Prototype Tours
The San Diego area hosts several prototype operations that are fun to visit, photograph, and model. Below are the currently scheduled tours - find those that sound interesting, then sign up for them either on the Extra Fare portion of the Registration form, or by going to the on-line Extra Fare page where you can signup and pay for the event using your credit/debit card or your PayPal account.
Reminder: All tours and events are subject to cancellation at any time, and are offered based on availability of equipment, personnel, or sufficient number of registrants for the event.
| Event | Description | Type | $ | |
| PASHA Ship-to-Rail Facility guided tour |
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Take a very interesting trip to an operation that is not well known, but is potentially of much interest to railroaders - the PASHA ship to rail facility at the south end of San Diego Bay. This facility is the terminus for the largest RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ship in the world, and is responsible for both bringing in thousands of vehicles from Asia monthly and transporting vehicles to and from the mainland to Hawaii. This facility has a very extensive ship to rail transferal operation, filling long lines of autorack cars that are changed out every night by the BNSF. This tour will take you through the entire process of this interesting multi-modal operation - you will be impressed. Limited number of seats. |
Bus Fri PM Half Day |
$30 |
| San Diego Electric Railway Association and Trolley Ride |  |
We offer the Traction SIG tour, including a ride on a restored PCC car around the downtown tourist line. The San Diego Electric Railway Association is housed in and on the property of the restored historic National City Depot. Their goal is to preserve the artifacts and equipment of the San Diego Electric Railway and serve to show the important roles street cars, interurbans, and electric railways played in the development of the San Diego area. The museum has five trolleys (non operational) being restored toward operation, many historic pictures, a model railroad, and a book store with an extensive collection of traction books for sale. Also a member who is a walking history book will be present. Across the street is a turn of the century (19th) trolley restored by the Port Authority. An additional bit of information for rail buffs, the National City Depot was once the western terminus of the Santa Fe preceded by the California Southern. NOTE: Riding on restored PCC street cars is subject to equipment availability, and may not be part of this tour. |
Fri AM Half Day Tour is now self quided Ask for details at Registration Desk |
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| Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo, CA |  |
Come ride the historic San Diego & Arizona Railway through the back country of San Diego. This 1.5 hour trip will traverse the route from Campo Depot to the US / Mexican border at Division, and return. A guided narrative will describe the interesting spots over the route, and the rationale for constructing a railroad through some of the most inhospitable areas of the American Southwest. On your return to Campo Depot a box lunch will be served, and then you will be taken for a tour of the restored, and many waiting to be restored, pieces of equipment the Pacific Southwest Museum has obtained. Weather and conditions permitting, we will be riding in a 1930’s private car, and a photo run by of the train is planned. | Bus Thurs All Day Lunch included |
$50 |
| AMTRAK Ride the Surfliner to San Juan Capistrano |
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Take the AMTRAK Surfliner from Old Town San Diego to historic San Juan Capistrano for a day of exploring, shopping and eating in a truly interesting town. The Capistrano Mission is a fascinating place to tour (entry fee), and there are other interesting historic buildings as well. The restaurants are excellent, and there is even one at the station. And there are a number of very good antique stores right on the main drag. A very popular trip. |
Buy ticket at Amtrak |
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