Wilson Park has soccer fields, baseball diamonds, a farmers market and plenty of familiar recreation.

It also has a working miniature railroad.

Tucked into the park is Southern California Live Steamers, a nonprofit organization whose members build, maintain and operate miniature locomotives capable of carrying real passengers.

And on designated public run days, visitors can climb aboard.

The organization traditionally offers public rides on the first Sunday and third Saturday of the month, creating one of the more unusual family experiences available in Torrance.

These are not electric kiddie rides sitting outside a shopping center. The attraction grew from the live-steam hobby, where enthusiasts construct remarkably detailed operating locomotives and railroad equipment.

The nonprofit has been providing free public rides at Wilson Park for almost 40 years, according to the City.

The railroad is located in the Wilson Park area at 2290 Washington Avenue.

Because public operating schedules can change, families should check the current calendar before making a special trip.

For anyone who has walked through Wilson Park without realizing trains were running nearby, this may be one of the most wonderfully unexpected Hidden Gems we have featured.

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