The V&M Redondo RR is analog track powered featuring 165 feet of track and three sidings. Many customized structures are found track-side bearing the names of family members involved in a variety of commercial ventures. There is a stream and a large pond that are traversed by the trains as they work their way around this garden railway.
In the heart of Wilmington sits a little-known treasure, The Banning Museum. Phineas Banning—entrepreneur, the founder of the city of Wilmington, and “the Father of the Port of Los Angeles”—built the 23-room residence in 1864. Subsequent generations lived in it until 1925; in 1927 the residence, stagecoach barn, and the surrounding 20 acres of parkland were acquired by the City of Los Angeles.
Old West theme
Located in Wilmington, California, Drum Barracks Civil War Museum is housed in the last remaining original wooden building of the 22 structures built as a military post during the Civil War in the Los Angeles area. Drum Barracks, named after Lt. Col. Richard Coulter Drum, Adjutant General of the Department of the Pacific in San Francisco, served as the Union Army headquarters for Southern California and the Arizona Territory from 1861-1871.
This folded dog bone track configuration has about 150 feet of track and features automatic operation of up to three separate trains using analog track power. Established in 2009.
The Wolf Run RR models a railroad running through the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas during the early 1900's. There are several historically accurate modeled structures along with miniature redwoods and other plants. The layout uses about 180 feet of track, and analog powered as well as live steam locomotives can be seen on these rails. The railroad is undergoing renovations and will hopefully be ready for a open house in late 2021.
Theme: Mountains of the Northwest. Beautifully landscaped with miniature trees and a mountain stream. About 200 feet of track on three different levels wind through the lush greenery. Analog track power and RF controlled units are both found on this layout.
This lush green layout in a side yard plot features about 150 feet of track in a folded-dog bone configuration and uses analog track power.. Most of the yard is planted with California native plants with a variety of colors appearing throughout the year. A solar-powered lighted fairy village is a dominant feature. Trains run over a stream and under a waterfall on this fun layout.
The Santa Monica Canyon & Pacific Railroad is built into a hillside, and the trains work their way up and down the hill using a series of switch-backs. Several bridges and trestles are needed to move between the natural rock ledges on the hillside. A variety of steam locomotives provide the motive power for the SMC&P RR.
The SoCalGRS train display in Santa's Village allows up to five visitors at at time to operate trains.
SoCalGRS public display
One-third acre of G-gauge trains running on 3500 feet of track. Many different urban, industrial and rural settings served by up to 17 trains operating simultaneously.
In 1961, private citizens, headed by Frances Young, prevailed upon the County Board of Supervisors to convert this site into a botanic garden. It was an exciting experiment in sanitary landfill reclamation. In April 1961, the first major planting took place with over 40,000 donated trees, shrubs and other plants. Since then, our plant collection has significantly increased to more than 200,000 plants.
SoCalGRS public display
Commonwealth Canyon RR features over 1000 feet of track encompassing a large pond. Gradual curves provide for realistic operations of streamlined passenger trains and long freights.
The Too Much Fun RR is a multi-level layout that fills the entire backyard and has been featured Garden Railways Magazine.
Plants dominate on this layout of about 250 feet of track. Many succulents provide a unique setting for the trains to traverse.
