Day Trip Campo Train Museum Pacific Southwest Railway

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum is located in Campo, California. The train museum is off the beaten path, but it’s worth a visit. The Museum is situated on the grounds of what was formerly Camp Lockett. The gymnasium building of the camp is now the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum car shop. At the Museum, you will find numerous pieces of railroad equipment in various stages of repair, from passenger cars to locomotives and everything in between.

Campo Railway Museum

The Railway Museum is open to the public every weekend. For a small fee, visitors can explore collections of railroad equipment, including steam locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses. Noteworthy items in the Museum include the “Carriso Gorge,” a business car that belonged to John D. Spreckels of the San Diego and Arizona Railway, as well as a unique Coaster F-40 PHM-2C commuter locomotive that was in service from 1995 to 2021. A popular exhibit known as “Signal Science” showcases railway signaling techniques.

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Train Rides

The Museum offers train rides on most Saturdays. The Golden State train excursion takes a 12-mile round-trip journey along the old San Diego & Arizona Railway track. A Diesel-electric locomotive pulls vintage passenger cars. The train rolls slowly along the tracks, passing ranches and the scenic backcountry of Southern California. The train is not a high-speed journey; it’s a pleasant, leisurely trip back in time. The Golden State train lasts about 45 minutes. Special events train rides include the North Pole Limited, Pumpkin Express, and Bunny Trains.

La Mesa Depot: The Museum also manages the historic La Mesa Depot, the oldest building in La Mesa, California, and the sole surviving San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway station. Open on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the display features a steam locomotive, a refrigerator car, and a caboose, with free admission (donations are also accepted). The La Mesa Depot was restored after serving as an antique store, worm farm, and chicken coop. 4695 Nebo Dr, La Mesa, California.

Campo Railway Museum Hours & Admission

The Campo Museum is open on weekends from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with train rides typically running twice daily. Tickets for train rides include museum admission, with prices varying by excursion. Please check the Museum’s website for current pricing. The depot area features picnic tables, a sandbox, and swings for children, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere. Bring along some snacks and drinks; dining options are limited in Campo, except for the Campo Cafe and a convenience store.

Getting to the Campo Train Museum

The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, situated in Campo, California, approximately 50 miles east of downtown San Diego, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the railroad history of the Pacific Southwest. The Museum’s address is 750 Depot St, Campo, California. From Interstate 8, take exit 51 (Buckman Springs Road), head southwest for 10 miles, turn right onto State Highway 94, then left onto Forrest Gate Road. The drive from downtown San Diego takes about an hour.

Nearby Attractions

Campo Motor Transport Museum is a unique destination dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the motor transport industry, particularly vintage trucks, and related equipment. The Museum is housed in the historic Campo Feldspar Mill, built in 1925, and is located at 31949 Highway 94 in Campo, California. It is open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on the first Sunday of each month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The collection features over 200 vintage vehicles, including trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles (RVs). Notable examples include a 1917 World War I Quad, a 1923 Mack truck used in the movie “The Aviator,” a 1924 Cadillac, and the restored Julian Stagecoach. Website.

Camp Lockett Event and Buffalo Soldier Museum: The Museum is located in the refurbished home of Frank Ferguson, a designer of the San Diego & Eastern Railroad. The Museum honors the Buffalo Soldiers, African-American cavalry units named by Native Americans during the Indian Wars. At Camp Lockett, the 10th and 28th Cavalry Regiments (1942–1944) guarded the U.S.-Mexico border and protected key infrastructure like the San Diego-Arizona Eastern Railway. Open Saturdays and Sundays, typically from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; please confirm via our website.

Gaskill Brothers Stone Store Museum: The Museum is a quick, educational stop, ideal for history enthusiasts and families. The Museum showcases artifacts from the Gaskill era, including period goods, tools, and items reflecting Campo’s pioneer, Kumeyaay Indian, and military history. Displays cover the 1875 battle, local ranching, and the region’s role during the Mexican-American War and World War II. The Museum is part of the San Diego County Parks system and is open on the first Sunday of each month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

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