2026 PSR Convention "All Aboard For 2026" (A Model Train Convention) Registration and Hotel Reservation Information:

• CONVENTION REGISTRATION: To register now, please click here to go directly to the registration page for the PSR "All Aboard For 2026" Model Train Convention.
• HOTEL RESERVATIONS: To book the discounted hotel convention rate of $194.00 per night, please click here. You can also book your hotel reservation over the phone by calling (800) 222-8733 [or (800) 222-TREE] with your Group Code: PWS
• Dates: September 9-13, 2026.
• Hotel Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego-Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, California 92108, USA.

2026 PSR Convention "All Aboard For 2026" (A Model Train Convention) Overview and Details, Who Can Attend, Convention Registration and Hotel Registration

• Convention: The PSR "All Aboard for 2026" Model Train Convention is a model train convention that will be fun five filled days that will include model railroad clinics, model railroad layout tours, Operation Sessions, prototype tours, a swap meet, Hobo Auction and more.
• Dates: September 9-13, 2026
• CONVENTION REGISTRATION: To register now, please click here to go directly to the registration page for the PSR "All Aboard For 2026" Model Train Convention.
• HOTEL RESERVATIONS: To book the discounted hotel convention rate of $194.00 per night, please click here. You can also book your hotel reservation over the phone by calling (800) 222-8733 [or (800) 222-TREE] with your Group Code: PWS
• Hotel Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego-Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, California 92108, USA.
  • Hotel amenities include a concierge, non-smoking rooms, Windows Cafe (breakfast buffet), Cafe Pronto (breakfast sandwiches, deli, Starbucks coffee), Lounge 72 (restaurant), indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center and more.
  • The hotel is located within the Hazard Center Shopping Mall which is located centrally in San Diego in Mission Valley.
  • The major freeways close to the hotel are the I-163 and I-8 freeways.
  • There is a convenient trolley stop near the hotel. The trolley stop is called the Hazard Center Station that services the Green Line trolley route.
  • San Diego Trolley Map.
• Who can attend? Every model railroader (and their guests) worldwide are welcome to attend. This means those modelers who are members or who are not members of the National Model Railroad Association are welcome (and their guests) to join our model train convention.
• Note: Model railroaders modeling any scale or scales are welcome.
• A Regional Convention: This is a regional NMRA model train convention specifically for NMRA members in Southern California, Southern Nevada and Arizona but any model railroader is welcome to attend even if you are not an NMRA member.
• Frequency Of Our Model Train Convention: The PSR Model Train Convention is held once every four years in San Diego! As this convention is held only once every four years, we encourage all model railroaders to take advantage of this infrequent and valuable opportunity to connect, learn and enjoy the hobby together.
• Have you scheduled time off with your employer? Please remember to schedule time off now with your employer, so you have your vacation days (paid or unpaid vacation days) locked in.
• Convention Organizers: The model train convention is sponsored by the San Diego Division of the Pacific Southwest Region (PSR) of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA).
• San Diego Division = The San Diego County and Imperial County NMRA group
• PSR = Pacific Southwest Region (Includes Greater Los Angeles, Palmdale, Southern Nevada, San Diego County, Imperial County and Arizona. The PSR includes the Los Angeles Division, the Cajon Division, the San Diego Division and the Arizona Division.)
• NMRA = National Model Railroad Association

The PSR Model Train Convention "All Aboard For 2026" will include:

• Welcome Reception: The Welcome Night will be at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park
• Clinics (workshops)
• Model Railroad Layout Tours
• Operation Sessions
• Model Railroad Layout Module Displays
• Prototype Tours
• Celebration Of Models
• Swap Meet
• Hobo Auction
• Guest Speaker
• Awards Banquet
• Raffles
• And more!!

Our model train convention will not only be a great place to learn more about model railroading but will be a place you can relax around people with the same interest in model railroading as you do. The convention will also allow you to see current friends, reconnect with old friends and meet new friends in the model railroading hobby.

Please remember that rates are subject to change, so once we start booking clinics and our prototype tour, please book early to lock in your rates. Events, clinics and prototype tours may change over the course of time, so please keep this mind.

Model Railroader Information, Rail Fanning, Model Train Clubs, Model Train Rides and Prototype Museums:

• Hobby Shops:
  • Reed's Hobby Shop, 8039 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa, California 91942. This is our premier hobby shop. The hobby shop has N scale, HO scale and G scale trains. Located in La Mesa. From the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego - Mission Valley, the hobby shop is about a 10 minute drive east, using the I-8 freeway.
    • You can take the trolley from the Hazard Center Station (near the hotel) to visit Reed's Hobby Shop.
    • Take the Green Line to downtown's City College Station.
    • Then switch to the Orange Line and go east and then debark at the La Mesa Boulevard Station.
    • Reed's Hobby Shop is located several blocks west of the La Mesa Boulevard Station.
  • Frank The Trainman, 4233 Park Boulevard, San Diego, California 92103. This hobby shop has HO scale and O scale trains. They typically do not sell DCC & Sound locomotives. Located in Hillcrest. From the hotel by car, the hobby shop is about five minutes south and east of the hotel. Can be easily accessed by car. Also, if driving a car, the hobby shop is located about five minutes north of downtown San Diego.
    • You can take the Green Line trolley from the Hazard Center Station to downtown.
    • Debark off at the City College Station.
    • Then find the 11th Avenue Bus Stop.
    • Then take a Rapid Bus 215 that drives north along Park Boulevard into Hillcrest and then debark at the Park Boulevard and Howard Avenue Bus Stop.
• Rail Fanning:
  • 22nd Street Railroad Yard (For rail fanning, located in downtown San Diego. Can take the trolley to the Gaslamp Quarter Station to rail fan.) Freight trains are currently leaving San Diego around 7:45 p.m. but this can change without notice.)
  • Old Town Station (In Old Town San Diego.)
  • Middle Town Trolley Station (All trolley stations near downtown San Diego are good places for rail fanning.)
  • Sorrento Valley Train Station
  • Oceanside Transit Station
  • Note: Any train station along the San Diego coast are good places to rail fan. 
• Model Railroad Clubs or Displays:
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum (Located in Balboa Park. There are four independently run model railroad clubs at the museum)
  • Chula Vista Live Steamers (Located in Chula Vista. About a 25 minute ride, south of the hotel.)
  • North County Model Railroad Society (Located north of the hotel in Oceanside in San Diego North County.) 
  • Short Track Model Railroad Club (Located inside the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. It is north of the hotel and is in North County San Diego)
  • Walter Anderson Nursery Garden Railroad (Model railroad display.)
• Model Train Rides: 
  • Balboa Park Miniature Railroad (Located next to the San Diego Zoo. It's to the south of the zoo.)
  • Poway-Midland Railway (Located in Poway.)
  • Chula Vista Live Steamers (Located in Chula Vista. About a 25 minute ride, south of the hotel.)
  • Legoland Express Train Ride (Located inside Legoland.)
• Railroad Museums:
  • San Diego Electric Railway Association, Inc. & National City Depot Museum (The trolley museum is located in National City. About a 15 minute drive south of the hotel.)
  • Poway-Midland Railway (Located in Poway, northeast of the hotel.)
  • La Mesa Depot (Part of the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Depot, located in La Mesa.)
  • Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Campo Depot (Located in Campo, California. It is about a one hour drive east of the hotel.)

Non-Model Railroaders will find that San Diego has many attractions, restaurants, shopping, local towns and beaches that include some of the following:

• There Are Many Places To Shop: Hazard Center Shopping Mall, Fashion Valley Mall, Mission Valley Mall, Historic Old Town, Gaslamp Quarter, Sea Port Village and more.
• Good Food Is Everywhere: Downtown San Diego, San Diego Bay, Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, North Park, Normal Heights, La Jolla, Point Loma, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Valley and more.
• Beaches: Coronado Beach, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, Ocean Beach, La Jolla Shores are some of the beaches that are conveniently located near the hotel by car. There are many more beaches in San Diego that can be visited by car or by train.
• Areas to Visit:
  • Balboa Park: Has many museums, attractions and restaurants and includes the San Diego Zoo.
  • San Diego Bay: San Diego Bay, Waterfront Park, Harbor Island, Shelter Island, San Diego Bay Cruises, Hotel del Coronado, Whale Watching, Maritime Museum of San Diego, USS Midway Museum.
  • Downtown San Diego: San Diego Bay, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Central Library, Balboa Theatre, Horton Grand Theatre, San Diego Civic Theater, Little Italy, San Diego Firehouse Museum (near Little Italy) and more.
  • Gaslamp Quarter: The Gaslamp Quarter is a historic neighborhood in downtown San Diego. It extends from Broadway to Harbor Drive and from 4th to 6th Avenue. It includes over 90 historic buildings, most of which were constructed in the Victorian era; many are in use as restaurants, tourist shops, convenient stores, clothing and apparel stores, galleries, liquor stores, delis, fast food, bars, entertainment venues and nightclubs. 
  • Little Italy: Little Italy is a neighborhood in downtown San Diego that consists of Italian restaurants, grocery stores, home design stores, art galleries and residential units. Little Italy is an active neighborhood with frequent festivals and events including a weekly farmers market, also known as the Mercato (the Market, in Italian). 
  • Seaport Village: Seaport Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex adjacent to San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego. The complex houses more than 70 shops, galleries and eateries on 90,000 square feet (8,000 m2) on bay front property. It contains several freestanding buildings in an assortment of architectural styles, from Victorian to traditional Mexican. Designed to be a car-free environment, the complex features four miles (6 km) of winding paths, rather than streets connecting the various buildings. It is located in walking distance from the San Diego Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter and the cruise ship terminal. 
  • Old Town San Diego: Old Town San Diego is a tourist area that encompasses Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Old Town, San Diego Viejo Plaza and also many restaurants, clothing shops and tourist shops in the area. The park commemorates the early days of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. 
  • Point Loma: Point Loma has a variety of restaurants, fishing excursion trips, shopping and tourist destinations such as Liberty Station, Liberty Public Market, Cabrillo National Monument and the Point Loma Light House.
  • Ocean Beach: Ocean Beach is a very relaxed but vibrant bohemian beachfront neighborhood in San Diego. It is north of Point Loma and is south of Mission Bay and Mission Beach. When in Ocean Beach, you might feel as if you have traveled back to the 1960s. It is known for its beautiful beach that is used by sunbathers, sandcastle making, surfers and is used for fishing. The Ocean Beach Pier and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park are two major attractions there. There are approximately 400 restaurants, tourist shops and bars throughout the entire Ocean Beach area. Ocean Beach is also home to multiple local festivals throughout the year.
  • Pacific Beach: Pacific Beach is known for its beautiful beach, the Pacific Beach Pier and has a more developed nightlife scene, with a variety of bars, eateries and clothing stores located along Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard. Pacific Beach is bounded by La Jolla to the north, Mission Beach and Mission Bay to the south, Interstate 5 and Clairemont to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

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  • Coronado Island: Coronado Island is location of the Coronado Beach and the Hotel del Coronado. The Coronado Beach is known for sunbathing and taking long walks along the beach.
  • Ocean Beach: Ocean Beach is known for sunbathing, beach volleyball, wading in the ocean, walking along the ocean, the Ocean Beach Pier, surfing, fishing and more.
  • Mission Beach: Mission Beach includes the beach, Mission Beach Boardwalk, Mission Bay and Belmont Park Amusement Park. Mission Beach is a community built on a sandbar and is between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. Mission Beach spans nearly two miles of ocean front. Walking on the boardwalk, sunbathing, fishing, surfing and more are popular ways to enjoy this beach community.
  • Mission Bay: Mission Bay is an artificial saltwater bay located south of the Pacific Beach community of San Diego that was created from approximately 2,000 acres of historical wetland, marsh and a saltwater bay habitat.
    • Mission Bay is part of the recreational Mission Bay Park, the largest man-made aquatic park in the United States, consisting of 4,235 acres, approximately 46% land and 54% water. The combined area makes Mission Bay Park the ninth largest municipally owned park in the United States.
    • Mission Bay Park is home to boating, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, camping, bicycling, jogging, roller skating, skateboarding, picnic and sunbathing. 
  • La Jolla: La Jolla is known for La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla Shores Park, Birch Aquarium, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Salk Institute and more.
• Amusement Parks: Sea World (In Mission Bay), Belmont Park Amusement Park (In Mission Beach), Legoland (In Carlsbad) and Sesame Place San Diego (Chula Vista).
• Tours: San Diego Trolley Tour (Hop On Hop Off), Two-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown San Diego.
• Other interests: San Diego is also home to comedy clubs, bicycling, walking tours, food tours, E-scooter Tours, the Riverwalk Golf Course, iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Dave & Busters, Segway tours, kayaking, boat rentals, donut tours, fishing and more. 
• Local neighborhoods: Downtown San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and Point Loma are just some of the local neighborhoods near the hotel. 
• Visit San Diego Cities Along the Coast: You can take the San Diego Coaster Train to visit Oceanside, The Oceanside Pier, Carlsbad Village and other popular places along the coast. Take the San Diego Trolley (Green Line) near the DoubleTree hotel to the Old Town Station, then switch to the San Diego Coaster.
  • Going to Little Italy, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, downtown or the San Diego Bay? Take the trolley by the DoubleTree Hotel, The Hazard Center Station, and take the Green Line trolley to visit all these destinations.

Transit Information

• San Diego Trolley (light rail). There is a trolley station within walking distance from the DoubleTree Hotel. The trolley is the most convenient way to travel to downtown San Diego to visit many of the tourist areas.
• San Diego Coaster Passenger Train.
  • Tips: Please remember, tap on before entering and tap off after leaving. If you don't tap off after exiting the train, the system will continue to charge you until you tap off your card or app.
  • If you purchase a paper ticket, then tapping on or off is not necessary. 
  • The San Diego Coaster passenger train is half the cost of taking the Amtrack Surfliner passenger train.  
• San Diego Trolley (light rail). 
• Amtrack Surfliner passenger train. The Amtrack Surfliner is a more expensive train to take along the coast; however, there is a cafe car and baggage car. 
• Water Taxi: You can take a water taxi from the San Diego Bay to Coronado Island and back. Please check times and costs as the times of service during the day and in the early evening. 

Trolley Stations

• The Old Town Transit Station typically has several trolley personnel helping people purchase tickets for the Coaster, Amtrack or the trolley. The Old Town Transit Station is where you can change to trains and other trolley lines.
• Hazard Center Trolley Station. The Hazard Center Trolley Station is a just a few minutes by walking from the DoubleTree Hotel. The Green Line trolley is the trolley that you catch at the Hazard Center Trolley Station which takes you conveniently to most of the downtown tourist destinations.
• Old Town Transit Center. Old Town Transit Center. 

Some National Model Railroad Association Definitions and Acronyms:

• Division = The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) has named all the local NMRA groups "Divisions" instead of calling them "clubs." The reason why each local NMRA group is called a Division, is that model railroad clubs usually have permanent layout (or are module clubs) and NMRA Divisions don't usually have a model railroad layout for its members. What NMRA Divisions offer to its members are holding monthly meetings and events.
  • Our meetings, called Meets, can include "how-to" clinics (which are workshops where any type modeling techniques are taught), Show & Tell, swap meets, auctions, pot lucks and more.
  • Our events can be prototype tours, layout tours, model train conventions and more.
  • The name of the NMRA's Division in San Diego, is called the San Diego Division.
• PSR = The Pacific Southwest Region (PSR) is a region of four southwest (USA) NMRA Divisions. The Pacific Southwest Region the San Diego Division, the Los Angeles Division, the Cajon Division and the Arizona Division.
• NMRA = Founded in 1935, the National Model Railroad association (NMRA) began when model railroading was in its infancy, without standards that ensured interchangeability. The NMRA was the organization that set those Standards and Recommended Practices which still guide manufacturers and consumers alike.
  • Today, the NMRA has 150 NMRA Divisions, 18 NMRA Regions, hosts a national NMRA train convention each year, has a printed and PDF magazine, has a partnership program (where companies, train museums and other vendors, nationwide, offer discounts to NMRA members), has The Kalmbach Memorial Library (which may be the largest railroad reference and research center in the world), has an Achievement Program, a Master Model Railroader program and much more. 
  • A list of NMRA Benefits of Membership is here on our website as well as on the NMRA website.