Bringing California's Railroad History to Life

Erwin Welsch Research Library

photo: Charlie Comstock

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Research for Rail-fans

The museum library has an extensive reference collection of books, magazines and photographs related to both prototype and model railroading. It also has a sizeable collection of railroad timetables and railroad promotional brochures dating from 1893. Collection areas focus on San Diego and Southern California, but the library also has books and magazines on railroads throughout the country. The collection is fully described in its web-based online catalog. To view our online catalog click on the button above. We are a reference library and the materials do not circulate. However, staff volunteers will assist you in finding materials and if you can’t come in, will do some research for you as time permits. For this research, there might be a slight charge for scanning or copying documents. The library also has an extensive collection of railroad videos which are available for checkout to museum members. We offer reference service on site as well as through email to : library@sdmrm.org

The Library is staffed by volunteers, John Fiscella, Jim McClain, Aaron Morris, Michael McIntyre, Dale Wagner, Mark Weaver and Jim Helt (Librarian). The days the library is open depends upon the volunteers availability, so check the schedule posted below. Special events at the museum may also cause changes in schedule. Reference help may also be arranged by emailing: library@sdmrm.com or jf36helt@att.net. Library Hours Generally 11:00 AM to 3:30 on weekdays and 11:00 AM to 4:30 on Saturdays.

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The Library is staffed by volunteers and occasionally schedules will change without notice, although we try our best to keep to the published schedule. If you need help at a different time, arrangements can be made in advance, please call the library at 619-696-0199 and leave a message or contact the Librarian at jf36helt@att.net for help.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS, L to R: Sandy Helt, Mike McIntyre, Aaron Morris, Jim Helt, Dale Wagner, Jim McClain, John Fiscella, Carol Welsch. Mark Weaver is not shown.

Founding Librarian

Erwin Welsch

Erwin’s fascination with trains started when he was a boy growing up in Philadelphia, playing in the north Broad Street switching yards, and later falling in love with the Pennsy GG1 engine. He started modeling when he was about 8 and reached the ultimate about 50 years later when one of his models was chosen as model of the month by Model Railroader March, 1996. His working years were spent as a librarian first at Indiana University Library and the last 30 at the University of Wisconsin Memorial Library. His doctorate was in modern European history and his professional life followed that subject area. But he kept his love of trains and belonged to model railroad clubs in Madison, Wisconsin and built a 100 square foot HO layout in his basement which was a delight for his grandchildren. After he retired he moved to California and no more basements. He found he could continue his love of trains at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum when the La Mesa Club accepted him as a member in 1996. While prowling around the museum he found some books and periodicals in a closet and realized there was potential for a railroad library in the museum. He started in the closet, donations and encouragement kept him going and soon he needed more space and the library moved to the adjoining building. With the help of a generous grant from the state, the library was able to move back and into its present location. He developed the online catalog which continues to be a reference tool for railroaders everywhere. He believed that education was a key component for any library and with that vision Erwin played a role in the national accreditation of the museum. Health forced him to slow and eventually step down as librarian in 2003, but he continued to visit the library, and loved using the online catalog from home frequently.