Welcome to the Southern California Chapter of the European Train Enthusiasts

European Train Enthusiasts is the premier North American organization focusing on European railroading. Founded in 1973, ETE serves modelers, railway fans, related organizations and the community through public events, working model displays, media presentations, and the publication of our quarterly journal, ETE Express.


Our Southern California chapter offers train fans an opportunity to enjoy a more European perspective. Members come from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Our monthly meetings are a great chance to get to find others with similar interests. Our Module Special Interest Group (SIG) uses a modular building technique to create a portable piece of Europe for members to show their model trains.

Our module Special Interest Group (SIG) is getting ready to build some new modules. If you would like to be a part of this effort - either building your own or helping others in their module - please contact Cindy Gaw - - as soon as possible.

ETE SoCal continues its practice of monthly meetings at individual member’s homes. These meetings are intended to accomplish two things: one to give the hosting member a chance to demonstrate his/her layout to other members and afford attending members a chance to see other layouts, pick up tips and ideas and in general socialize with all. Monthly meetings are always accompanied by a BBQ (weather in Southern California is very predictable and no contingency planning is required) , ‘Beer and Brats’ as the phrase goes, permit members without a layout of their own to bring their favorite loco and run it on the host’s layout. Contact Don Gaw - - for details on getting to locations and for membership.

2013 Meeting Schedule

January 5 & 6 - Great Train Expo, Anaheim (SIG Event)
January 26 - Don and Cindy Gaw, Mission Viejo
February 8 & 9 - World's Greatest Hobby, Del Mar (SIG Event)
February 23 - Peter Florack, Oceanside
March 16 or 23 - Jim Mastrogany, Encinitas
April 27 - Jorge Rottenbacher, Arcadia
May 18 - Wil van Oldenmark, Vista
June 22 - Erwin Gremmer, Trabuco Canyon
July 20 & 21 EuroWest, San Carlos (SIG Event)
August 24 - Eric D'Ablaing, Dana Point
September 28 - Juha Ponkala, San Diego
October 26 - John Caley, Mission Viejo
November - No Meeting
December - Great Train Expo - Del Mar (SIG Event)

Meeting dates are subject to change. Watch Facebook for last minute updates!

 Page last updated on 03/02/2013 04:57 PM