There is a tremendous amount of creativity when it comes to creating miniature worlds, and model train layouts are often some of the most amazing miniatures around. This video shows a engineer’s view of a model train set in the midwest. The video description says:
“The Hennepin Overland Railway Historical Society is located in Minneapolis, MN, and is one of the largest HO layouts in the Twin Cities, MN area. It also has the largest Helix of any model railroad in the United States that we know of. The Helix comprises 1/4 of the entire layout located in a 4,000 sq. ft. warehouse in South Minneapolis, and the entire Main Line equals 11 scale miles of track. If you are interested in visiting this railroad museum check out their web site for directions and hours of operation: http://hennepinoverland.org/ “
Hop aboard a give yourself a ride around the entire track. It’s really quite fun, with lots of long straightaways, switches, tunnels, bridges, and scenery.
Every once in a while, you’ll see the giants – humans watching the model trains. The perspective from the train makes it quite surreal when one sees a huge child towering above a small town.
You’ll also see some guys with remotes in their hands. They are running the trains on the tracks. Stay tuned to watch as one lets another pass his train. It’s one relatively new aspect to model trains: using digital control to “talk” to the train and devices.
Also stay tuned for the spiral helix at the end. It’s a really long, engineered curve that allows the trains to change height in the room.
Are you a model train fan? I currently have both N and O gauge trains (and a monorail) plus a variety of miniature amusement park rides that I set up under the Christmas tree each year. It started with family members giving me train sets, track expanders, and new train cars over a decade ago, and it seems to grow a bit each year.
(If you are about to throw away any old N or O train stuff, let me know…)
