Trains are not something that ordinarily interest me, beyond successfully getting me from point A to point B. Exceptionally fast, new or beautiful trains are very interesting, but we all know what my hobby is. Not much room for anything else.
Even so, I had a train moment a couple of weeks ago when my Texas friend and I visited Morris Arboretum to see the rose garden. Walking along, we caught sight of something else that was an unexpected delight: the garden railway. She's not a train freak either, but both of us stopped short at the sight of the tiny cars careening around the track. What fun! We took a look.
This is the 10th year the arboretum has put on its Garden Railway Display. I never paid attention before, and that's my loss. This display is really neat. The 2007 theme is "Great American Train Stations," and it'll be open daily till Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Info: 215-247-5777 or www.morrisarboretum.org)
The display, designed by landscape architect and garden railway designer Paul Busse, focuses on famous railroad stops - like Gettysburg, where Lincoln delivered his famous address. There's also a replica of Independence Hall. Everything's handcrafted, and made of natural materials - pinecone seeds for shingles, downspouts made of twigs.
It has a "deep in the woods" kind of feel. Trains and trolleys cross over trestles and bridges (10 of them!) made of bamboo and tree branches. There are seven tunnels made of logs and a giant trestle and waterfall.
The train cars are very cool, representing freight and passenger models and trolley car lines from throughout history. I confess their eras and designs are lost on me. I did see a car that looked like a ladybug - this even I can understand and relate to - which my friend and I found extremely amusing. (I really like it when gardens have a sense of humor. Good going, Morris!)
There are lots of activities coming up that focus on the railway, some rather unusual ... train enthusiast night is June 28 from 6-8 p.m., special circus trains and displays are coming during circus weeks at the garden railway (June 30-July 8 and Aug. 25 to Sept. 3), and on Saturday, July 14, it's an Eagles Train-ing event. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., former Eagle Hugh Douglas will be at the railway giving autographs.
Guess what I'm saying is that even if you're not a train buff, even if, like me, you can't tell one locomotive from another, the Morris' garden railway is a wonderful time. Take the kids. Go yourself.
And hope you see the ladybug!
