The North Carolina Garden Railway Society (NCGRS) is the Triangle's Garden Railroad club. We do not limit our hobby to the Garden though. The size of the trains generally means that they appear outside in the backyard. For additional information not listed below you can call Mark & Beth Haskell @ (919) 383-0360 or James Madill @ (919) 382-2973.
Mark and Beth Haskell have a layout in their backyard. It is the Delay and Hesitation Railroad.
J.D. Long has a wonderful layout in his backyard.
In February of 1994, the NCGRS was invited to setup their layout at the Raleigh Home, Garden, and Flower show, an annual event held in the Raleigh Civic Center. Visitor turnout was so good that many people had to wade through people lined up four and five deep to see the layout. (The show coordinator himself har a difficult time seeing the layout!) We have been invoted to come back next year, this time we will be setting up in the main area with a bigger and better layout.
In 2000, we returned to the Home, Garden, & Flower Show, this time on the main floor, sharing the space with a landscape contractor. This layout looked more like a garden railroad because we were able to incorporate it more into a landscape setting, with plenty of live plants, in a wood mulch base.
Garden railroading is the fastest growing portion of model railroading. Garden Railroading is actually two hobbies in one. The first one is the model railroading portion. The second hobby is gardening. The gardening aspect of model railroading has brought other family members into model railroading. Many of the miniature plants used in garden railroading are herbs, so there is always a fresh source for herbs for use in cooking as well.
Here is a little history on the model railroading hobby.
Many of the modelers who grew up with Lionel sets are rediscovering model railroading. Getting on in years, they are opting for larger scales instead of the smaller scales. They find it easier to work on models without having to use tweezers and magnifiying glasses.
When the NCGRS and other clubs open their layouts to the public, we hear "I have an X scale train set at home, but I don't have the time or space to set it up". Our response is that perhaps they are working in the wrong scale. A large scale layout in the backyard can be left up year round and provides the modeler(s) hours of enjoyment outside instead of being cooped up in a basement or attic.
Some people are taken aback when they initially find out the price of some of the trains. $400-$600 for a locomotive may seem expensive, especially when you compare it to what one of those HO starter kits you can buy at toy stores. Justification for the expense comes threefold: Many of those starter kits are sold before the hollidays. Immediately afterward, the new owners are looking for better quality locomotives. The better HO scale locomotives can easily cost $75, many for more. The $400 large scale locomotives come with sound systems, an additional cost in the smaller scales. All of a sudden, the cost differential is not so much. Another, important point: Most garden railroaders are not interested in building their own railroading empire. Fewer trains are needed to provide the necessary pleasure that they are looking for. Many people just like to turn the trains on and watch them go around for hours. It is very relaxing.
Q: What happens when it rains?
A: They get wet. :-) Large scale trains are designed to be left outdoors in all weather. Some people bring in their buildings and cars for winter storage, but that is not necessary. Moisture wreaks havok with electronics, so locomotives with sound units or other structures with electronics are usually brought in to extend their life. Many of the more elaborate layouts have tunnels to park locomotives, or even have track running indoors! This makes it even easier than having to carry them into the house.
Click More info on Model Railroading in the Triangle
Last Updated: Monday, June 5, 2000