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Welcome to the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Historical Society! Located next to the Salinas Amtrak station, we host an interactive HO scale layout and diorama recreating Monterey County railroads from the mid-1900s! We host an Open House for free to the public the first weekend each month! All Aboard!
Welcome to the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Historical Society! Located next to the Salinas Amtrak station, we host an interactive HO scale layout and diorama recreating Monterey County railroads from the mid-1900s! We host an Open House for free to the public the first weekend each month! All Aboard!
~~~ Admission is FREE! ~~~
Children are always welcome and encouraged to visit!
>>> Scavenger Hunting season has started! Come and celebrate 25 years of the MSVRR museum with a new activity that immerses you in our pursuit of model railroading and historical preservation! It's free and fun for all ages!
>>> The museum is currently available for Personal Tours and Special Gatherings. If you are interested, contact Special-Program@msvrr.org to learn more and schedule a visit!
>>> Guest Train Operations on the Diorama are now available during Open House Weekends! Click here for more information on Guest Operators.
>>> Check out KSBW coverage on our museum! - https://www.ksbw.com/article/take-a-step-back-in-time-at-the-railway-express-agency-building-in-salinas/42144130
>>> Are you a member of MSVRR? Click here to access the Museum Members Portal
DNOW7949.MOVOur Mission
Our Mission
The “Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Modeling and Historical Society” (MSVRR) is dedicated to creating and maintaining a HO scale diorama modeling Monterey County railroads from 1948 to 1965, the peak of the railroad's impact in the Salinas Valley.
Working with the local community, we provide experiential educational opportunities for children of all ages to enhance their knowledge of railroad impact in the Salinas Valley within their core educational curriculum and to inspire civic involvement.
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Photos of the layout can be viewed on The Diorama page. To learn more about how far we have come, you can read about the history of our organization and local railroading. If you would like to arrange a meeting with us or learn how to be more involved, please Contact Us.
Scavenger Hunt Out Now!
Scavenger Hunt Out Now!
Ready to take on a sight-seeing challenge as you venture around the layout? Then join along and take our scavenger hunt! Look out for signs, landmarks, and people going about their lives of Monterey County from decades past as you search this new hide-and-seek puzzle on our Diorama! Will you find them all?
Model Railroaders Wanted!
Model Railroaders Wanted!
Whether you are new to model railroading or have taken up the hobby your whole life, we encourage you to apply to become a member with us! You can operate your own trains on our layout, assist guests when the museum is open, and support us as we continue to build the historical society and serve our community!
If you are interested in becoming a member, volunteer, or donator, please check out the Membership page to learn more. You can find more information on the different tiers of membership, as well as accessing the necessary documents to start your journey with us today!
Where to Find Us
Where to Find Us
NOTE: The parking lot area surrounding the museum has recently been redone, so please drive safely when reaching the museum from West Market Street. Google Maps will take some time to update.
We are located at the historical Railway Express Agency (REA) building next to the Amtrak station, just look for the large steam engine and rail cars! The MSVRR Historical Society has collaborated with the city of Salinas to restore the building to its 1940s appearance and guarantee the land to the Museum under a long term commitment plan.
Museum Open House Schedule
Museum Open House Schedule
Open House occurs the first Saturday and Sunday of every month (excluding holidays) from 10am to 4pm, during which the museum is admission free to the public. We have held special events for Salinas Founders Day and National Train Day in the past. Besides these venues, we have Weekly Public Meetings at the museum where all are welcome to come and participate. Active members can vote on official activities and determine future projects. Visit the Schedule/Events page for details. To become a member, see the Membership page.
Like and follow us on Facebook to get notified of events and announcements:
Like and follow us on Facebook to get notified of events and announcements:
We ❤ Our Sponsors and Community Partners!
We ❤ Our Sponsors and Community Partners!
City of Salinas
Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop
Public Funds Disclosure
Public Funds Disclosure
The Monterey & Salinas Valley Model Railroad and Historical Modeling Society (MSVRR) is funded in part by the City of Salinas. We are legally obligated to provide the RRF documentation for the public, which you may access here: Public Funding-RRF-1 2023.pdf
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:
The Monterey Salinas Valley Railroad History Museum is committed to creating an environment that encompasses a welcoming and inclusive spirit where everyone, regardless of background, can explore and celebrate the rich history of railroads. We value diversity in all its forms and strive to ensure equitable access to our exhibits, programs, and resources. Through education and community engagement, we aim to honor the diverse stories and contributions that shape our shared heritage.
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