The National Model Railroad Association provides a variety of services to the model railroading hobby including:

• Standards that help to ensure that equipment from different vendors, as well as what we build ourselves, can all operate together harmoniously
• Regional and national level meets and conventions that provide educational opportunities through the various "clinics", model contests, model railroad tours, and the opportunity to meet with other modelers
  
• A very useful magazine
  
• Other services of value to the model railroader
  

Museums, historical societies, and excursion train rides provide access to the history and equipment of railroads, as well as the opportunity to travel some of California's scenic railways.  In addition, riding a train might just be the push you need to start that new project or re-start an existing one that has been gathering dust!​​