Make a Donation
Pacific Coast Railway Locomotive Model Sponsorship
The museum is in the process of completely renovating and upgrading our Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy) exhibit. A key part of this exhibit will be models of long gone Pacific Coast Railway Locomotives (and possibly other rolling stock or MoW equipment). These models are being designed and built by Jack Erhart. He is painstakingly researching all available drawings and photos to recreate these locomotives. The first two PCRy locomotives, the Avila and the John Harford have already been completed and are on display in the new exhibit. Jack is currently working on the third PCRy locomotive, PCRy #101. Please help us raise funds to cover the cost of all the equipment and materials needed to recreate these one-of-a-kind models that bring history to life. Any donation large or small is really appreciated. If you donate at least $500 to this effort, you will become a "sponsor" of one of the models. This sponsorship can be donated over a period of time if desired - we're flexible since we really appreciate your support. Sponsors will be recognized with a plaque adjacent to their locomotive once the locomotive is completed and on-display.
The first model, "Avila," was revealed during the 2022 Railroad Festival. Please check out the Avila Photo Album to follow along on Jack's construction and help you appreciate the detailed work involved in each model.
The second model, PCRy #2 "John Harford" was unveiled at the 2024 railroad festival. Check out the Harford Photo Album to follow along in its construction.
This is #101 in 1908.
This is a drawing of the next model of #101. Check out the #101 Photo Album to follow along in its construction.
The models of the Avila and John Harford are now fully completed and on display at the museum. Come visit and view some history of the PCRy.
You may donate to this project here:
Southern Pacific Railroad Pacific Motor Trucking Trailer
The museum recently acquired a 22 feet, Daylight painted Pacific Motor Trucking Trailer. This is the second such trailer acquired by the SLORRM and the plan is to have both of these trailers put on a Southern Pacific flat car just as would have been done when they were in service, TOFC (Trailer on Flat Car). We are working to raise funds to acquire and move an old TOFC trailer to the museum to begin construction of this fantastic display. See a SLO Tribune video. Also, see Brad's video with more information and donation request. You may donate to this project here:
Support Museum Programs
Our museum is always working on ways to educate and support our visitors, members, and the public and this is still true during the Covid-19 pandemic. We are creating information and activities that you can enjoy from home. For example we created a digital version of the Museum's book Danny the Diesel Locomotive, intended for ages about three to six. It's free to view and download, but a donation will help continue Museum programs for our younger visitors. All proceeds go entirely to the Museum with an acknowledgement to the creators of these materials.
Museum Model Railroad Exhibit
The museum includes an operating 1200 square foot model railroad which visually tells the story about how local railroads operated on the central coast. This model railroad exhibit seeks to demonstrate the life and times wherein the railroads were directly involved in the economic vitality of local communities and provided the majority of transport for people and freight. This model railroad depicts portions of the Southern Pacific and the entire Pacific Coast Railroad as they operated along the California Coast from Gaviota to Paso Robles. Please support the continued development of our model railroad. See the model railroad page.
Freighthouse Development & Museum Exhibits
The City of San Luis Obispo completed its repair and restoration work of the exterior of the Freight House in 2012. Then in 2012 and 2013, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum held fundraising events and received several grants which allowed construction of interior trusses, insulation, removal of deteriorated and non historic walls and preparation of the interior per our master plan. Finally, in 2014, the museum completed restoration of the interior, provisioning of accessible restrooms, and construction of spaces to facilitate the public's access to displayed artifacts, documents, model railroad and archives. Since our opening, we continue to develop new exhibits and enhance existing exhibits. Please help us continue to tell the story of railroading on the Central Coast by donating to our exhibit development activities.