Garden railroads benefit food banks
By Anna Aughenbaugh
Contributor
The sound of whistling trains and miniature views of western landscapes
will delight young and old on June 25 as they roam from station to station
in the yards of the Northern Colorado Garden Railroaders Club.
Eight members will have their trains up and running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
for the first Garden Railroad Tour. It is requested that visitors donate
nonperishable food items for the Larimer County Food Bank or House of Neighborly
Service in Loveland.
These railroaders love to show off their handiwork and offer these rules
of etiquette for touring the gardens: Do not arrive before 10 a.m. Cameras
are welcome. Observe all pathways and markers. Do not walk on planted areas.
Resist the temptation to touch. Supervised children are welcome. Restrooms
are not available. Do not smoke. Hosts and helpers will be available to
answer questions.
The builders of these garden railroads come from a variety of backgrounds,
but all have the love of model trains in common. Their hobbies call for
lots of creativity and hard work that is never finished, which keep it
interesting. The whole family can be involved in developing the terrain,
building the towns, bridges and trestles. Some have elaborate ponds, waterfalls
and living plants.
"Club members have different perspectives on what they can do and encourage
independent thinking," said Glen Goff. "They are willing to answer questions,
tell how to solve problems and even help in projects. I built two lift-out
bridges so I can care for the lawn."
Forest Erickson started with HO gauge in his basement, then switched to
the more realistic G gauge for his outside layout. "I need to keep busy
and this is a great hobby," he said. "I love the whistles, steam and building
the intricate trestles."
Locations for this year's tour follow:
- Bruce and Nancy Maxwell, 1500 Wagon Tongue Drive. Due to construction
on Overland Trail, take U.S. Highway 287 to LaPorte, turn south on Overland
Trail to Swing Station Way, turn east to Wagon Tongue.
- Forest and Rozella Erickson, 824 Winchester Drive. From Drake Road between
College Avenue and Shields, go south on Worthington, turn west on Winchester.
- Glenn and Barbara Shull, 917 Scenic Drive. Go south on Shields, past
Harmony Road, turn left on Scenic Drive.
- Mark Goldrich, Prue and Kaley, 1212 Clark St. Clark Street is off Lemay
north of Vine.
- Del and Linda Tapparo, 4118 Clayton Court, From Lemay, between Horsetooth
and Harmony, turn east on Ticonderoga and drive a half-mile to Clayton
Court.
- Glen and Mary Goff, 1212 Twin Oak Court. From Harmony Road go south on
Lemay, turn east on Keenland, turn left into Twin Oak Court. Additional
parking available on Keenland or Wheaton.
- Ed and Joanne Frey, 2175 Evergreen Place, Loveland. Travel south on Shields
(Taft in Loveland), west on 29th, south on Empire and west on Evergreen.
- Steve and Janet Andersen, 1039 Lexington Lane, Estes Park. Entering Estes,
turn left onto Highway 36. After 0.4 miles, turn right onto Highway 7,
go south for 0.9 miles to Lexington Lane. Turn right, and stay right for
0.3 miles.
Membership in the Northern Colorado Garden Railroaders is $15 per year
per mailing address, or $11 to receive the newsletter online. Members of
all ages share their knowledge and provide support to those interested
in the hobby. Bruce Maxwell, for example, recalls scenes from 44 years
of driving truck and then builds them into a series of backyard mountains
and canyons. Using an automated system, he can run three or four trains
at the same time.
The club has monthly meetings, swap meets, potluck dinners and tours. The
entire family can share all benefits of membership. Information is available
by calling Ed Frey at 635-2433 or Del Tapparo at 223-3463.
|
