Run Fox Run

Continuing our Train Tour through the Tri-State Territory, we took a short trip to NORTHLANDZ (Home of the Great American Railway) Museum which is in Flemmington about 30 min away. This is certainly the largest model train layout I have ever seen. It occupies a two story office building and has to be at least 300 feet long. It isn’t a continuous layout, but rather individual “rooms” which house a huge setup in each. These guys love levels: every train layout was at least 8 feet tall with houses and factories perched precariously on the edges of many cliffs, gorges, and canyons. There were a few valleys which were two stories tall, with train tracks every two vertical feet on the sidewalls. Whoever runs this place is a master at vertical layout.

Leda enjoyed walking around and seeing all the “choo-choos” appearing from and disappearing into the many tunnels. There were also some stupendously constructed suspension/trestle bridges that were wonderful to see, especially when the little trains cross. The place feels incredibly cheesy and a little dated, but the trains are “A” awesome, espcially the floor to ceiling layouts they have with the handcrafted structures.

Also offered outside Northlandz, is a small “full-scale” train ride shown above. Leda was very excited to board this one as you see her jumping ahead of the line and running to get to her spot. She opted for the caboose (with every other kid) and had a ball going through the tunnel and sitting with her Grandpa Larry and Grandma Jane on the return. After the trains, we continued our journey down to Lambertville/New Hope for lunch and general strolling about. Unfortunately, the wind and winter has picked up, so things are getting pretty chilly (esp. out near the Delaware river). We did, however, make it over to the New Hope train station just in time to see #40 pull in. We’re trying to make the most of Leda’s train phase (but in truth, her parents probably are fascinated almost as much as she is). Next stop, Brick Church!