South Bay Historical Railroad

came here during the summer, experience was great! staff here were really friendly and they were mostly volunteers. they have two layouts, one in N scale and one in HO scale (with HOn30 narrow gauge) with beautiful scenery and masterful dedication. they also have many displays dedicated to the history of trains in the area and a small library. overall, 5/5 would recommend.

Built in one of the oldest cities in California. This is a train enthusiast's paradise. An authentic tribute to California's rail history, featuring an amazing running model train recreation of a small town.

The dream of many children is to own a toy train set. This museum is "kid-friendly" and allows "big and little kids" to watch model trains travel around several tracks in displays that are much bigger than what Mom will let you build at home! This is a fascinating spot to observe miniature communities to mimic our Santa Clara businesses and activities around the mid-19th century. There are dozens of features, lovingly assembled into actual 3-D and managed by friendly staff. It is nice to also observe how their grandchildren are there, volunteering to operate the trains and help restore the intricate details of life in this miniature display. In addition, several artifacts from trains of the past, along with 100-year-old maps and a library filled with train folklore, make this a delightful way to spend a Saturday or Tuesday evening for both children and their parents. And, admission is free!

This was my first trip to San Jose but was high on my to-do list. If you enjoy trains or model railroads it's a must see! The attention to detail is fantastic. I went of Saturday and went back on Tuesday to see it again!

Bygone days represented in the train museum. If you have an appreciation for locamotives, the SBHR museum is very interesting! Great for families. There is a café inside that serves snacks for purchase. Only 2xs a year the adjacent train is open for visitors!

the largest model train layout I've ever seen. it's free to enter. lots of stuff about trains. Great place for kids or anyone who likes trains. Look for the details, such as birds and a mountain lion.

Excellent model railroad club. Super nice people. Be sure to visit the open houses in the spring and fall for excellent deals at the Swap meet. Take the train to get there, totally worth it. We rode the capital Corridor Amtrak from auburn. Definitely definitely easier than struggling with Bay area traffic. Excellent collection of railroad artifacts inside the museum. They have layouts with ho and N scale. Really fun place to visit.

This place is incredible. Two layouts - HO and N scale. Our 7 year old wants to live here. Seriously. We come here twice a week. Always a great company of people who are into trains and model railroad. Highly recommend, especially if you have kids. Most incredible train experience.

Visited the small but super neat museum before a Caltrain trip. * Museum has a small dedicated parking lot, free admission, located in the restored Santa Clara train station. * Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, & eager to share about the museum, historic photos, signs, & maps. It's neat to learn about the history of rail system and step directly outside to take the next train. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area.

Listen- I have been living in the south bay for ten years and I had no idea that building was a free train museum. Not even the years I lived a short walk away on Benton near SCU. Perhaps it is because it wasn't until 2025 that I found myself noticing trains thanks to my toddler. Calling all train enthusiasts and toddler train lovers! This non-profit volunteer run organization staffs a beautiful and quaint train museum i side the oldest train station that has been beautifully preserved. Inside are hundreds of artifacts including a full model train community that is a replica of Santa Clara and San Jose. It is truly incredible and a hidden gem. The docents are really sweet and they accommodate families by having step stools everywhere so they can see the model trains up close. It is also at the actual train station where you can see Amtrak pass by and people get on and off the CalTrain. This is a must for kids of all ages. They do a storytime on the third Saturday of the month from 10:30-11 am. Hours of operation are Tuesdays from 5-8 pm and Saturdays from 10:00-4:00. Website is www.sbhrs.org and they have a company store on Ebay at TrainGuys_SantaClara They also offer volunteer opportunities! Make this a Saturday by coming here, then driving up Benton a few blocks to the farmers market for brunch/produce/snacks. Choo choo!!

Came by this past Saturday and was entertained for a good 15-30 minutes (though if you have kids with you or you're an ardent fan of trains or railway history, you may feel inclined to stay longer). The highlight for me was the model railroad room, a spacious exhibition with lots of details to explore. The trains chugging along the tracks, the mountains and landscape, as well as other fun little features including miniatures of animals, homes, and businesses are not only enjoyable for kids, but impressive to adults like myself... the rest of what the SBHRS offers is basically extra. The main museum room (Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History) has interesting train and depot elements on display, and Southern Pacific memorabilia, along with descriptions noting the history of such items. They also offer free Model Railroader magazines and VHS tapes here, and have snack and drink vending machines in the corner. Down some steps, near the restrooms, is a small library and historic passenger waiting room with some seating (benches from the original Santa Clara Depot which were restored in 2013) and a few exhibits detailing the history of train conductors, chefs on board, dinnerware and promotional items for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company (behind glass casing)... And with Caltrain running along the railroad tracks right outside, you'll feel like you are actually at the former train station of the past. Only open 2 days per week, Tuesdays and Saturdays, hopefully you can catch them during their extremely limited hours of operation. I can say it was definitely worth the cost to visit... that's mainly cuz it's free, but there were some pretty cool and amusing stuff here too, making time spent here worthwhile.

A little hidden gem for train lovers both young and old. Our young train lover loves coming here to watch the model railroads run. Huge bonus is the train station behind the museum where train lovers can go outside to check out passing trains and go back in to enjoy the smaller version. And, did I mention this place is FREE? (Please do consider donating to their cause so this can remain free for little ones!) Would love to see this place grow and flourish!

Such a fun place for littles! Our littles spent a good hour roaming around watching trains go by and loved going outside to see CalTrain. Free admission. Step stools for littles to see the trains more closely. Public restroom available. Only thing is parking is limited but I saw other reviews mentioning parking at a plaza down the street

We visited here on a Saturday afternoon and were able to spend a good 30 minutes with our toddler. The miniature railroad system is quite big and realistic, there are not only presentation of trains and cars but also old time landmarks, people with different professions(there is a fire station with impressive details inside). However there is an unpleasant smell to the room and we saw a big dead moth lying near the track which is why minus one star. There is a old time train outside which is my favorite part of the tour, it has all wood interior and very pretty, includes a lounge, few rooms, a study and a kitchen. When you come out of the old train you may happen to see Caltrain passing by, or airplane taking off from SJC. Our toddler is obsessed. Like other review mentioned, street parking is very limited, there is parking spaces in the nearby shopping area(where the Starbucks is) that can be used if not staying for long.

Located at the Santa Clara train station, this is a must visit for model train fans. Member supported, there are two layouts, HO and N scale.

This is a cool, free museum that will delight anyone fond of trains. The parking in front of the museum is limited. If you do not get one of those, there is free 2-hour parking in the nearby shopping area with the Starbucks. The hours of the museum are limited, so check it out online before you go!

Took my 20 month old toddler here and it was a nice way to spend 30 - 45 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. PARKING - there are a few spots in the front but by the time we got there around 10:15 they were all taken. It would seem like you should be able to park in the Caltrain lot but I didn't want to take any chance in case we got ticketed. Instead, we parked in the shopping center right next to the museum and walked over. Technically I didn't see anything that say you can't park there, just that there is a 2 hour limit. FEE - it's free! part of the reason why it's worth it even if your little one is antsy or wants to leave half way. MUSEUM - once you walk in there are some artifacts, free magazines and books and then two areas to the left or right. On the left are the bathrooms, the library (very small room) and then the old style waiting room with benches and some more memorabilia. Most of the stuff in the "museum" is probably for older people who are into trains or train artifacts. A 20 month old is not going to care. On the right side are the model trains. They have tons of scenery and train tracks spanning all across the room. In the "authorized personnel" section you'll see people who actually own the trains that come and have a space to run their trains. They seem very into it. There are stools for older kids to stand and see but for our 20 month old, he can't see even when standing. That's one bad thing is you have to hold your child to see the trains, which can be tiring. If your child is like mine then he is very squirmy and antsy (and heavy!) so it was a bit tiring. The trains and scenery are very nice, detailed and elaborate. There is a sign that says you can ask to see Thomas, but I am not sure if anyone asked or if someone did and they didn't have it (I didn't ask). This is probably what was the most engaging for my 20 month old. The last thing is outside you can see the Caltrain trains come by (which is nice for little ones) and then there's an actual older style train that you can look at but you can't go inside (so, not as exciting for a child). Overall, for a little one that loves trains or if you want something to do on a Saturday morning, it's worth it to check it out since it's free. It's open from 10 - 3 on Saturdays.

Entering the Santa Clara Train Station is almost like going back to the 1860s. The restoration of the building is fantastic, and the train layouts are a lot of fun to watch when the trains are running. But in my opinion, the best part is the Edward Peterman Museum, filled with memorabilia of another age. Well done, SBHRS!

This place is amazing. I love taking pictures of miniatures/model figures, so someone told me about this Museum in the old Santa Clara train depot. I decided to visit on a Saturday. I was literally a kid in a candy store. I was full of happiness and couldn't hold it back. The amount of details that goes into designer the model cities and model trains is beyond remarkable. The guys down there are amazing. I've made a promise to myself to donate at least every month. I took pictures while I was there, so enjoy,

Great for kids who love trains. The layout is fun and huge and they have a library and history mini museum.

"Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him."--Dwight D. Eisenhower I was not aware that the South Bay Historical Railroad Society (SBHRS) even existed until last week, when I ran into a friend who told me about taking his son there. Instantly, I knew this would be the perfect place to take a train-crazed 4-year-old on a rainy Saturday. The SBHRS is located in the old Santa Clara Passenger Depot just outside the Caltrain station. Constructed in late 1863 by the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company, this building has changed hands many times and undergone several renovations. Currently operated by the SBHRS, in conjunction with the City of Santa Clara, it's a non-profit preservation site run chiefly by volunteers. Here's what you'll need to know before you visit: Parking- There's a row of approximately 20 spots in front of the SBHRS, that's meant for them. If those are full then you can park at the nearby Caltrain lot for $5; you can take a chance and park there for free, but risk a $39 citation. There's also parking at the shopping center nearby, but that has a two hour limit (which is more than enough). Admission- The SBHRS is free during normal business hours, but they will gladly accept donations to help keep them going. They do charge fees for special events**, but those are far and few between. Time- The SBHRS is open only on a limited basis on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Membership- You can join the SBHRS with an initial $75 donation ($45 Senior) and a $25/monthly donation ($20/Senior) after that. Visit this website for more info: http://www.sbhrs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=4&Itemid=84 Features: -They have an extensive library that houses over 3,500 books and 500 videos on various train-related subjects, with a concentration of them pertaining to Northern California Railways. The books are available for viewing by all, but can only be checked out by members of the SBHRS. -The building itself is a historical landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (http://www.nps.gov/nr//travel/santaclara/scd.htm); it was once the "oldest continuously operating railroad depot west of the Mississippi" until the ticket office closed in May, 1997. -The Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History is located inside the Depot, and houses a myriad of historic railroad artifacts. -There is a huge room inside that houses two fully operational HO (1:87.1) and N (1:148) model railroad layouts. This is easily the coolest part of the SBHRS. I've always been captivated by all the details in those little scenes they have around the tracks: Farms, Quarries, Townscapes and even movable Pumpjacks! My son was enthralled by the whole thing and moving around to check it all out; FYI, they provide step stools for the "vertically challenged" to check out all the action. -As I mentioned before, the SBHRS is right outside an active Caltrain station, so if the kiddies want to see some real train action, then you're never more than a few feet away from some. Plan to spend anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how involved you want to explore everything and how train crazy your kid is. I guess they give out the occasional tour to school kids, which I'd love to be a part of. From what I've read the history of this building is pretty neat, and I'd love to learn more, but until then: All aboooooard! Choo-Choo! **Please check out the the Yelp Events page for their Spring Open House in April if you're interested (http://www.yelp.com/events/santa-clara-spring-open-house-and-model-train-display-at-the-south-bay-historical-railroad-society ).

I do not understand how anyone can give this place a routing less than five stars. Unless you were so Hanford in the 21st-century that everything has to be so mark that you cannot appreciate history at all. This is a beautiful resource for children and grownups I like that everybody should come too. Highly highly highly recommended.

Awesome for young boys that love trains. They even have a Thomas train that runs. Great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

My sister and I stopped in for a "quick" look. We ended up spend lots of time talking in all the model's and cool things this place offers. So much to look at and take in. You cam tell these guys like what they do. We even found an old clock from Ohio. Was definitely worth the walk through. They were very nice people on the inside full of info.

Found this place 6yrs ago as an article in be newspaper and been coming on/off a few times a year since. We love to come Saturday's and timing it before noon-130'ish you can catch Caltrain and Amtrak stopping off at the station too. The station is antique and restored just right. Library, signs and old train videos playing with folks who are passionate and love trains there to help, talk and teach anyone who wants to knows more. The mini railroad part is the gem of this place. 2 large areas with 12+ tracks. Typically 4-6 trains going along with train members showing off their trains and running them. Never know what you might see from the diffract garages. Always fun for the kids and adults, don't forget to put a few dollars in the donation box; after all it is free admission. They do have snack machines if in a pinch for something and super clean restrooms too.. And

What a great little place. Depending on your (or your kid's) interest, you could spend anywhere from half an hour to a number of hours here! There's a lot to see and watch with the model trains, and plenty to read about for older visitors. This is a good indoor activity in that they keep it closed up and warm enough when it's chilly out, although note that there's not a ton of space to run around if anyone feels cooped up!

Took my Nephew here but it was closed. Still had fun looking at stuff. If your little one is a fan of trains, busses and cars this is a fun place to get the wiggles out. And how exciting to watch the trains come and go. Also, Hula Dog is in walking distant. That was a FUN exciting find! We are going back on Saturday when it is open!

Fun little place to drop by and do a 30 min to 2 hour visit; depending your interest and if you got kids with you or not. Cute things there. Lots of toy trains or model trains displayed. Modeling all kinds real life places and environments. Model trains operating continuously. You cannot tell the museum is there and it's a nice surprise after entering through the large bulky wooden sliding doors. Train station type doors. Really, unless someone took me there, I would never have guessed this place existed inside that historic building in Santa Clara next to the railroad tracks.

Incredible. This place is so awesome, the details, the dedication of the curators/members/hobbyists, etc. is beyond "feel good". What a treasure.

We stopped by the South Bay Historical Railroad Society ( http://www.sbhrs.org/ ) this afternoon. It's a nice little train museum but more important it is home to a great model railroad club. They have two large model railroads, one in "HO" and one in "N" gauge if you are familiar with these scales. Both layouts had several trains running while we were there, including on of the largest collection of boxcars connected in a single train that I have ever seen on a scale train setup. It was great. We had a great time. they are only open to the public on Tuesday evenings and Saturday from 10 to 3. I recommend it as a great place to spend 1/2 hour on a Saturday afternoon. oh. and its FREE! But if you enjoy it, please consider a donation to help keep it going.

Went there today with the kids. The place is very small and is broken up into two rooms. The first room contains older railroad artifacts as well as a history video which continually played. The kids don't appreciate these things however I enjoy them. The second room is much larger and has two very large electric train track sets. The kids loved watching the trains go around and around. There is a passenger car from the early 1900s being restored out back. I think it will be an attraction once finished. There is no admission fee which is great, and I feel it was hour out our day.

Interested in railroading artifacts? Then perhaps the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History located w/i the historic depot would require some of your attention. Here, one can find old photos, numerous lanterns and lamps, drum heads, signs, track switches, and crossing signals.

I 've been passing this building every time I ride the Caltran but never been inside. Until one day I was waiting for my wife ro pick her up on an afternoon commute hours and I saw the building open and says Museum Open. I invited.myself in to my surprise. I saw train artifacts of the past. And then walking on the back of the room was the icing of the cake..a miniature railroad models that captivated my eyes and heart. U became a child looking at the trains running aroundnthe tracks passing by mountains..cutting through tunnels..going. to the cities and towns... The miniature model is so intricate and captured a small town with different sceneries. Until the Caltrain arrived I rushed out to greet.my wife and told her all about it. I even ask her to check it.out and made her smile. This little museum.is like the littlw engine.that could that will leave a nice memory and relive your childhood for a moment.

This place is terrific! I take my grandson there often. If you have a little kiddle that loves trains, go visit. They have lots of trains running by members, two different sizes, and... it's free!

I'm not much into trains but I know a few people who are so have been here a couple of times. The admission is free and for that you get a very cool little museum with a huge model train layout. There's a lot of other railroad type artifacts (schedules, hardware, etc.) and some docents who are always ready to 'train talk'. This depot is not to be missed - especially if you're a train nut.

We celebrate my son's birthday party and all volunteers were great. Location, scale train and volunteers very patient with +20 kids. My son was do happy that deserve 5 stars!

Fun and free activity for kids (and adults too). Great place for a Saturday afternoon visit or Tuesday evening. Two huge model train layouts with trains running through all sorts of scenes and terrain. Lots of interesting railroad artifacts in the museum. Both days the museum is open offer lots of opportunities to see real trains in action too. The museum is right next to the tracks of the Santa Clara Train station, so you can see commuter, Amtrak, and occasional freight trains go by. Best time is Saturday afternoon between 12:45 and 1:30 when you can see Caltrains and an Amtrak stop at the station and a Caltrain Baby Bullet shoot by at 80 mph. I've been coming to this museum for about 4 or 5 years several times a year since my son was about three years old. The layouts change from visit to visit, so it's always interesting to stop by and see what is new.

no admission fee which is great and the girlfriend put up with it so we're good. nice establishment and can't wait until the next attraction is finsished and maybe a little more spacious but very cool.

We attempted to have a field trip here. We booked months in advance and spoke to Woody Rider the Events Coordinator. Our class/school was confirmed on their website calendar for a tour. All 26 children and 10 drivers/parents arrived on time and checked every possible door there and no one was there to give us a tour. We tried calling and got an answering machine. We tried emailing to no avail. We double/triple checked the website to see if we had the right date (WE DID). When I finally heard back two hours after the scheduled tour, he said he had forgotten our planned visit. Such a disappointment to the children AND the parents/teacher who took time out of their busy schedules to chaperone. Woody was apologetic but this is just something that shouldn't have fallen through. Shouldn't an events coordinator keep track of the museums calendar?. A real shame because MANY of the parents including the teacher had never been there and were really looking forward to it but we will not be re-scheduling as it takes way too much effort and time to schedule, coordinate and plan these things with the school/teacher/parents. TERRIBLE.