Announcement Email

As this page was developed from an email, all the links in the body of this page open in a new tab.

September 12, 2024

Content

2024 Festival Schedule in Detail

October 4-6, 2024. All the schedule detail for the Festival can be accessed on the Schedule page of the Festival website. In some cases, links are provided on that Schedule page to access additional information somewhere else, usually the Participant's website. Savvy Festival goers will know that some aspects of the Festival begin earlier than the given dates. For example, all of September is when the SLO County Library branches accept entries to the Coloring Contest. Also, the very-popular Model Railroad Layout Tour actually begins that Thursday, October 3rd, and runs through Sunday the 6th. Don't forget, schedules may change right up to the last minute. Here are links for various sections of detail:

Photo Contest Deadline in Three Days

Don't miss this coming Sunday's deadline (9/15/24) to submit photos to the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum's 2024 Photo Contest. All the details are on the 2024 SLORRM Photo Contest webpage. See some of last year's contest submissions at left (on the webpage version). Don't forget that there's a new category this year: Model Railroads!

Garden Trains Display, Jack House, This Sunday

The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society will have an operating garden railroad in the beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the Historic Jack House in San Luis Obispo on September 15, 2024, from 1pm to 4pm. The Jack House is located at 536 Marsh Street in downtown San Luis Obispo. There will be live music as well by the Wavebreakers, and guided tours. All free!

Festival Info at Farmers Market September 19th

Look for information about this year's Central Coast Railroad Festival at the September 19th Farmers Market in San Luis Obispo. As you cross Garden and Higuera, look for a train engineer (actually a member of the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society) with a railroad crossing sign and a Railroad Festival poster!

Festival Coloring Contest: Sept. 30 Deadline

There are only a couple weeks to get your child(ren) entered in the Festival's Coloring Contest. Win round-trip Amtrak tickets (Pacific Surfliner) for five from SLO to Santa Barbara. Coloring pages are available at SLO Library locations throughout September. Turn in your colored page at any SLO Library location by the September 30th deadline to be entered in the drawing. The drawing for the winner will take place at the SLO Railroad Museum on Saturday, October 5th, 2:15pm. For ages 0 through 12 years.

SLO Railroad Museum Fundraiser
at House of Bread, October 4th

The House of Bread Cafe will hold a Happy Hour Fundraiser at their place on Friday of the Festival, October 4th, from 4pm-6pm, at 1025 Farmhouse Lane, SLO. Proceeds to the SLO Railroad Museum will be split evenly between the Museum's general fund and their Model Railroad. Join us for the fun and support the Museum!

Railroad Festival Press Release

The Central Coast Railroad Festival's steering group recently sent out a press release regarding the upcoming Festival. Here's the Railroad Festival Press Release, September 1, 2024.

Railroad Festival Posters Downloadable

Various versions of a Railroad Festival poster are available in PDF format: 18x24, 12x24, and 8.5x11. Just download, print, and post. If you'd like any adjustments to size or content for your use, simply contact Conductor@CCRRF.com.

New Signal Exhibit at SLO Railroad Museum

A new signal exhibit has been installed outside at the SLO Railroad Museum. It's a search-light style signal with relay-cabinet base that's been carefully positioned not to confuse Union Pacific or Amtrak Railroad operations on the other side of the tracks. Read all about this and much more in the Museum's Fall 2024 newsletter recently released (see their Newsletter page).

Scouting Railroad Merit Badge Classes (SLORRM)

The SLO Railroad Museum has scheduled the next two Sessions for earning the Scouting Railroad Merit Badge: November 10, 2024, and March 16, 2025. See their Scouting Merit Badge webpage.

SLO New Times Article about the Festival

The SLO New Times recently ran an article about our upcoming Festival: The Central Coast Railroad Festival kicks off October 4th.

October is Harvest Wine Month at Cypher

Actually, it's Harvest Wine Month for all of Paso Robles Wine Country. At Cypher Winery, the celebrations occur Thursday-Sunday throughout October, 1-6pm. The Cypher Tasting Lounge is at 740 Pine Street, Paso Robles in the Paso Robles Historic Train Depot. Amtrak's Coast Starlight stops right by Cypher's outdoor patio twice a day, scheduled for 1:57pm and 4:15pm.

Ride Halter Ranch Railroad thru November 3rd

Grand Vineyard Train Tours will continue at the Halter Ranch Railroad through November 3rd after which train tours will end for the season. Train tours are available Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am and 1:30pm for members ($35) and non-members ($50). Details....

2025 PCR Convention Seeking Clinicians, etc.

The Pacific Coast Region (PCR) of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) will hold its 2025 convention in San Luis Obispo, March 27-30, 2025. They are currently booking an exciting lineup of clinics that cater to model railroad enthusiasts of all levels. If you have expertise in a particular area and would like to share your knowledge, they would love to have you present a clinic at their convention! If you'd like to conduct a clinic, the place to start is the Clinics webpage. The overall Convention website is PCR2025.org. One may attend in-person or online. The convention hotel is the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo on Madonna Road. Great additional outings offered by the Convention include: Guided Amtrak Trip Over Cuesta Grade (see our rail route guide), Bitter Creek Western Railroad and Norgrove Railway, Tour of Santa Maria Valley Railroad Shops, Pacific Coast Railroad at Santa Margarita Ranch, and the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum.

Pacific Coast Railroad Ran for Vintage Market

The Pacific Coast Railroad (PCRR) operated at the Santa Margarita Ranch for the Tent City Vintage Market earlier in August. Check out some photos on the PCRR Facebook page.

Photo Essay: San Francisco's Cable Cars

On August 29, 2024, AvoidingRegret.com posted another photo essay that should be of interest to railfans: "The Ups and Downs (And Ins and Outs) of San Francisco's Historic Cable Car System."

Area Railroading Opportunities

There's a plethora of railroading going on in our area (broadly speaking, in some cases). Check out this Index of Area Railroading. Be sure to check with any of interest to you to verify their open status and schedules.

Want Your Rail-Related News/Event Promoted?
It's Free!

Do you have a Central Coast railroad-related event or news item to add to our next broadcast email? It's free! And it doesn't have to be part of the Festival itself (could be any time throughout the year). Email the details to: addevent@ccrrf.com. The next issue will likely be in a month or so.

Want to Subscribe? It's Free!

If you want to be subscribed to this Announcement Email list, go to our Contact/Subscribe page. It's free.