This Massive California Model Train Shop Has Been Keeping Railroad Enthusiasts Happy Since 1975

A Santa Fe locomotive rides across the sign out front, and a train mural decorates the building. That’s a pretty clear clue about what waits inside.

One of the founders was a retired Great Northern Railroad employee. He opened the shop with his son, and the family love of trains became a business.

The store now teams up with a sister shop next door. Together they cover about 7,000 square feet of trains, tracks, and tiny buildings in Southern California.

I have to admit, that number made me blink twice. It’s reportedly the largest model train store in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

There’s a working layout, a repair bench, and shelves of supplies most shops gave up on long ago.

A Railroad Family Started The Whole Thing

Real railroad experience sits at the heart of this story. Arnie’s Model Trains opened in 1975, founded by Jerry Arnold and his son Greg, better known as Arnie.

Jerry had retired from the Great Northern Railroad. That’s a pretty great resume for someone selling miniature locomotives.

The first shop sat on Westminster Boulevard in just 800 square feet. It grew twice, reaching 2,400 square feet before the family needed something bigger.

In 1985, the business moved to the corner of Edwards Street and Westminster Avenue. Then, in 1997, it opened the current showroom on Industry Way.

Jerry passed away shortly after that final move. Greg kept the trains rolling, carrying the family business forward into a new era.

I love that this place grew one step at a time. It didn’t start huge, and it didn’t chase flashy trends.

Instead, it expanded because people kept showing up for trains. Three locations in over two decades tells you the demand was steady and real.

That slow, steady growth feels very railroad-like. Keep your speed, stay on track, and eventually you reach the big station.

You Can Spot This Building Before You Park

Industrial business parks rarely win beauty contests. Still, one storefront on Industry Way stands out thanks to a very clear hint.

A sign featuring a Santa Fe engine sits out front. A mural of trains adds even more railroad flavor to the building.

You’ll find the shop at 6452 Industry Way, Westminster, CA 92683. The location sits near the 405 freeway and Bolsa Avenue, which makes it easy to reach from much of Orange County.

That Santa Fe detail is a fun choice. The Santa Fe railway is a big part of California rail history, and its classic look still pops.

Getting there is simple enough for a weekend errand. Just plan around traffic, because Southern California freeways love surprises.

Here’s a practical tip for first-timers. Bring a list of what you need, like your scale, your era, and your favorite railroad.

That small bit of planning saves time once you’re inside. Trust me, the shelves will try very hard to distract you.

Plus, snapping a photo with the train mural is free fun. Every train fan deserves at least one goofy picture.

Two Shops Team Up Into One Giant Train Playground

Seven thousand square feet of trains is a lot of trains. That’s the combined size of Arnie’s Model Trains and its sister store, Milepost 38 Toy Trains, right next door.

Together, they form what the business calls a Model Trains Super Center. It’s described as the largest model train store in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Each shop has its own job. Arnie’s focuses mainly on HO and N scale, the smaller sizes that fit nicely into homes and garages.

Milepost 38 handles the bigger stuff. Think O scale, G scale, and Thomas trains for younger engineers.

This split is genuinely handy. If your kid loves Thomas but you love HO, both of you can shop in one trip.

The Arnie’s side alone covers a 3,600-square-foot showroom. That’s plenty of room for browsing without bumping elbows every few steps.

So which scale is right for you? HO gives more detail, while N lets you fit long trains into small spaces.

Staff can help you sort that out. Choosing a scale is the first big decision, so it’s worth asking questions.

Watch The Layout Run And Try Not To Grin

Model trains look nice in a box. They look way better when they’re actually moving.

The shop features a large operating model railroad layout. It’s a great way to see how different pieces work together on real track.

For beginners, this matters more than you’d think. Seeing scenery, buildings, and trains together helps you picture your own setup at home.

The store also lets customers test run models. That’s a big deal when you’re about to buy a locomotive.

Online shopping can’t offer that kind of peace of mind. Here, you can see how an engine moves before it ever leaves the shop.

Kids usually love this part too. A running train gets attention fast, even from folks who swear they’re just tagging along.

Take your time watching the details. Notice how the buildings are arranged, how the track curves, and how the scenery hides seams.

Those little ideas can inspire your own layout. Borrowing a clever trick from a good layout isn’t cheating, it’s homework.

Honestly, it’s some of the best free entertainment in Westminster. Just try not to make choo-choo noises.

Shelves Packed With Locomotives, Cars, And Tiny Towns

Locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, scenery, and detail parts all share space here. The inventory covers many brands, so shoppers have plenty of choices.

The interior is large, clean, and air-conditioned. Products are neatly organized, which makes browsing much less overwhelming.

That organization is a gift on a hot California afternoon. Cool air plus tidy shelves equals a very pleasant treasure hunt.

N scale fans get attention here, not just HO collectors. Some shelves even hold rare finds, along with new and used models.

Used items can be a smart path into the hobby. Just check condition closely and ask questions before you buy.

Brand names like Athearn, Kato, and Bachmann show up in the mix. That range helps whether you’re fussy about detail or just want something fun. My advice? Decide your railroad era before you shop.

A 1950s steam theme and a modern diesel theme need very different cars. Mixing them can look like a time machine went wrong.

Having that plan keeps your collection looking believable. It also keeps your wallet from wandering off down the wrong track.

Builders Will Find Supplies Most Shops Dropped Long Ago

Scratch-building is where model railroading gets seriously creative. Instead of buying a ready-made kit, you build structures from raw materials.

Arnie’s Model Trains stands out for this crowd. It’s described as the only hobby store in south Los Angeles or Orange counties with a full scratch-building selection.

The lineup includes Evergreen and Plastruct plastics. You’ll also find Midwest stripwood and K&S metal products.

Tools, paints, glues, and hardware round things out. That means you can grab nearly everything for a project in one stop.

Why does this matter? Many local shops stopped carrying these supplies years ago.

For builders, that left lots of waiting on shipping. Being able to hold a strip of wood and check its size is a real advantage.

New to scratch-building? Start small with a simple shed or loading platform.

Basic styrene sheets and a sharp hobby knife can take you surprisingly far. Mistakes happen, but plastic is cheap compared with frustration.

Before long, you’ll look at real buildings differently. Every fence and rooftop becomes a possible project, which is either inspiring or slightly dangerous.

Your Cranky Locomotive Has A Doctor Here

Every model railroader eventually meets a stubborn locomotive. It stutters, stalls, or just sits there looking expensive.

That’s where the in-house repair bench helps. The shop offers DCC repair and installation, with an expert technician on site.

DCC stands for Digital Command Control. It lets you run several trains independently on the same track, with sounds and lights too.

Installing it can be tricky for beginners. Tiny wires and delicate parts aren’t everyone’s idea of relaxing.

Kevin Honda’s story fits nicely here. He started as a part-time employee in 2008, became the repair and DCC technician, and now manages the store.

That kind of growth says a lot about a workplace. Knowledge gets built and kept in-house instead of walking out the door.

Bring your locomotive along with notes about the problem. Mention when it started and what changed, like new track or a fresh decoder.

Those details help a technician diagnose faster. It’s a lot like explaining symptoms to a doctor, just with fewer waiting room magazines.

A good repair can save an engine you love. That beats retiring it to a shelf forever.

New Engineers Get A Friendly First Ticket

Getting started in model trains can feel confusing. Scales, track types, and power systems all sound like a foreign language at first.

Starter sets make the first step much easier. The shop carries them in both N and HO scales.

Each set typically includes track, a power pack, and a train. Open the box, connect a few pieces, and you’re running.

That simple setup is perfect for holiday gifts or rainy weekends. It also lets families test the hobby before buying a whole layout.

Here’s a smart approach for parents. Let your child help pick the train, because ownership makes the hobby more exciting.

Then start with a basic oval on a table or floor. You can always add switches, buildings, and scenery later.

The staff’s experience comes in handy here. Ask about which scale fits your space and your kid’s age.

Small fingers may find bigger trains easier to handle. That’s another reason the sister shop next door can be useful.

Nobody becomes an expert overnight. Every impressive basement railroad began with one little loop of track.

Open Houses And Kit Builds Turn Shopping Into A Party

Model railroading is better with friends. The shop understands that and regularly hosts community events.

Annual open houses bring the hobby together under one roof. Industry manufacturers often appear, and local Southern California clubs bring displays.

Kids get their own spotlight at Kid’s Kit Car Build events. Young builders get hands-on time with real kits, which beats another hour on a screen.

Some model railroad clubs also hold monthly meetings at the store. That turns the shop into a true gathering spot for California hobbyists.

Joining a club is a great next step after a starter set. Members share tips, help with wiring, and sometimes let newcomers run trains on bigger layouts.

The store promises old-fashioned, honest, courteous service. Matt Haynes became a co-owner in 2009, helping carry that spirit forward.

Arnie’s Model Trains is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Sunday hours worth checking before a visit.

After roughly fifty years, Arnie’s Model Trains is still a busy station for the hobby. Not bad for a shop that started in 800 square feet.