The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: June fourth, training around great gardens.

Model railroading has been a popular hobby almost as long as there have been trains. Small scale Lionel and HO gauge layouts have circled Christmas trees for decades, and expansive model train displays still regularly draw crowds to museums and science centers. Recently, another type of model training has been picking up steam.

Large-scale garden railroads got rolling in Britain a century ago. Using wider-gauged but meticulously detailed model trains and live, appropriately-sized plants, enthusiasts transformed their gardens into elaborate railroad settings. Though briefly popular in the 20's, garden railroads didn't catch on in the US until the late 60's. Combining two popular hobby passions, the movement's spreading. Some 100 garden railroad clubs now maintain active displays across the country.

Though too small to ride, these trains are impressively large. Locomotives measure two feet or more and weigh ten pounds, freight and passenger cars even longer. All landscaping and buildings are scaled to train size. Designed for outdoor use, garden railroads tend to be electric powered, but some are driven by miniature steam engines.

Most garden railroads are privately run, but several dozen are on public display across the US. Fairplex Garden Railroad, operating at Los Angeles County Fairgrounds since 1935, is the oldest and, with over a mile and a half of track, one of the largest. The new Thanksgiving Point layout in Lehi, Utah covers an acre. Some public displays are seasonal, others run year round. All make engaging visits for young and old.

For information call the Large Scale Model Railroad Association at 1-877-547-2253. For a list of public large scale displays 3 www.largescale.org/list.html

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