From Wednesday, Aug. 15 through Sunday Aug. 19, Railroad Club members hosted visitors from the National Garden Railroad Club. The club is a worldwide organization aimed at promoting garden railroading around the globe. The annual convention was headquartered at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles and had over one thousand visitors touring various Garden Scale layouts in the area.
While the convention lasted five days, our very own Sun City Railroad Club was featured on the first day of the event, with two busloads of people stopping by to see our layouts with many more arriving by car. Camera clicks competed with train whistles and horns as hundreds of visitors from as far as England and New Zealand and as near as St. Charles and Elgin strolled the grounds and basement to view the club’s layouts. While their chief interest was Garden Scale trains and equipment, the club opened their club house to allow the visitors to view the indoor layouts as well.
Many of those visiting were amazed at the size and scope of the layouts as well as the creativity of the scenery and attention to detail. Of special note by many of the enthusiasts was the use of tree bark to hide the pylons that control the track elevations on the outdoor layout.
Area residents are reminded that the club’s Fall open house will be on Sunday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. All the layouts will be open for viewing and picture taking, so bring along cameras and the grandkids for some terrific memories. Finally, the club announced a special evening event on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. (rain date is October 11). Special lighted passenger trains will be snaking their way on the garden scale layout providing some great picture-taking opportunities, especially from the upstairs deck. This will be the final outdoor event of the season. The traditional holiday display will begin in Prairie Lodge on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.
Layouts are in the backyard and basement of the Millgrove Woodshop. All Sun City residents, family, friends, model railroaders, and garden enthusiasts from across the area are cordially invited to our events. Admission is free but we ask that children be accompanied by adults. Guests may call 847-669-2392 or log on to the Sun City website at sccah.com to get updates.
