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Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America

Saturday, May 9 – Sunday, October 25, 2009

Click here for Model Railroad Garden hours.

A family favorite, this enchanting outdoor exhibit takes visitors from coast to coast with model trains, miniature representations of America's best-loved landmarks, and colorful small-scale gardens.

Each year something new appears, and for this 10th anniversary of the Model Railroad Garden, visitors will see a train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line chugging around the White House (that's the train line that transported Abraham Lincoln). Also take note of the vegetable garden and the swingset in front of this year's White House. New this year are Philadelphia landmarks including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Find the "W" sign atop Wrigley Field, and listen for Harry Caray singing "Take me out to the ball game!"

It's a G-Scale World

The 7,500-square-foot Model Railroad Garden features 17 garden-scale (G-scale) trains on 1,600 feet of track. The garden-scale trains are 1/29th the size of life-sized trains. Train and garden enthusiasts, young and old, return year after year for the delightful sights and sounds of the miniature trains traversing high and low through tunnels, across bridges, and around buildings — all intricately handcrafted with natural materials, including twigs, bark, leaves, acorns, and pebbles. More than 5,000 tiny trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and flowering plants of close to 300 varieties re-create the topographical landscape of America. Vignettes of tiny people and animals give the exhibit a storybook feel, while sound effects and a working geyser capture visitors’ imaginations.

Admission

Model Railroad Garden admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12 (Garden members save $1 per ticket). Garden Plus members enter free on Wednesdays throughout the season.

Strollers are not permitted in the exhibit; however, stroller parking is located near the entrance.

Download an Activity Card to bring with you when you visit.

Answers to the Model Railroad Activity Card.

Model Railroad Garden Resources PDF.

See more photos of the Model Railroad Garden.

Enjoy a frightfully good time in the Model Railroad Garden on October 24 and 25.