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Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

San Diego Electric Railway Association

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San Diego Electric Railway Association

The offical page of the San Diego Electric Railway Association (SDERA) and the National City Depot Turn left one block later onto West 23rd St.

San Diego Electric Railway Assn., Inc is a 501.c.3 Non-profit Corporation
DBA: San Diego Electric Railway (SDERy)
and The National City Depot

National City Depot is at 922 West 23rd St, National City, CA 91950

The Depot is located at the corner of Bay Marina Drive and Marina Way in National City. Take Interstate 5 about 10 miles south of downtown San Diego, exit at Bay Marina Drive and g

o west 1 block and turn right on Cleveland Ave. The Depot is straight in at the end of the street. The Depot is open Saturdays and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm and by appointment.

05/10/2026

You may notice construction activity in front of the National City Depot as work continues on the City of National City’s Bayshore Bikeway expansion project.

The good news! The museum is still OPEN, and parking remains available for visitors.

We’re excited to continue welcoming guests while these projects take shape around the Depot. Stop by, explore the exhibits, and check out San Diego’s railway history up close.

05/02/2026

We’re making progress on restoring our historic Birney streetcar.

With fresh paint and ongoing bodywork, this project is reviving a key piece of the San Diego Electric Railway Association’s collection, thanks to our dedicated volunteers.

But the next phase is even bigger.

Car 54 and Car 138 are up next. Both are major restoration projects that will require significant structural repairs, specialized craftsmanship, and funding to be preserved for future generations.

We’re seeking:
• Donations to keep projects moving
• Corporate sponsors to support hands-on preservation
• Community partners who want to be part of this effort

Your support helps bring these historic streetcars back to life.

Donate here: www.sdera.org/donate

If you’re interested in sponsoring a project or contributing, we’d love to connect.

Help us preserve San Diego’s railway history for future generations.

Photo credit: Jim P.

04/13/2026

The San Diego Electric Railway Association is seeking passionate volunteers to help us expand our impact and preserve transit history at the historic National City Depot.

We’re currently seeking:
• Grant Writers
• Fundraising Coordinators

This is a great opportunity for anyone with experience in nonprofit development, grant research, donor outreach, or fundraising strategy who wants to make a real difference in the community.

What you’ll do:
• Identify and apply for grants that support restoration, education, and preservation
• Help develop fundraising campaigns and donor outreach strategies
• Support ongoing efforts to expand exhibits, restore historic railcars, and enhance visitor experiences

Why volunteer with us:
• Be part of preserving Southern California’s rail history
• Contribute to meaningful, visible projects
• Build or expand your nonprofit development experience

If you’re interested or know someone who might be a great fit, send us a message or visit us at www.sdera.org for more information.

Help us keep history moving.

04/09/2026

Join us for our next SDERA Meeting!

📍 Where: National City Depot
📅 When: Saturday, April 25 at 4:00 PM

At this meeting, we’re excited to welcome historian and archaeologist Douglas W. Mengers, who will present “San Diego Trolleys.” The presentation will explore the city’s transit history, starting from the first horse-drawn trolleys in 1886 and covering the rise and decline of the San Diego Electric Railway.

🚉 Depot tours will be offered before and after the meeting.
☕ Light refreshments will be served.

This event is open to the public. Come and explore the legacy of San Diego’s railroads with us!

03/23/2026

Pardon Our Dust. Improvements Underway at the Depot!

If you’re planning a visit to the National City Depot over the next few weeks, you may notice a few changes.

We’re currently completing interior work to improve the museum, which will temporarily impact parts of our interior exhibit space, including the model train layout.

While some areas will be closed to visitors, the depot and exterior exhibits remain open, and there’s still plenty to see and explore.

These updates are part of a larger effort to continue improving the museum and preparing for future projects.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing what’s ahead. Our model train layout will be back up and running soon!

Want to help with the ongoing improvement projects at the depot? Visit our website at www.sdera.org to learn about the different ways you can help.

03/20/2026

Discover San Diego’s Rail History at the National City Depot

Did you know one of San Diego County’s hidden gems is right here in National City?

The National City Depot is home to the San Diego Electric Railway Association’s museum, where history comes to life through historic streetcars, interactive displays, and the stories that shaped our region's growth.

Step inside and explore:
🛤️ Historic streetcars and railway artifacts
📖 Exhibits highlighting San Diego’s railroad past
🚂 A large model train layout that brings rail operations to life
🏛️ A restored depot that dates back over a century

Whether you’re a local resident, a history lover, or bringing the family out for something unique, the museum offers a hands-on look at San Diego’s transportation story—at both full scale and miniature.

Come visit, learn something new, and experience a piece of living history.

Follow us for updates, events, and more from inside the depot.

08/16/2025

🚂 All Aboard for a Swap Meet at the Depot!

Join us at the National City Depot for a Summer Swap Meet!
📅 Saturday, August 16, 2025
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 922 W. 23rd St, National City, CA 91950

✨ FREE Admission! ✨
Browse, buy, sell, and trade treasures with fellow railfans, collectors, and community members!

👥 Interested in Selling?
• SDERA Members: Sell for FREE
• Non-Members: Just $5
• Setup begins at 6:30 am

(Sellers must bring their own tables and chairs)

06/23/2025

🚂 Join us for our next SDERA Quarterly Membership Meeting!

📍 Where: National City Depot
📅 When: Friday, June 28 at 4:00 PM

This quarter, we’re excited to welcome Jim P. for a special presentation:
“The Railroad Stations of San Diego County, Then and Now” – a journey through local rail history you won’t want to miss!

🗳️ We’ll also be holding elections for Board of Directors positions. (Voting is open to current SDERA members.)

🚉 Depot tours will be offered before and after the meeting.
☕ Light refreshments will be served.

This event is open to the public — come explore the legacy of San Diego’s railroads with us!

06/15/2025

Stop by today and visit us at day 2 of Campo Days!

06/14/2025

Stop by and visit us June 14 and 15 at Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association, Inc. for Campo Days.

Address

922 W 23rd Street
National City, CA
91950

Opening Hours

Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16194744400

Website

http://www.sdera.org/

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