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Welcome to Hunterdon Scenic Rail's Website. The train layout which is shown, provides a preview of our showroom. Information on exhibit hours and cost are contained within the site. To enjoy the complete experience of Hunterdon Scenic Rail, visit our showroom in Lambertville, NJ and watch the trains maneuver about.
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A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF OUR SETUP
The tracks are laid on a three-tiered platform and a yard - also called a "ladder" - which is capable of "drilling", or making up, trains. In reality this is a classification yard.
Taking a quick survey of our layout, the Northern portion - the observation area - comprises a metal truss bridge on the upper level that leads into a scenic area depicting the local Hunterdon County countryside.
Further eastward, you will see a girder bridge on the second level. Be careful, an old troll takes up residence below! In the eastern corner a spacious mountain occupies two levels covered with blue spruce and other evergreen trees (conifers). Homemade portals and planked inner walls cover the entrance.
The southern portion, which can be seen from the northern observation area, features an elaborate Victorian-style passenger station.
Continuing around the course to the western portion there is a homemade wooden trestle that services two levels. The sound of running water can be heard plainly from the observation area - and here is our flowing creek. A subtle transition brings us to cliffs you might see in Arizona or the Southwest, showing how they would have been dug out and shaved to accomodate the trains passing through.
Construction: Like all other lay-outs, we began with a base. Unlike all others, our base consists of steel tables which were left over from a shipping department. We were lucky to have use of these, as it makes a durable and worthy structure. As with all major projects careful planning was an important consideration with our train lay-out. The braces were assembled in the shape of the letter 'h' for the top two tracks. These were assembled all around the lay-out and then boards were secured in order to support the tracks. The corners took special consideration and were fabricated out of "homasote" board. The entire system was then carefully leveled, for obvious reasons.
Each point of interest was planned beforehand. Those being a girder, a suspension, trestle bridges and a mountain to accomodate two tracks. Provisions were made for these by cutting out a portion of the boards, since we were not sure of the size and placement of these bridges. The mountain was constructed on the eastern corner using "plaster sheets".
The final lay-out includes authentic looking buildings with electric lights, and smoking stacks on the train's engine. These final touches lend a true feeling of an historic Hunterdon Scenic Rail.
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Hunterdon Scenic Rail was designed and built by George F. Golia, a Lambertville, NJ local. Mr. Golia would like to share this wonderfully detailed model train scene with train enthusiasts and hobbyist.
The Exhibit is located at 25 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ 08530
Hours of operation are Tuesday - Sunday 12 - 5 pm. By appointment only*
Exhibit fee is $ 10 per adult, $5 children 10 yrs. and under. Group plans are available. Please see the conductor.
DVDs are available for $12
*For appointments contact Mr. George Golia at squarerigg@juno.com
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Thank you for visiting our website. Please come visit our exhibit for the full experience!
To contact Hunterdon Scenic Rail, email Mr. Golia at squarerigg@juno.com |
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