Donate to SDERA

San Diego Electric Railway Association, Inc. is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with current tax codes. We depend solely upon the generosity of donors like you for our financial support. Please give generously to make our restoration and maintenance efforts possible! Our Tax Exempt ID is: 33-0202834.

We accept donations for specific projects as well! If your heart is in PCC restoration, Birney cars, Lionel trains, or classic train depots, you can specify that your donation be restricted to that project or others! Recent restricted donations helped us to replace all of the tracks on the 3-Rail layout. Others went towards painting the Vienna Cars and delivery of car 1002. We continue to need this support to improve our exhibits and slow the effects of time on our historic items.

For cash donations, contact our Treasurer at or mail a check to SDERA, 922 W. 23nd St National City, CA 91950.

PayPal Donations

You can donate using your credit card on-line now. Click on the Donate button below to get this started. You don't need a PayPal account to use this feature. Near the bottom of the PayPal page, look for the "Donate with a Debit or Credit Card" button. You can use any major credit card!

Venmo Donations

You can donate by clicking here to Donate from Venmo Account online. Scan the QR Code to pay from your phone or use your login to set the amount pay from your account. Easy!

Model Trains

Our 3-Rail Layout group would love to get donations of good condition O-Scale trains and accessories. They will evaluate if the donation is usable for display on our layout or if it should be sold to help fund our operations. Recent donations have funded our new controls and electronics! (Thanks!!)

Contact the Depot at 619-474-4400 for questions about model train donations.

Donate Your Vehicle

SDERA has partnered with a national vehicle donation agency to make donating your car, truck, van, SUV, boat, motorcycle, ATV, RV, trailer, or airplane even easier! Simply visit http://www.careasy.org/nonprofit/san-diego-electric-railway-association and their trained staff will guide you through the donating process. The vehicle will be picked up by a local, licensed tow company at no cost to you. You will be provided a Donation Receipt by the tow driver at the time of pickup.

Within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, you will receive a thank you letter which you may use as a tax receipt. If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, we will mail you an additional receipt known as "IRS Form 1098-C". Your Donation will help us with the operation and maintenance of the museum, plus help with our many restoration and preservation projects. For additional information, call 855-500-RIDE (855-500-7433).

Bequests / Memorials

We ask that you name us in your Wills and or Trusts as a beneficiary for real estate, stocks, bonds, or bank accounts. These can be in the form of the above, or immediate donations. There are great tax advantages for you in doing these things. Our Corporate Attorney, Sam Judd, is set up for just these type things. Your own attorney or advisor can work with you on. Your help in these areas is one of the things that will keep our organization sound on into the future. Contact our President at for additional information.


Contact Us

  922 W. 23rd St. | National City, CA 91950
  619-474-4400
  mailbox@sdera.org
  webmaster@sdera.org

Museum Hours

Normal Business Hours:
  Saturday / Sunday from 10am to 4pm

Tours and Special Events by Appointment.