“Landmarks of America” Model Railroad Garden

One of the first gardens that we visited yesterday at the Chicago Botanic Garden was the Model Railroad Garden.  This garden was built just eleven years ago as a one year feature.  However, it was so popular that the garden is now open every May-October. 

There are 17 garden scale (G-scale) trains that run through the 7500 square foot exhibit area.  G-scale means that the model trains are 1/29th the size of life size trains.

There are almost 50 miniature American Landmark displays to view as you follow the path through the garden.  This little journey was especially meaningful for me since I have visited almost all of the scenes that were depicted.  The trail leads you across the United States from ocean to ocean.  (this is Lombard Street in San Francisco)

We were lucky, and arrived just as Mt. St. Helens was about to erupt.  I’m afraid the noisy eruption scared the youngest members of our group, but they got over it soon enough.

I would have liked to have gotten pictures of all the miniature scenes, but there was not time for that with the girls having shorter attention spans.   

The seventeen trains that run on 1600 feet of track are everywhere throughout the garden… above, below, and at eye level.

There are 5000 plants of 300 varieties throughout the displays so you feel like you are in the part of the country that is being depicted.  Each of the miniatures is also made of natural materials.

I think the girls especially liked the circus tent depiction.  There are small placards along the way with suggestions for children, of all ages, to find certain things in particular miniatures.  There is so much detail in each of the scenes that it’s easy to overlook things.  It amazed me how even the trees were in proper scale.  I could spend several hours in this railroad garden, and I just may on my next visit.

Since this is the Chicago Botanical Garden, both professional baseball parks were depicted.  Being a Cubs fan, I chose to show Wrigley Field.  I just wish Ernie Banks was up to bat! 

Many of you might know that I really don’t care for trains, but have always been fascinated by model train setups.  This is the best one I’ve ever seen, and the natural beauty of the plants just adds to the experience.  I think SAM would be in 7th heaven at this garden.

The other place that I was drawn to in this short visit was the water lily gardens.  I can’t wait to return and see all the other wonders.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy