The RailGiants Train Museum houses an outstanding collection of significant locomotives and rolling stock. The site is on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. The collection includes locomotive No. 9000, the only UP 4-12-2 in existence, locomotive No. 5021, the only Southern Pacific 4-10-2 in existence, rare Santa Fe 4-6-4 No. 3450, and UP Centennial diesel No. 6915. The center of museum activities is the former Santa Fe Depot from Arcadia, Calif., built in 1895 and preserved in 1969. Of course, the museum was once home to the Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014.
Choices
At the RailGiants Train Museum, you can wander among the exhibits, various locomotives, a heavyweight Pullman lounge, a Santa Fe wood caboose, a refrigerator car, a Santa Fe horse express car, UP diesel locomotive SD40-2 No. 3105, UP caboose No. 24567, and much more.
When to go
The exhibit is open one weekend every month and daily during the Los Angeles County Fair in September. As a member, you can take part in the museum’s Rail Meetings for monthly updates, interesting programs about railroads, and visit with fellow members.
Good to know
This is one group with roots. A part of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, the Southern California Chapter began in 1953 and opened its first exhibit with Climax geared locomotive No. 3, a donation of Sunkist Growers. Of course, the museum is home to the “Birthplace of the Big Boy Steam Dream” as Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 was once displayed before being restored to operation.
Don’t miss
Look for U.S. Potash 2-8-0 No. 3. It is the museum’s only 3-foot-gauge locomotive.
Getting there
Suburban Los Angeles is the location. The site is easily accessed off Interstate 10. When the fair is open, you can even take a Metrolink commuter train to the grounds.
Location: 1101 West McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA
Phone: 909-623-0190
Website: railgiants.org
E-mail: Form on website
