Niles Depot Museum

The Niles Depot Museum occupies a columned passenger station building from 1901 that originally served both the Southern Pacific Railroad and Western Pacific Railroad. The structure functioned as a key hub for travelers and cargo moving through the area.

The Southern Pacific Railroad first opened a station at Niles in 1870, but it quickly became too small for growing traffic. The current building was constructed in 1901 to handle increased passenger and freight demands.

Two detailed model railway layouts inside depict the Southern Pacific mainline running from Niles to San Jose, complete with industrial areas and passenger terminals. These layouts help visitors understand the transportation routes that shaped the region.

The museum is accessible via Niles Boulevard and typically opens on weekends with extended hours to accommodate more visitors. It is wise to check ahead since operating days can vary seasonally or for special events.

The Tri-City Society of Model Engineers operates from within the museum, creating precise miniature replicas of railroad networks as they existed in the 1970s. These model builders actively work to reconstruct historical transportation routes of the region in scaled-down form.

Location: Fremont

Operator: Niles Depot Historical Foundation

GPS coordinates: 37.57750,-121.97842

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00