Father's Day Story Idea -- Garden Railroading

**"Susan McCoy" buzz@impact-pr.com>**

Editor's note:  Garden railroading, the fastest-growing family hobby in
North America, is a great way to get dad back into the garden. For a
visual or to find a garden railroad in your area to visit or photograph,
call Susan McCoy 610-388-9330.

Garden Railroading Gets Father's Day Gift Giving Back on Track

 Philadelphia, PA May 17 -- This Father's Day give dad a gift that will
get him off the couch, back on track and into the garden - with the
whole family as his crew. 

       Combining two of the hottest hobbies -- gardening and model
trains -- garden railroading is the fastest-growing family hobby in
North America, according to the Garden Train Association.
(http://www.gardentrains.org)

      "This is a fun hobby that gets the whole family hooked," says
Randy Kennie, president of the association.  "People love it.  It's
grown-up play time but outside in the fresh air and sunshine."  

      Garden railroads, similar to what Dad played with as a kid, are
large G-scale model trains about 5 inches high and 25 inches long, but
instead of running inside, the trains wind through backyard forests of
dwarf conifers, over little man-made streams or around miniature
mountain ranges.

       The hobby began in Europe decades ago, but it recently caught
fire in this country.  The Garden Trains Association says there are
about 38,000 garden train enthusiasts and some 1,000 garden train clubs
in North America.

All aboard for about $200

       It's easy to get started.  All you need is a space about five
feet square and about 4-feet of track.  For as little as $200, you can
have Dad up and running in a weekend.  

       "Most people get into gardening on a small scale and build over
time. It's more fun when the set develops over the years," notes Kennie.

Come on, baby, do the locomotion

       If you think garden trains aren't something dad would enjoy,
consider that the hobby attracts men in their mid 50's. With an
estimated 50 per cent of the enthusiasts women, garden trains are a
great outdoor activity for dad, mom and the whole family.       

      Current trends point to young families crossing over generations,
with the whole family involved in making decisions. 

Build up a head of steam

      It's best to know a little bit about garden trains before getting
started. There are annual outdoor train shows, conventions and displays
across the country, the biggest being the Garden Railway Convention in
Cincinnati this June 26-30. 
(www.w-v.k12.ky.us/gcgrs/gcgrshome.htm).  For a list of events in your
area, visit www.gardenrailways.com. 

      Visiting the Garden Trains Association web site at
www.gardentrains.org can provide a wealth of getting-started type
information.

       Garden Railway magazine is full of how-tos and sells a 20-minute
video ($12.95) and a 96-page book ($21.95) on basic garden railroading
for beginners. (800) 533-6644 or www.gardenrailways.com.

       This Father's Day Dad is sure to have some real fun creating his
own tiny world - with the whole family pitching in.  

Other Whistle Stops

June 8 through Oct. 27 -- Chicago Botanic Garden - (847) 835-5440 or
www.chicagobotanic.org

 July 25-28 -- West Coast Regional Meet, California - (650)341-4088 or
pdoochie@aol.com

Sept. 7-29 -- Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pa - (610) 388-1000 or
www.longwoodgardens.org

 Through June 30. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens garden railway, Palm
Desert, CA Call 760-346-5694 or www.livingdesert.org/trains.html.

 Sept. 13-29 -- Fairplex Garden Railroad, LA County Fair, Pomona, CA.
Contact: 909-623-3111 or info@fairplex.com

Ongoing -- Chesapeake, Allegheny & Blue Ridge Train Runners modular
display. Northgate Plaza Shopping CenterAspen Hill, MD. 202-726-3333 or
http://www.trainrunners.org/.

June 2 -- Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society's Annual
Large-Scale Train Sale. Holiday Inn, Liverpool, NY.
http://home.twcny.rr.com/cnylsrs.

June 15-16 -- Garden Railroad at the Rose Festival, Whetstone Park, 3923
N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214..  Call 614-885-0351 or
http://www.cgrs.org

 Sept. 8 -- Columbus Garden Railway Society Garden Tour Call
614-885-0351 or http://www.cgrs.org/. 

Sept. 27-29 -- Inniswood Metro Parks "Affair-of-the-Hort" Westerville
OH. Call 614-885-0351 http://www.cgrs.org/.

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