Conejo & Tortuga Railroad Train Run
2026-04-18 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Conejo & Tortuga Railroad, 548 Moss Avenue, Paso Robles, CA, 93446-2766, United States
Bernie and Vicki Meister have invited CCCGRS to a train run at the perennial favorite Conejo & Tortuga Railroad.
The layout will now accommodate even more battery powered equipment. Feel free to bring a train and navigate the expanded roadbed. Avoid bringing long rolling stock as the line extension has an 8-foot radius.
Bernie continues to model additional features on the layout with his new 3-D printer. We are excited to see what he has created. Come learn about additive manufacturing technology and examples of its role in our hobby.
There is something of interest for everyone on this occasion.
Bernie and Vicki will be serving hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, & water. Guests are invited to bring cookies or your favorite dessert to share. There is lots of room & plenty of shade to enjoy the spring weather.
The Meister residence sits well off the street down a fairly long driveway with parking for around 12 cars and of course street parking as well.

May Luncheon
2026-05-06 11:30 - 13:30 | Bon Temps Creole Cafe, 1819 Osos Street, San Luis Obsipo, CA, 93401, United States
The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society members and friends meet monthly to socialize and share a good meal with friends and colleagues. Attendees connect with local hobbyists, learn information important for the success of your garden railroad, and discover new opportunities, while supporting local small businesses.
Guests are always welcome. Please let us know in advance if you plan to attend. We would like to include you in the reservation we provide to our hosts so they can prepare accordingly for our visit.
Contact us at contact@cccgrs.org for more details about this month’s CCCGRS luncheon.

Mountain View Railroad Train Run
2026-05-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Mountain View Railroad, 1905 View Drive, Santa Ynez, CA, 93460, United States
Join us for a special train run in the Santa Ynez Valley, with a sweeping vista of the Figueroa and Grass Mountains, at the Mountain View Railroad – a garden railroad where working G-gauge model trains navigate through sculpted miniature forests to delight the child within. Meandering through the walkways surrounded by 700 dwarf Alberta spruce and redwood trees, a visitor is transported into a Disneyesque environment with miniature trains making their way through forests, over bridges, by custom-built buildings and around a koi pond, with whistles signaling their passage. Don has a life-size caboose, which he built himself. It houses an authentic caboose seat, which holds a huge, serenading animatronic bear. In the garden stands a line shack that also was designed and built by Morgan with the help of his gardener. It is constructed out of uneven wood planks, and it is a favorite spot to sit and take in the expansive view, both of the mountains and of the garden railway. Don has a railroad lamp and lantern collection plus an operating wigwag and Griswold crossing devices.
Members are encouraged to bring both battery and track powered trains for this event. Guests should bring a lunch to enjoy and a dessert to share with others. Water and other drinks will be provided for your enjoyment.
Read more about Don Morgan’s Mountain View Railroad here.

Monarch & Sand Railroad Train Run
2026-05-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Monarch & Sand Railroad, 480 Dixson Street, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420, United States
Children can appreciate the M&SRR while they happily play with livestock and tractors in our farm diorama and with clowns and attractions in our circus diorama. (They will not be allowed to play in our planned toxic derailment diorama.) Adults can enjoy our Airwire-controlled locomotives from walkways or from our patio, as the trains circulate on 300 ft. of track, consisting of a mainline, a yard, a loop, a wye, and an agricultural siding. Listen for our Western-Cullen-Hayes No. 333 Crossing Bell! Watch the M&SRR High Flyer! Note: Our recently landscaped yard features decomposed granite paths. Anyone needing to avoid them can come through our house. There are no steps. We look forward to seeing you!
See a detailed description of the MNL Railroad here.

Membership Meeting
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Video Communications
Join us online or by phone for information about on-going projects and upcoming events while visiting with your favorite garden railway hobbyists.
Members will receive a meeting invitation and agenda via email prior to the meeting. Want to test your Zoom connection before the meeting? Just send us a request at: contact@cccgrs.org.
Not a member yet? We have been waiting for you to join us!

June Luncheon
2026-06-03 11:30 - 13:30 | Pig Iron, 508 S Main Street, Templeton, CA, 93465-5101, United States

Central Coast Zoo Ice Cream Zoofari Train Display
2026-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Central Coast Zoo, 9305 Pismo Avenue, Atascadero, CA, 93422, United States
More details are coming soon.

Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad Train Run
2026-06-20 11:00 - 15:00 | Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad, 409 Corralitos Road, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420-4929, United States
Welcome back to the Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad. This folded dogbone layout includes over 350 feet of mainline with 4-foot minimum radius curves and a maximum 3% grade supported on a “ladder-style” roadbed. Custom crafted cliffs and rock faces artistically create a natural backdrop, while drought tolerant plants fill the scene. Future additions will include the Village of Arroyo Grande, along with mining and petroleum industries. Chuck and Judith have visited countless garden railroads, attended workshops and invested years planning this “model railroad for the garden.” They are eager to share with visitors how they incorporated a garden railroad into their central coast landscape.

July Luncheon
2026-07-01 11:30 - 13:30 | G Brothers Smokehouse, 885 East Foothill, San Luis Obsipo, CA, 93405, United States

"The Garden Express" Family Free Day
2026-07-12 10:00 - 14:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California, 93405, United States
Experience a special display of large scale trains during the July Family Free Day at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.
El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 per vehicle admission fee on weekends and holidays from April through September. Parking lots are located directly across from the garden.

August Luncheon
2026-08-05 11:30 - 13:30 | Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln, Nipomo, CA, 93444, United States

A & M Railroad Train Run
2026-08-22 10:30 - 15:00 | A & M Railroad, 4969 Coughlin Way, Santa Maria, CA, 93455-5035, United States
Mark and Sheila Goodman have extended an invitation to the A & M Railroad in scenic Orcutt. This local favorite backyard large scale layout bring the trains up close and personal.
The A & M Railroad consists of two separate large-scale layouts. The original layout has been reconfigured into an 80-ft. oval featured in the center of the garden. In 2021, following 16 months of construction, the new 193-ft. triple main line was completed. This impressive layout is raised 30 inches from ground level for ease of operation and viewing. All three lines cross an arch top drawbridge allowing operators to access the center of the layout. Kit and kit-bashed structures, details and figures are distributed throughout creating unique scenes to delight visitors.
For this Train Run event, the layout will accommodate live steam and battery powered large scale trains for operations.
A selection of locomotives, rolling stock, buildings and other garden railroad-related items will be available during this occasion at very affordable prices. This is a great opportunity to start your own garden railroad, or add that special item to your existing layout. Arrive early for the best selection!
Our hosts will provide hot dogs and chili. Guests are encouraged to bring dessert to share.

September Luncheon
2026-09-02 11:30 - 13:30 | Beda’s Biergarten German Restaurant, 3230 Broad Street #130, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, United States

S & P Californian Train Run
2026-09-19 11:00 - 15:00 | S & P Californian, 873 Via Seco, Nipomo, CA, 93444-5426, United States
Paul & Shuri welcome CCCGRS back to the S & P Californian for our September train run.
The garden railway features a 1/5 scale version of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Pacific Barn, a miniature train station and passenger platform and the towns of Succulent, Fountain, Willow and Solvang, a European style village. The lower loop has over 150 feet of track and two reversing loops. The upper loop has over 150 feet of track and “S” curves traveling through giant redwood and miniature Alberta spruce trees. The HO double deck layout features model areas of San Francisco including a 3D printed Golden Gate Bridge. Painted Ladies, Ferry Building, and Coit Tower, Disneyland has main street station, fire house, castle, and the haunted mansion, a Sierra Nevada style mining area, small towns, industrial areas and a circus.

Central Coast Railroad Festival - 2026
2026-10-02 - 2026-10-04 | CA
The Central Coast Railroad Festival (CCRRF) is a broad based festival which focuses on railroading of many types with an eye towards the beauty of the central coast of California.
The festival is designed to attract the attention of avid and casual rail fans as well as curious folks from across the Western United States. It presents historical, educational and recreational events for local citizens, the area’s large population of second homeowners and visitors. The visibility of all local rail entities as well as railroading in general is elevated and enhanced by the Festival. Of course, this is a special opportunity for festival participants to enjoy open days at several CCCGRS garden railroads. A cooperative spirit is developed among all participating organizations to promote their mutual well-being and to expand interest in all things rail!

October Luncheon
2026-10-07 11:30 - 13:30 | The Porch Cafe, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453, United States

November Luncheon
2026-11-04 11:30 - 13:30 | Milestone Tavern, 972 Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

December Luncheon
2026-12-02 11:30 - 13:30 | Shaw’s Steakhouse & Tavern, 714 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454, United States

Central Coast Zoo Holiday Magic Train Display
2026-12-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Central Coast Zoo, 9305 Pismo Avenue, Atascadero, CA, 93422, United States
More details are coming soon

National Garden Railway Convention - 2027
2027-05-31 - 2027-06-05 | CA
Members of the Nashville Area Garden Railroaders eagerly look forward to welcoming fellow garden railroaders to the 2027 National Garden Railway Convention beginning on May 31, 2027. The “Made in Tennessee Building” at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center (945 Baddour Pkwy) in Lebanon, Tennessee will be the home base for many convention activities. The James E. Ward Agricultural Center is located approximately 25 miles east of the Nashville International Airport and about one mile north of Interstate 40 on highway US70. We have planned many family-friendly activities such a “Meet and Greet” opening reception, a railroad trivia contest and ice cream social for our guests to enjoy.
Tours of local garden railroads will be held on June 1, 2 and 3. Ten layouts which were not on the layout tours in 2021 will be open to visitors during the 2027 convention. Tour buses will be available for those that do not
wish to contend with Nashville traffic.
For more details on this popular, national event, visit: https://www.ngrc2027.org/
