The Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society is an amazing work of volunteer craftsmanship located at the Skunk Train. Worth a visit!

Have about 10 model trains running simultaneously. My children spent an hour there and still didn’t want to leave. Volunteers who build the trains/tracks were onsite and very helpful answering questions.

MENDOCINO MODEL RAILWAY, FORT BRAGG: My family and I, literally, stumbled upon this wonderful little vacation nugget. We had just been out walking and a gentleman struck up a conversation with my husband about the Skunk Train that is across the street from where we were standing. It wasn’t long before he pointed out that since we had been on the Skunk Train we could get into the MENDOCINO MODEL RAILWAY MUSEUM for free. Well, we thought that was a bargain, so we decided to take him up on his offer and ambled through the door. While I was a bit disappointed in the rustic nature of the museum, the dust and the museum having more than that “lived in” look, after I started looking around at the trains, I really began to be impressed. Not being an aficionado or model railroad buff, I didn’t think this place had much to offer me. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed watching the trains. I could tell that many, many hours of work had gone into constructing (and obviously maintaining) the trains and support systems. The docent seemed to have a wealth of knowledge and with apparent love for the subject bubbled over with knowledge of the trains, love of them, and pure delight. It seem he loved talking with us as much as he loved talking about trains–yes–he definitely was a people person.
I think I was fascinated by the miniaturization of things. The taking of large things and reducing them down to such a small size that they fit onto a table for us to peer into with one eye. How fascinating. It seems to give us–even mankind–a different perspective into things of this world. If we observe these things differently, why not the things of the spiritual world? It reminds me about that new movie out, now, with similar themes.
Look, since I highly recommend the Skunk Train to everyone, young and old, and since that ticked will let you into this museum for free, why not take advantage of that sweet deal? What do you have to lose? Nothing, that’s what. You will spend a little while enjoying yourself, being a child again, or, like me, delving the metaphysical plane (ha, ha). Don’t be a do-do head, just go have some fun.