Calif. Photo 1 Established in 1935 as a permanent exhibit at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, the Fairplex Garden Railway has undergone renovations through the years, and in 1997 was converted to the modern G-gauge standards. The exhibit depicts various eras of California history from its beginning in the mid 1800s through the years.
Scenes tell the story of the discovery of gold and the development of farming and industry.
Laced through these scenes is the role the railroads played in their development. Children are invited to participate in the operation of the railroad and mini exhibits within the layout to learn the history of the area. Multiple trains operate at the same time in a half-inch scale over 8,000 feet of track on nearly an acre of land accented by forests, rivers, lakes and desert. This is the oldest public operating garden railroad in the United States. It is open every second Sunday of the month.