Amazing Trains and Planes Miniature Exhibit at Hiller Aviation Museum
All aboard for the annual Trains and Planes Spring Model Train Show!
10 am – 4 pm each day
Saturday, April 4 to Sunday, April 12
If you’ve got a soft spot for locomotives, scenery dioramas, or just love watching tiny trains do their thing—this is your stop. The Hiller Aviation Museum is bringing in multiple model train layouts this year, and trust us, there’s something for every railfan.
Diablo Pacific Short Line
Display dates: Saturday, April 4 – Sunday, April 12
Big trains, small scale, major wow factor. The Diablo Pacific Short Line is a massive G-scale setup that’s kind of a celebrity on the Bay Area train circuit. These folks know their stuff—they’ve shown up at parks, museums, hobby shows, and more. And as one of the oldest and largest modular train clubs in the world, their display doesn’t just impress—it moves.
- Kid-friendly height = happy, wide-eyed little ones
- Miniature worlds with big-time scenic detail and animation
- Steam locomotives from the 1800s to sleek modern diesels
- Freight cars, passenger trains, and everything in between
- Train history? You’ll leave feeling like a mini historian
- Bonus: learn from hobbyists who can build a mountain and wire it, too
Golden Gate Lionel Railroad Club
Display dates: Saturday, April 4 – Sunday, April 12
This crew has been laying down serious track since 1986, and they’re still going full steam ahead. The Golden Gate Lionel Railroad Club brings in a classic three-rail O-scale layout that spans a whopping 20 ft. x 35 ft.—with multiple loops, plenty of detail, and lots of charm.
Fun fact: this is layout number four since the club was founded. And with all the tinkering and detailing members keep doing, it’s basically a living, breathing (well, chugging) work in progress. Keep your eyes peeled—there’s magic in the tiny details.
🔗 Check them out at www.gglrrc.org
AsiaNRail
Display dates: Wednesday, April 8 – Sunday, April 12
Pack your (imaginary) bags and ride the rails across Asia with AsiaNRail, a beautifully curated layout that travels through rice terraces, mountain temples, and storybook villages. It’s like National Geographic… with trains.
Expect:
- N scale models from Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, Thailand, Russia, and beyond
- Steam, diesel, and electric locomotives doing their thing
- Traditional architecture, scenic gems, and cultural backdrops
- Mini-history lessons baked into every scene
First shown in 2008, AsiaNRail has popped up at shows all over the Bay Area. It’s art, culture, and motion—all in one track-hugging display.
Peninsula NTRAK
Display dates: Wednesday, April 8 – Sunday, April 12
What happens when detail-obsessed train lovers get their hands on N scale? You get Peninsula NTRAK, a club that’s been wowing crowds since 1991.
They follow international NTRAK standards, which means their modules can plug into layouts all over the world—literally. From Caltrain to Canadian freights to the occasional Thomas the Tank Engine cameo, this display packs serious variety in a space-friendly format.
- Trains from the U.S., Mexico, Canada… and even Japan’s bullet trains
- Long, winding routes that mimic real mainlines
- Built with insane detail by members who’ve taken their modules from Sacramento to Portland and back again
🔗 Want more? www.ttrainweb.org/pntrak
Swiss Narrow Gauge
Display dates: Saturday, April 4 – Wednesday, April 8
Say hello to Alpine charm. The Swiss Narrow H0m Gauge display brings the elegance of European railways to life with stunning detail and iconic trains like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express.
- Built in HO scale, but with a narrow gauge twist (for you model train nerds, that’s 12mm track spacing)
- Inspired by Swiss railroads including RhB, FO, BVZ, MGB, and more
- Includes a dreamy model of Chamby station and a jaw-dropping stone arch viaduct
- Elevation changes? Yes please. Some modules even loop over themselves!
This is the kind of layout that makes you want to pack a fondue set and head to the Alps.
Golden Gate American Flyer Club
Display dates: Saturday, April 5 – Wednesday, April 9
Classic, vintage, and full of heart—this club is all about S Gauge trains, first made popular by A.C. Gilbert in the post-war years. The Golden Gate American Flyer Club keeps that spirit alive with regular meetings (Zoom for out-of-towners, in-person for hands-on fun), train runs, and a whole lot of swapping and collecting.
You’ll see:
- Beautiful S Gauge trains from multiple eras and makers
- A modular layout that gets plenty of love at train shows
- A friendly community that knows their way around an Erector set or two
If you’ve got a soft spot for postwar nostalgia—or just really cool trains—you’ll want to make time for this one.
Trains GG American Club 2048×1536
For more events at the museum, please visit their calendar.
See other interesting events in San Carlos. You may also check the main calendar for the dates of these, or to save them on your personal calendar.
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Mark Martinho and Vivienne Kelvin are the hosts of San Carlos Life and have been residents of San Carlos for years. While running San Carlos Life together with an awesome team, Mark and Viv are also in the business of real estate. They are the co-owners of Vabrato, a real estate brokerage serving the City of Good Living and the whole of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. With over 30 years of combined experience in the business and 95% of their clients coming in from referrals, Mark and Viv take great pride and joy in exceeding your expectations.
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