As previously mentioned, White’s Nursery is our preferred venue for hosting train shows. Each participant has their own designated space, allowing everyone to pursue their individual creative vision.
When the Engineer and I first joined the Tidewater Big Train Operators, we were committed to keeping it simple by designing layouts where all components (trains, scenery, background, etc.) could fit in our car. However, we failed at that and almost had to upgrade to a full-sized pickup truck pulling a dual-axle trailer. This season at White’s, we returned to our roots with a six by six foot table, a five-foot outer loop, and a 32″ inner loop. The table was provided by the nursery, so it all fit handily in the back of our car.
Our very first time setting up at White’s Nursery (November 2015) we did a large campground diorama. Thinking back on it now it was a bit crude, but it was our start in doing train shows and we were happy with it. A couple of years after that we picked up several 1:24 scale model camping trailers – and they have been sitting with our train show “stuff” ever since, never used. We always planned to incorporate them into a new display, perhaps with a scenic backdrop featuring a tranquil lake and some miniature hikers enjoying the great outdoors.
Once we started doing the micro-layouts, it was pretty obvious that a camping scene would fit in perfectly. (The backdrop and lake went by the wayside though.) We thought about all the little details that would make it come to life – tiny tents, miniature campfires, and even little hiking trails. As we worked on it, we realized just how much fun it was adding in all these elements and bringing the scene to life. The Lego people seemed to have their own little adventures as we placed them around the layout. Despite the small scale, the sense of adventure and outdoor exploration was palpable. The 32″ circle of ballasted track with its construction foam base provided a sturdy foundation for our camping scene, and we’ve had so much enjoyment using it. The possibilities for our tiny camping scene seem endless, and the best part is that it all fits neatly in our car, ready to bring joy and wonder wherever we go.
A locomotive that has long been on our wish list was the LGB trains model of a 0-4-4-T Forney. They were only made sporadically between 1992 and 2006, they never seemed to be super popular and I never saw one available at a price we wanted to pay. Until recently when the estate of one of our long time club members was sold, so now we finally have a Forney.
Dismal Creek Railroad 