All Aboard the Diablo Valley Lines: Model Railroad Fun in Walnut Creek

From the Walnut Creek Convention & Visitors Bureau:

Families and train buffs can ‘ride’ the Diablo Valley Lines all year long during their 2015 whistle stop shows, featuring hundreds of model trains representing the mid-20th century through today, traveling over 4,300 feet of track on one of the world’s most mountainous model railroad layouts.

Treat Dad on Father’s Day!

• Other Father’s Day activities:
• Dad’s Day at Denio’s
• Every Dad Loves A Train: How About Napa Valley Wine Train For Father’s Day?
• Would Pops Like A Cruise On F.D.R.’s Boat For Father’s Day?

Now in its seventh decade, every show includes a dramatic sunset and night scenes with a rainy thunderstorm, a street railway with trolley cars, big freight yards and a large passenger terminal.

The elaborate 34- by 56-foot layout includes a composite of the mountainous area of the Western United States, bridges, tunnels, terrain from desert to snow covered mountains, towns, train yards, electric street cars, wind turbine, ski lift gondola and more. More than 200 train cars and 50 steam and diesel engines are in operation during the show, dispatched by two dedicated Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society members.

2015 June – November Show Schedule:

· June 20: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday)

· June 21: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Father’s Day Sunday)

· June 26: 8 p.m. (Friday)

· July 31: 8 p.m. (Friday)

· August 28: 8 p.m. (Friday)

· September 19: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday)

· September 20: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Sunday)

· September 25: 8 p.m. (Friday)

· October 30: 8 p.m. (Friday)

· November 20: 8 p.m. (Friday)

· November 21: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday)

· November 22: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Sunday)

· November 27: 2 – 10 p.m. (Friday)

· November 28: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday)

· November 29: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Sunday)

The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society started in 1948 with a group of men with an interest in the hobby, meeting at each other’s homes. They also displayed a 4 by 8 foot portable model railroad layout at special events such as the annual Walnut Festival held each Fall in a city park.

The first permanent railroad came alive in an old Southern Pacific Railroad freight shed moved onto a leased site near the Walnut Creek Southern Pacific Depot in 1950. This location served to house an impressive model railroad layout of 20 by 40 feet until 1970 when city construction forced the Society to relocate twice in as many years.

The Society solved the clubhouse problem by reaching an agreement with the City of Walnut Creek for the present site in Larkey Park. This structure became the first in California (and one of a very few in the world!) to be designed and built specifically to house a model railroad. The actual construction work was finished in two years by members of the Society at no cost to the City. Upon completion in 1974 the building was donated to the City and the building of the railroad commenced.

Where: Larkey Park, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek.

Fares: Adults-$3; Senior-$2 (age 60+); Children-$2 (age 6-12); Under 6 years - free.

For more DVL information: www.wcmrs.org or call 925-937-1888. To see the trains in action, please visit WCMRS.