Model RailRoad

This is our Christmas Village . this year its 250 sq ft. with over 100 structures & over 300 figures + 5 army men & 3 pirates. Thanks for watching
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Duncan’s Train Village

Image by jdpage

Duncan’s Train Village

Image by jdpage

Duncan’s Train Village

Image by jdpage

Duncan’s Train Village

Image by jdpage

Duncan’s Train Village

Image by jdpage

Duncan’s Train Village

Image by jdpage

CG688 Quaint Village

Image by listentoreason
Visit to Northlandz in January of 2010. An astonishingly large HO model railroad layout, recommended for train enthusiasts. It occupies a building the size of a large 3-story warehouse.

Pros:
+ Quirky – some of the scenes are pretty amusing
+ Detailed – lots of fine work. You can spend a long time in one place, just looking at the subtleties
+ Huge – Very extensive dioramas
+ No that does not quite do it, how about "Gargantuan?"
+ No, still not right. I think this: "You’re lying. It cant be that big." – No, it is. Jaw-dropping. That link shows only part of one of maybe a dozen rooms. Plan on 90 minutes if you jog through, three hours if you take your time and enjoy it.
+ Organ music – The builder and owner, Bruce Zaccagnino, is a skilled organist and plays for visitors (I think every day) in a little theater in the middle of the building.

Cons:
– Dust – Lots of it. I’m sure it’s a nightmare to clean, but it needs it. At HO scale, it’s up to the inhabitants’ ankles.
– Disrepair – Plaster landscape cracking in places. Little figures fallen over. Not too often, but enough to jar you from your reverie.
– Few trains! – When we visited most rooms were largely silent; I guess it made the trains more exciting when they did come through, but they did so rarely, and often only a handful of cars.
– Somewhat inflexible – you have one shot at moving through, then you need to buy another ticket if you want to revisit a scene. Not a big deal… except there’s only one bathroom inside at the halfway point. Remember, it’s HUGE. Know your kids’ tolerances if you go.

All in all if you like railroads (or have kids that do) you should probably see it at least once.

A miniature Christmas Village and train tracks by the arch bridge. Miniature Electric Train Exhibits at the Nixon Presidential Library

Image by DominusVobiscum
A miniature Christmas Village on raised train tracks by the arch bridge. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library yearly Christmas season miniature electric train exhibit of Antique and LEGO miniature trains, villages. Displays include videos, memorabilia – Two rooms of running trains in villages, mountains and cities. 1) The Atrium Southern California LEGO Train Club exhibit. 2) The special exhibit room of Lionel and other collector electric trains, in action and on display. Some Wind-up Robots and toys are also included.

Epic Christmas Village display features Lionel o scale Polar Express Train, Department 56 Original Snow Village, Christmas in the City and Dickens Village buildings and animated accessories. This Village has been updated significantly for Epic Christmas Village II www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 5 / 5