Miniature Railroad Spotlight

Featuring

The Travel Town Railroad

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The Travel Town Railroad in Los Angeles, California

          Located inside Griffith Park in Los Angeles California, Travel Town is a wonderful combination of recreation center and transportation museum. The museum features outside exhibits as well as inside displays, picnic benches, and of course a miniature train ride.

Travel Town engine "Courage"

Travel Town bench

          Dedicated in 1952 the museum began as an idea by rail enthusiasts in the 1940's to display full size steam locomotives near the Griffith Park miniature railroad. With the steam era drawing to a close the museum was able to get donations from several major California railroads. The collection now includes 16 locomotives, 20 passenger cars, freight cars and cabooses as well as 4 interurbans and motor cars.

View of engine and tender		Depot as seen from the train
Passing the watertank		Observation car
Backing into the car barn		Shutting the car barn at the end of the day

          The 16" gauge covered Pullman style miniature coaches were built by George Reddington of Los Angeles, California and purchased by the museum in 1976. The track circles the perimeter of the travel town museum grounds and is approximately 1/3 of a mile in length. The train ride consists of two loops around the track which provides a wonderful view of the outdoor displays.

          There's an excellent view of the switch yard leading to a 4 stall engine house from one of the most impressive pedestrian overpasses I've ever seen. It was also fun to see the old Sandley switch throws being used in the switch yard.

          Travel Town's official website can be found here: Travel Town

"Little General" on display

Full size standard gauge displays