The Southern California Railway Plaza Association (SCRPA) is a fully qualified and recognized publicly supported organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, all donations to the SCRPA are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

SCRPA is a volunteer organization focused on the promotion of educational programs, activities, and venues for people of all ages, dedicated to the preservation of the rail heritage of Southern California.

Southern California Railway Plaza Association traces its history to early 1991, when the future organization’s first president, Bob Root, booked himself onto a Pacific Rail Society fantrip from Los Angeles to Bakersfield, scheduled to be powered by steam locomotive ATSF 3751, then undergoing a wheels-up restoration in San Bernardino.

Bob Root, a longtime rail enthusiast, visited the 3751 restoration site, where he met fellow Fullertonian George Barlow, a volunteer for the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, owners of the engine. On the Bakersfield trip, Root, Barlow, and a few other Fullertonians along for the ride, discussed the possibility of housing the 3751 in a shelter at the former Santa Fe depot in Fullerton.

The men began informal meetings and, by early 1995, the group’s dream had grown to include a larger facility that could capture the valuable part that railroads played in the region’s development. Support expanded for the idea, and a city study for the Fullerton Transportation Center area by Arroyo Group consultants included the rail attraction in its analysis.

In 1996, the founding group took the step to formalize the idea and formed Fullerton Railway Plaza Association, Inc. (FRPA), as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

FRPA then initiated the idea of holding a community event that would showcase rail-related activities as a form of entertainment and thus validate their belief that the concept would be a viable destination attraction.

Birth of Railroad Days
The Fullerton depot’s new parking lot and the installation of two sidings by the city provided the perfect site for what would be FRPA’s inaugural Railroad Days weekend event in May 1999. It was a spectacular success, attracting 15,000 adults and children over the two days.

The annual event grew yearly to a record 40,000-plus visitors at its 10th anniversary in May 2008. The response verified FRPA’s initial belief that a permanent, rail-related attraction at the depot would be well received by the public.
  
Meanwhile, in 2005, the city of Fullerton began preliminary planning to redevelop the area near the depot, and FRPA was encouraged by city fathers to present plans for a permanent destination attraction to be considered for inclusion in the project. FRPA hired attractions consultant Barry Howard -- design concepts creator of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento -- to put the organization’s dreams onto paper. His vision of an active, educational, learning-can-be-fun approach to the facility marked a new perspective to the static display concept of the past. 

From Mr. Howard’s conceptual design study, FRPA developed a prospectus and a business plan for its newly named Southern California Railroad Experience (SCRX) and presented them to the city to be included in the Transportation Center’s planning process. Unfortunately, in December 2008 the proposal was not accepted by the city and FRPA was left to consider other options.

FRPA immediately refocused its efforts on a more regional basis. New vision, mission and goals were adopted; the organization name was changed to Southern California Railway Plaza Association, Inc. (SCRPA) and the process began to secure new locations for both SCRX and Railroad Days. 

SCRPA is actively seeking new members to help us continue the process of bringing the SCRX to fruition.  We welcome your participation and thank you for your interest in SCRPA. 

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The Board of Directors includes people familiar with the Southern California region and pertinent aspects of railroad history, railroad operations, and government interaction. 

SCRPA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SAMPLER

JAMES BREMER
            Owner and CEO of Tall Mouse Arts and Crafts, Inc. (3 locations). 20 years as Teacher, District Administrator, and Principal for FJUHSD. Instrumental in preserving Plummer Auditorium and the Fullerton High School campus. Professor of economics at Chapman College, CSUF and UCI. 12 years as chairman of Education Coalition for California and coalition representative to the state legislature. Educated in Fullerton, a Fullerton Eagle Scout (Troop 92), past master of Demolay and a Fullerton Tribune news carrier.

NORMA GOBLE
            Extensive experience in secondary education and school administration; Master’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development.

FREDERICK H. KINGDON, Ed.D.
            Professional educator with various instructional and administrative positions at the high school, university, graduate, and County levels including CSUF and Chapman University.

MOLLY McCLANAHAN, Trustee, North Orange County Community College District Board
            Former President of NOCCCD Board; community activist; non-profit organizations; former Councilmember and Mayor, City of Fullerton.

CHUCK MUNSON, CPA
            Owner of accounting and tax firm; Chairman of the Board of the Southern California College of Optometry; former President of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce ; community service and non-profit organizations.

JOHN PHELPS, Administrator, the Wilson Phelps Foundation
            Experienced at attracting Disney, convention, and tourist customers to major commercial enterprises; ongoing non-profit foundation management and operations.

WARREN M SCHOLL
            Manager of Locomotive Engineer Training & Rules, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Instrumental in coordinating  BNSF operations for annual Railroad Days