Showing posts with label WESTERN HISTORY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WESTERN HISTORY. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What A Surprise:: Taltree Arboretum and Railway Garden in Valparaiso, IN.

MQTlogoa MODEL RAILWAY GARDEN A MY QUALITY TIME POST

While traveling the back roads of Indiana Linda and I came upon one of those, out-of-the-way destinations Taltree Arboretum. (Actually, we had a little help from Linda’s brother John)

Map picture

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The G (Garden)-scale railway garden opened in June of 2011.

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This is really an impressive display 850 tons of limestone was imported from Missouri and used in the construction of the railway garden.

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Miniature shrubs,trees,and vegetation came from the state of Oregon. (more than 3000 plants)

DSC_0034This train display is just plain fun. The intricate detail shows a real love of railroading.

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At the railway garden you will see prairies, canyons, mountains,waterfalls, cities, and a civil war encampment.

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Everyone loves a circus.

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I would suggest you bring a pair of binoculars if you really want to take the time to study each display.

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“Hartland Locomotive Works specializes in high-quality, affordable G-Scale Locomotives and Rolling Stock: coaches, freight cars and cabooses. We also manufacture brass and aluminum track and other accessories for the Garden Railroader. HLW equipment is designed to run on #1 gauge track and is compatible with other G-Scale trains and track accessories.” Read More  Proudly Made In The U.S.A.

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Railroad Tracks
Two drunks were walking upgrade between the railroad tracks.
One of them said, "This is is longest stairway I have ever been on."
To this, the other replied, "It's not the stairs that bother me, it's the low banister."

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Ghost on the Tracks.. “The train rumbled around him as he adjusted the throttle. The night shift was always the toughest, in the engineer's mind. He had rumbled through Timpas a few minutes ago and was on his way to Thatcher. Not a bad stretch of road, and there was no better train in the entire Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.” Read More

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John Henry: The Steel Driving Man.. Now John Henry was a mighty man, yes sir. He was born a slave in the 1840's but was freed after the war. He went to work as a steel-driver for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, don't ya know. And John Henry was the strongest, the most powerful man working the rails. Read More

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jtf Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed your visit. Take a look at the photos again and see if you can pick out the “real” train photo… Hint “Durango & Silverton narrow gauge line. CLICK & CLICK again

Visit Taltree website CLICK

MQTlogoa MODEL RAILWAY GARDEN A MY QUALITY TIME POST

Helpful Hint: Bring a picnic lunch and plan to spend some time.The only food on the premises is vending & hotdogs

Thursday, June 06, 2013

Colorado Skies from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Sky Watch Friday Train Museum Colorado Skies

MQTlogoa The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad that operates 45 miles of 3 ft track between Durango and Silverton, in the US state of Colorado.

DSC_0003Careful now don’t get a cinder in your eye.

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Views from the Silver Vista Car as we travel through the San Juan National Forest

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All Aboard………..”All aboard! Take a delightful trip to the past. Enjoy a scenic journey behind Durango’s historic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive. Experience the sights and sounds of a romantic bygone era on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad , as it winds through the breathtaking canyons of San Juan National Forest to the old mining town of Silverton, a Historic Landmark.”READ MORE

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Our car host, Melissa, was not only knowledgeable & friendly, but obviously enjoyed her work aboard the train.

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“The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad uses approximately 10,000 gallons of water per round-trip and 12,000 pounds of coal, which is shoveled one shovelful at a time.”

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“Two miles of the Animas River are “Gold Medal” waters, a classification for the highest quality of fishing for large trout. Fly fishing only on this stretch of water.”

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Getting ready to pull into Silverton Colorado..

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DSC_0370 Hope you enjoyed the scenery and skies.. Make sure to check out Sky Watch Friday and the train museum. Now for some famous Silverton food and entertainment.

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Oh, and by the way the train ride back was just as neat.

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MQTlogoa Sky Watch Friday Train Museum Colorado Skies