CALLING ALL LIVE STEAMERS – JOIN US AT THE GOATHILL JUNCTION RAILROAD IN APRIL
The OCME Spring Meet is a Private Event Open to Live Steamers,
invited guests, and club members ONLY.
NO PUBLIC RIDES WILL BE GIVEN.
*Pricing, Food, and Events are Subject to change
WELCOME LIVE STEAMERS!
Hello Live Steam Enthusiasts,
As we gear up for another exciting season, we are thrilled to invite all Live Steamers to Goathill Junction Railroad for our Spring Meet at Orange County Model Engineers! This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow large-scale model train enthusiasts, share knowledge, and enjoy a weekend dedicated to everything railroading.
This year is extra special, as 2025 marks our 40th Anniversary! Join us as we celebrate four decades of steam, camaraderie, and the joy of running trains at OCME.
Event Details:
📅 Dates: April 25th, 26th, 27th, 2025
🚂 7.5-inch gauge layout
📍 Location: Orange County Model Engineers, Fairview Park, Costa Mesa, CA
Spring Meet Highlights:
🚆 Live Steam Showcases – Bring your steam, gasoline hydraulic, electric locomotives, or even person-powered equipment to showcase and run on our nearly 5 miles of track!
🌅 Day and Night Running – Enjoy breathtaking sunsets and the magic of nighttime railroading at Goathill Junction.
🏕️ Limited Overnight Camping – We’ll have a small number of camping spots available. Details on sign-ups will be released soon.
🍽️ Great Food & Fellowship – Stay tuned for details on our Saturday Night Dinner and meal services throughout the weekend!
More information, including RSVP details for camping and meals, will be shared soon. For now, mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate 40 years of OCME with us!
For any inquiries, please contact us at OCME@ocmetrains.org
We can’t wait to see you in April for a weekend full of steam-powered excitement!
Spring Meet Committee
Orange County Model Engineers
OCME MEET SIGN-UP FORM:
By Signing up below, you’ll receive information about our Spring and Fall Meets. You will also get updates as the meets get closer! Sign up today!
SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER
Join us for a Saturday Night Dinner under the Stars and lights of the OCME Compound. It’s great food, with great people to share it with.
Your $25 per person dinner comes with ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT tacos, quesadillas, chips, salsa, guacomole and more. And we’re serious when we say ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT. You’ll also get water or soda and a dessert (either cookies or cake).
Dinner consists of Asada, Chicken, Pastor, Rice and Beans, Quesadillas, Guacamole, Chips, Pico de gallo, Red salsa, Green salsa, Onion, Cilantro, Limes.
You must RSVP for this dinner prior to arriving at the club for the Spring Meet.
CLICK ABOVE FOR THE SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER RSVP FORM OR CLICK HERE
CAMPING
A limited number of camping spots has been approved by the City of Costa Mesa for our event.
- Maximum of 6 RVs
- Maximum of 25 Tents
REMINDER: There will be no RV hookups or outdoor cooking (OCME has meals available for purchase. See the flyer for details).
Camping will be allowed from Friday through Sunday. All campers must depart by Sunday at the close of the meet.
CLICK THE FORM ABOVE, OR CLICK HERE FOR CAMPING RESERVATIONS
SPRING MEET CHAIRMAN + COMMITTEE
Your Spring Meet Chairman is Steve Collier
Steve is supported on the Spring Meet Committee by Josh Guesman (President), Mike August (VP Facilities), Matt Rexroad (VP Operations), Zach Jones (Secretary), Wilmer Alkhas, Jordon Rivera, Rich Barrientos, and Adam Dupre
You can email with any questions at OCME@OCMETrains.Org
40TH ANNIVERSARY APPAREL
Below, you can find a link to our Bonfire store, where you can purchase OCME 40th Anniversary Apparel. This is a print-on-demand service. Order in the first batch by APRIL 2ND, and you have a great chance of getting your shirts before the meet. Apparel ships directly to your front door.
You can also order at the meet, and all your shirts will be shipped directly to you once that batch order has been completed. Volunteers on-site will help you with that order if you need help.
Available in multiple colors, short-sleeve, long-sleeve, hoodie, and youth designs. We appreciate your support of the club.
All proceeds go to OCME!
DIRECTIONS
ORANGE COUNTY MODEL ENGINEERS
2480 PLACENTIA AVENUE
COSTA MESA, CA 92626
The entrance to the club is located directly across the street from Estancia High School.
Signs will indicate the club entrance and the dirt road will lead you either toward the station or the compound. Take the road on the right for the entrance to the compound, the unloading area, and the steaming bays.
Parking will be restricted inside the fenced area. Signs will mark the unloading areas.
MEET SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2025
LAYOUT INFORMATION
SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE
Please read the rulebook, a copy of which is available at the club. The following rules are emphasized for your enjoyment of the scheduled events.
- Direction for MOTIVE POWER out of the station:
- FRIDAY – SOUTHBOUND
- SATURDAY – NORTHBOUND
- SUNDAY – SOUTHBOUND
- All trains must be run at a SAFE SPEED and under full control at all times. Don’t let the wide-open space hypnotize you. KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN!!
- This is an open park – kids and animals can be anywhere.
- All trains must carry a RED FLAG and must PROTECT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN when stopped.
- Mackerel Flats & Goathill Junction Station is for LOADING and UNLOADING ONLY.
- Engines needing SERVICING do so in YARD AREAS ONLY (Steaming bays, Skinner Yard, Platfoot Yard). City water is also available throughout the layout. Look for the blue railroad ties.
- Dump ashes only in designated ash pits or in the Steaming Bays.
- Engineers and crew are responsible for proper switch alignment. Switches should always be left aligned for the designated run direction of the day.
- Trains must approach the double cross-over at the station at SLOW SPEED. Yield to trains coming out of the station.
- USE CAUTION going down Higgins Loop (northbound – running – see map) as you approach the bridge – 2-WAY TRAFFIC is possible for a short distance.
- NIGHT-TIME operation requires a headlight and a red tail light. A flashlight is recommended.
- NO WHISTLES or HORNS after Sunset.
- Maintain a minimum safe running distance between trains of 200 feet.
- NO SMOKING on trains – locomotive exhaust excepted.
- City Park and Club rules (Gen. Rule G) prohibit possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Dogs must be leashed (C.M.C.C Sec. 12-42).
- A Current boiler check/certificate is required to run at O.C.M.E. If you need one, we will arrange to check your boiler.
- OCME’s Layout is built and maintained to IBLS standards. ALL ROLLING STOCK (CARS AND ENGINES) MUST MEET THESE STANDARDS TO RUN AT THE MEET. Equipment not meeting IBLS standards will not be authorized to run. Please check the gauge on your wheels before running on the layout.
- MAIN GATE LOCKED AT 10:00 PM – See board member for special arrangements.
- OCME will monitor the fire danger on the layout. In windy conditions, some restrictions may be placed on solid-fuel steam engines, but every effort will be made to keep those to a minimum.
- Steamers, please do not use the track immediately adjacent to the station – the ties will burn. Track 2 is authorized for live steam loading, unloading, and water-fill activities.
RADIO INFORMATION
Handheld radios are REQUIRED during the meet. We broadcast on CHANNEL 9, SUBCHANNEL 25. Please ask a member for assistance if you have any questions.
WHISTLES
For the benefit of all, please use the correct train whistles and hand signals when operating trains at OCME. These signals have meaning and are professionally appropriate for our train operations.
NOTE: Noise Curfew at 7:30 pm takes precedence over advised whistle signal usage
WHISTLES
- One short: Stop or stopping; apply the brakes
- One long: Approaching railroad station or junction (if moving), or apply air brakes and equalize pressure (if standing)
- Two longs, one short, one long: Warning when approaching a trestle or a blind curve or any other warning is needed. This is appropriate, especially on Higgins and Metassa Loops.]
- One Long – Three Short: When an unscheduled stop is necessary, such as a track crew is working and signals the engineer to stop
- Two short: A general answer to a signal or acknowledgment of a signal; identical to the “roger” or “10-4” radio terms
- Two long: Train is about to proceed forward; release the brakes
- Two long, One short, or Two short, One long: The train is approaching a meeting or waiting point
- Two long, One short, One long: The train is approaching a grade crossing (i.e., a road crossing) or bridge. This is a widely used safety signal used to warn motorists and is blown at every grade-level crossing, except where local noise ordinances prohibit it. Known in railroad rulebooks as rule ’14L’
- Three short: The train is about to proceed in reverse (if standing), or the train is about to stop at the next station (if moving)
- Four short: The engineer is calling for signals
- Multiple short: Danger, get off the tracks! Used to warn pedestrians or livestock who are on the tracks in front of the approaching train.
ACCESS AND SERVICE AT ORANGE COUNTY MODEL ENGINEERS
- An air-powered automotive-style lift is available for unloading and loading with a capacity of 2,000 pounds. Please support each end of the lift (a jack is available) when unloading large locomotives. Please roll your locomotive and cars off the lift expeditiously onto the turntable to allow others to load and unload. Gas-mechanical, Gas-hydraulic, and electric locomotives may be moved immediately off the turntable and into the Skinner yard. Steamers passing the wheel check can move onto the transfer table.
- There are 21 open steaming bays accessed by a 20′ transfer table. The braced bays are for very large, heavy, narrow-gauge locomotives. Please PUSH; Don’t pull the transfer table. Remember – SAFETY FIRST! The steaming bay area features:
- Boiler water on most bays – Culligan treated to remove hardness and particulates.
- Two air connections are available on alternate bays.
- Electric outlets are along the fence.
- Lighting
- Trash cans are at each bay – please use them.
- A two-bay, two-level recessed work area that allows you to work underneath your locomotive. Please use it and save your back.
- Water and soda in the clubhouse – Honor system payment.
- The porta-potties and hand-washing sink are behind the storage containers. Flush-type restrooms are in the station.
- Shop for minor emergency repairs. Ask any member for assistance.
- An Ash Pit is immediately outside of the steaming bays in Skinner Yard. Two ash pits are also adjacent to Goathill Station, at the Mehren water tower, and another in Platfoot Yard.
- Treated Water for steam locomotives is also available in Platfoot Yard (in three recessed boxes). City Water is available at the Station (four recessed boxes), the Mehren tower, and at Sweetwater siding on the Mountain Division.
- Locomotives should be blocked from rolling when on the steaming bays.
- Moving locomotives onto the main: Line up the turntable with the transfer table. Note the color coding of the turntable and align it so that your locomotive will face the intended direction. Place safety chains over the ends, then roll; do not drive the locomotive onto the turntable. PUSH, do not pull the turntable. Watch your toes. Safety First! Please do not use the lift for moving locomotives onto Skinner’s yard.
- Blowdowns: In Skinner Yard or on the turntable, please. Avoid burns!
- FRS Radio: Use Channel 9; Subchannel 25.
- Club-owned cars may be utilized during the meet. Please return them when finished.
- Gravel parking areas near the station will hold about 40 cars. Please do not park at the loading area in order to keep it clear for trailers.
- Operations: See the following pages.
OCME GOATHILL LOCAL GUIDE
FUEL
- CHEVRON – 2160 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- SHELL – 2249 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- SINCLAIR – 2502 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- MOBIL – 3006 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- ARCO – 2490 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
PROPANE
- SINCLAIR – 2502 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- U-HAUL MOVING AND STORAGE – 2680 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa
Hardware & AUTOMOTIVE
- THE HOME DEPOT – 2300 Harbor Blvd, Unit F, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS – 3029 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- CROWN ACE HARDWARE – 9045 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
- LOWES – 2500 Park Ave, Tustin, CA 92782
- AUTOZONE – 3105 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- NAPA AUTO PARTS – 2120 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- O’REILLY AUTO PARTS – 1739 Superior Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Fast Food RESTAURANTS
- MOST FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS CAN BE FOUND ON OR JUST OFF HARBOR BLVD
- Carls Jr, Mendocino Farms, Firehouse Subs, Subway, Sonic, Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco, McDonald’s Raising Canes, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, Chipotle, Panda Express, and many more.
Sit-down (service) restaurants
- NEWPORT RIB COMPANY – 2196 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- NORMS – 2150 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- NORTHGATE MARKET – 2300 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- SUSHI AMARI – 2340 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- 2145 – 2145 Placentia Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- AVILA’S EL RANCHITO – 2101 Placentia Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Drug Stores
- RITE AID – 2300 Harbor Blvd, Unit G, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- CVS PHARMACY – 2701 Harbor Blvd, Bldg B, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- CVS PHARMACY (TARGET) 3030 Harbor Blvd, Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
GROCERY Stores | EVERYTHING STORES
- VONS – 2701 B Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- NORTHGATE MARKET – 2300 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- TARGET – 3030 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- SPROUTS – 3030 Harbor Blvd, Unit D, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- SMART & FINAL – 707 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- STATER BROS – 2180 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- WALMART SUPERCENTER – 16555 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92606
ABOUT OCME
The Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) is a non-profit scale model railroad organization formed in 1985 and is dedicated to the hobby and education of others in larger scale model railroading in 1.5” scale. Our track gauge is 7 ½”. OCME, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has maintained a strong working relationship with the City of Costa Mesa since 1988, interacting with public, commercial, private, and other service-oriented organizations on a routine basis by providing tours and free rides on the third full weekend of each month at Fairview Park on the Goathill Junction and Mackerel Flats Railroad.
There are over 20,000 feet of track on 40 acres of land where the co-habitation of wildlife, trains, and the public uniquely converge in an undeveloped landscape surrounded by the urbanization of Costa Mesa. Visitors and riders on the railroad (approximately 40,000 annually) can see numerous species of plants, grasses, birds, and other wildlife that can only be seen at Fairview Park. This is due, in part, to the wildlife habitat that was built on the western side of Fairview Park.
The more than 200 members of OCME have 35 engines of various sizes powered by several means, such as foot pedals, steam, gas-driven hydraulics, and electric (battery and solar-powered). There are approximately 300 cars (rolling stock), of which some are scale models of real train cars or bench seating cars used when pulling guests and maintenance cars that are used to haul track ballast and a myriad of equipment needed to work on the railroad. This equipment and other tools necessary to maintain and operate the railroad are stored securely onsite within a 20,000-square-foot maintenance facility. Financing for the OCME activities at Fairview Park is made available through membership dues and private and corporate donations. To maintain and operate these facilities and trains, the OCME membership works (donates) over 9,000 hours annually so that others might enjoy the railroading experience at Fairview Park.
OCME offers public rides on the third full weekend of the month and provides rides for — or has in the past — special events such as birthday parties, Spring and Fall train meets, Pumpkin Run, Lyons Club, Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Kiwanis, California Fire Museum, Costa Mesa Fire and Police departments, Newport Beach Police, American Cancer Society, Raise Foundation, other train organizations including those of other scale railroads (e.g., HO, O, S and G scales), and others. Additionally, OCME actively participates and supports Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout programs, Girl Scouts of America, Kristie’s, Orangewood, and other charitable and civic organizations to make their ‘special events’ a more enjoyable experience for their supporters and clients.
OCME has enjoyed supporting the Costa Mesa, California, community for the past 40 years and looks forward to continued community involvement for many years to come.