Plan Your Visit

The model railroad opens during Cruisin’ the Pines, the Roamin’ Angels Car Club show at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The show fills the grounds with classic cars and trucks, motorcycles, vintage trailers, and classic boats.

Visiting the Layout

Find us in the railroad building inside the fairgrounds. We are open 9 AM to 4 PM, matching the car show hours.

Our volunteers run the trains and answer questions about the layout, the history of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad, and how to join the club.

We ask a $1 suggested donation per person to help keep the lights on, and kids under 12 visit free with an adult. This is separate from the car show gate below, and we never turn anyone away.

Admission and Parking

The car show and the fairgrounds handle admission and parking. Here is what they list for this year:

• General admission: $5.00 per person
• Kids under 12: free with a paying adult
• Active and reserve military with ID: free
• Parking: $10 per vehicle, paid at the fairgrounds gate and separate from admission

Gate 1 offers permit and disabled parking, and Gate 4 offers general and disabled parking. Both are $10 per vehicle without in-and-out privileges. Lots off fairgrounds property are privately owned and operated.

Dogs on a leash are welcome under fairgrounds rules. Please keep them clear of the cars and clean up after them.

About the Show

The Roamin’ Angels Car Club runs Cruisin’ the Pines at the fairgrounds. The show and the fairgrounds set gate hours, so check before you come.

• Show info: roaminangels.com
• Fairgrounds listing: nevadacountyfair.com

The model railroad runs throughout the Nevada County Fair, August 12 to 16, 2026, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Our volunteers operate trains across the On3 scale layout and answer questions about the history of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Visiting the Layout

Find us in the railroad building inside the fairgrounds. We plan to open from noon to 5 PM each day, with possible extended hours depending on staffing and visitor traffic. You need a fair ticket to enter the fairgrounds and reach our display.

About the Fair

The Nevada County Fair fills the fairgrounds with livestock exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, and food. The Nevada County Fairgrounds runs the event and sells tickets through its official site.

• Fair info and tickets: nevadacountyfair.com

Check the Nevada County Fair for gate hours, daily schedules, and parking.

The model railroad opens to visitors during the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, run by the California Bluegrass Association at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, June 18 to 21, 2026.

Open House Hours

Saturday, June 20: 12:00 to 8:00 PM (confirmed)
Friday, June 19: hours to be announced

Stop by the railroad building between sets to watch the On3 scale layout run. Hours may change with festival activity, so check back before you visit.

About the Festival

The California Bluegrass Association runs a four-day festival with more than 30 bands, camping, workshops, and youth programs. The festival is a separate, ticketed event, so you need a festival ticket to enter the fairgrounds and reach our display.

• Festival info: californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/fathers-day-festival
• Tickets and passes: Buy festival tickets

For the official schedule, lineup, ticketing, and camping details, see the California Bluegrass Association.

The model railroad opens to visitors during the Spring Strawberry Music Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, May 21 to 24, 2026. We opened during the festival this year, and we return for the 2026 Memorial Day weekend run.

Open House Hours

Our open hours run inside the festival and can shift with the music schedule, so check back for confirmed times before you visit. Look for the railroad building inside the fairgrounds.

About the Festival

Strawberry Music, Inc. has run this Memorial Day weekend festival since 1982, with multiple stages, camping, workshops, and family programs across four days. The festival is a separate, ticketed event, so you need a festival ticket to enter the fairgrounds and reach our display.

• Festival info: strawberrymusic.com/festival-info/spring-festival
• Tickets and camping: Buy festival tickets

For the official lineup, schedule, ticketing, and camping details, see Strawberry Music, Inc.