Wonderland Express Features Replica of President Obama’s Hyde Park Home Holiday Exhibition Features Trains, Chicago Landmarks

for immediate release

Features Replica of President Obama’s Hyde Park Home

Holiday Exhibition Features Trains, Chicago Landmarks

November 27, 2009 – January 3, 2010

GLENCOE, Ill. (November 2, 2009) — Wonderland Express chugs into the Chicago Botanic Garden this holiday season and transforms the 385-acre oasis into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, garden-scale trains, miniature Chicago landmarks, exquisite horticulture displays and indoor snowfall. This popular holiday exhibition runs from Nov. 27, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010 and features new landmarks and fun outdoor winter activities including ice skating on the Esplanade and snowshoeing in McDonald Woods.

Held in the Regenstein Center, Wonderland Express features garden-scale trains winding their way over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls and detailed landscapes with more than 80 miniature versions of Chicago’s favorite landmarks. New this year is the Union Stockyards’ Old Stone Gate, President Barack Obama’s Hyde Park home and Michelle Obama’s childhood home. Interpretive signs sprinkled throughout the exhibition give fun facts about Chicago's history and architecture. Realistic snow falls throughout the exhibition.

Model Railroad at Chicago Botanic Garden 08

 Made from all-natural materials, the Old Stone Gate is crafted out of walnut shells, poppy seeds and beech bark, and is topped off with magnolia leaves, pine cone scales, and leaves from a burning bush. The Gate’s iconic cow head, situated in the center of the Gate, is made from gourd seeds, peppercorns and sycamore leaf stems. The front of the Obama’s Hyde Park home is layered with white pine bark and catalpa beans, which gives the illusion of a brick facade. Miniature flower pots made out of burr oak caps and acorns rest upon the front steps that are fashioned out of palm stems and sea grape leaves. The home’s front porch is constructed out of Chinese honeysuckle, eucalyptus leaves, okra seeds, and magnolia and lotus pod stems. The bricks in Michelle Obama’s childhood home are actually pine tree bark and the dormers are crafted out of redbud seed pods.

Returning this year are visitor favorites including Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Millennium Park and the Shedd Aquarium.

The experience starts outdoors, where the Garden grounds have been transformed into a grand winter wonderland of trees and shrubs, dramatically-lit with over 750,000 energy-efficient LED lights. This year, the Garden is reusing approximately fifty-percent of the outdoor LED lights from last year which cuts down on cost and refuse. The esplanade features a 40-foot tree, lit with multi-colored lights, surrounded by large lit spheres that appear to be ornaments fallen from the tree.

Indoors, the Regenstein Center is a magical wonderland of trains, plants and architecture. The Greenhouses are specially lit, including the palm tree trunks in the South Greenhouse, and decorated with beautiful holiday plants. Gracing the walls of the Greenhouse Galleries are wreaths designed by area florists, shops and the Garden's own talented horticulturists. Decking the Joutras Gallery are holiday trees decorated by local designers and a gingerbread train depot. The Bridge Gallery features behind-the-scenes photographs of the exhibition designers, Paul Busse and Applied Imagination, Alexandria, Ky., creating the landmarks in their workshop.

Model Railroad at Chicago Botanic Garden 07

The Krehbiel Gallery features an English country train platform with an old-world feel, including more trains and landmarks found on Chicago's North Shore. A slide show chronicling the construction of the exhibition is shown in the Alsdorf Auditorium for those who don't want to end the journey just yet. Visitors can enjoy a light lunch, snack or dinner at the Caboose Café in Burnstein Hall or in the Garden Café. The Garden Shop features an array of extraordinary gifts, including a book on Wonderland Express, amidst the exquisite holiday décor during exhibition hours. 

Christmas Message 2009, Thomas (Edward), the Queen's Speech

You may be one of those people who likes to listen to the Queen's Speech on Christmas Day. Gathering around the telly at 3 o'clock, waiting for the wonderous words of wisdom that only our gracious monarch can bring. If you are one of these people, I can only say...why bother? Edward does the speech much better!

Written, Performed and Edited by Alaric 

Brief History Of American Model Trains (S scale)

A Brief History Of American Model Trains

Author: David Blackburn

In order to tell the history of American Model Trains, it is necessary to tell the history of the S scale. This is the scale that is sold by the company today. They have staked their reputation on being able to create model trains in a sector, which is all but forgotten by too large a section of the model train industry. Getting to know this niche market may cause you to want to invest in an S scale model train today.

The S scale is about half way in between O and HO scale. It is characterized by a 1:64 ratio. The model is fairly large as far as model trains are concerned. Because of its size, it is fairly durable. It can handle being mistreated by those who not know much about model trains like children and beginners. The larger size allows the production companies to add more detail to the trains in order to boost the amount of realism as the train powers around the track.

The history of American Model Trains starts in Britain where the S scale first got its start. When it was created before the turn of the century, it was known as the H-1 scale in order to represent its size as half that of the #1 scale. The name was changed in 1937 when CD Models started marketing the track that would be suitable for use in the 1:64 scales. The last change in the name came when the American Flyer brand started selling steam-powered locomotives.

American Flyer Trains got its start as a toy model train company, which was bought by AC Gilbert in 1937. When the company first started selling the trains, they ran on a 3-gauge rail. In 1942, the company started producing a 2-gauge track that is pretty close to what is being used by the same scale trains today. The American Flyer Train business failed in 1967, but the Lionel Company bought the name in order to sell the same scale and using the tracks that the company designed. Lionel still sells the American Flyer brand in their catalogs and online.

The majority of American Model Trains which are produced today are made to look and feel just like the old American Flyer trains. This will bring back a lot of memories for those who remember the trains chugging around the track on Christmas morning. Even if you do not remember, the trains offer a great classical looking train you can enjoy as it powers down the track.

The train you buy today will undoubtedly have a lot of history attached to it. Seldom are the trains going to have such an American heritage as the American Model Trains do. No matter if you buy the train for the history or for the realism, you are sure to enjoy the way it looks as it rolls down the tracks. Make sure you buy the train, which will allow you to have the most fun. Having fun is the name of the game in this and any hobby.

About the Author:

David Blackburn has had a passion for Model Trains for over 20 years. His enthusiasm and knowledge on the subject of model trains can be found in his writing and his new book. For more great information on American model trains visit his site at: http://www.modeltrainsadvice.com. While you are there make sure you sign up for his FREE "Secrets To Successful Model Railroading" Mini Course.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - A Brief History Of American Model Trains

Washington State History Museum model trains in the spotlight Dec. 26 to Jan. 2

Museum puts model trains in the spotlight

By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com

Photos courtesy of Washington

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ALL ABOARD. Kitsap Live Steamers display trains made by its members.

Model train enthusiasts will put their hobby in the spotlight in Washington State History Museum during the 14th annual Model Train Festival, taking place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2.

Every floor of the museum will be buzzing with trains during the event. It features nine miniature railroad towns dressed with holiday decorations and depictions of everyday life. A play space will be set up for the smallest train fans to enjoy.

Layouts will be set up by the following clubs: 4D PNR HO Modular Group; 4D NTRAK Group; Cannonball Express; Kitsap Live Steamers, Mount Rainier N-Scale; Pierce County Lionel Club; Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers and Tacoma Northwestern Model Railroad Club. Washington State Operation Lifesaver will provide safety information at its booth and Steven Goldenbogen will be on hand with a Playmobil display.

Kitsap Live Steamers, based in Port Orchard, will have 14 pieces, some gas operated engines, others steam powered. Club member Don Deffley said the exhibit helps attract new members to the group.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Admission to the museum is required.

Published on December 23, 2009



William Burkholder's collection of Lionel, MTH, American Flyer, Williams trains & accessories will be sold at auction January 2, 2010.

(press release)

Chambersburg, PA – “I never thought I’d sell them” said Willliam Burkholder of his train collection, “but my sons and grandsons just aren’t interested.” Due to health considerations, Burkholder and his wife are relocating to Florida. Faced with the decision of what to do with his massive train collection, Burkholder decided auction was the answer. His collection will be sold at Gateway Gallery Auction in Chambersburg on January 2, 2010.

Over the last 10 years, Burkholder spent 400+ hours perfecting his 8’x21’ layout. With shelf after shelf of Lionel, American Flyer, MTH and Williams model trains as a backdrop, Burkholder and his “brakeman” Bandit (one the family Shitzus) operated the 3 train sets that zigzagged across the meticulously maintained landscape.

The Burkholder collection includes pre & post war, engines, dummies, tenders, passenger cars, transformers, cabooses and working accessories such as Mel’s Diner, Ford sales, Sinclair gas, a car wash, oil derricks and more. The collection, in working condition, has been cataloged for auction with a total of 440 lots + accessories.

Burkholder’s love affair with model trains began in his childhood and has only grown through-out the years. Will he miss them? Matter-of-fact as always Burkholder notes “Who knows? Once we move, I may decide to start again.”

The cataloged public auction of Burkholder’s trains will be January 2 at 10 AM at Gateway Gallery Auction located at 643 Kriner Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Preview for this auction will be Friday, January 1 from 2 PM – 5 PM. Complete photos and catalog listing available online at www.GatewayAuction.com or by calling 717-263-6512. Video of Burkholder’s running layout can be viewed on YouTube.