About Art Bossé and the Museum

Art Bossé was born in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York, and has called Santa Barbara home since 1963. His love for trains began at the age of five when he received his first Lionel train—the "City of Denver"—as a Christmas gift from his parents. That gift sparked a lifelong fascination with trains, especially the iconic Lionel "O" Gauge models from 1915 to 1942.

Decades later, a visit to a train show rekindled that childhood passion. What started as a nostalgic stop turned into a full-blown love affair with collecting. Art, then in his mid-sixties, began curating a remarkable collection of vintage trains, each piece carrying a story and a sense of history. Over the next 25 years, his collection grew into one of the most impressive of its kind.

Rather than keep it private, Art decided to share the magic with others. The result is the Bossé Toy Train Museum—a charming, immersive space that invites visitors of all ages to step back in time. With two operating layouts, ceiling-mounted operating trains, and one-of-a-kind pieces still in their original boxes, the museum brings the golden era of American railroading to life. Guests can even step aboard a full-size replica of an observation car platform or pose next to a custom-built locomotive face modeled after steam-era designs. Every detail in the museum reflects Art's dedication to authenticity and storytelling. From re-created ticket counters and vintage signage to a handcrafted miniature town named after family and friends. The museum is not just a collection—it's a labor of love.

For Art, building this museum has been about more than preserving history. It's about sharing joy. Whether it's a child wide-eyed at a whistling engine, or an adult reminiscing about their first train set, Art's hope is simple: that every visitor leaves with a smile, a memory, and a deeper appreciation for the magic of trains.

"I'm 91, and I'm still playing with trains," Art says with a grin. "That's not bad."