Garden Railway Tour

A truly unique garden tour slated for this Saturday in South Santa Clara County is one that appeals to gardeners and model train fans.

The 17th annual Garden Railway Tour, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at 10 locations, is a chance to see a variety of outdoor model railroads created by local people in their own backyards. These labors of love are just as much fun to view as they are for the garden railway hobbyists to make.

And, of course, trains will be running on these tracks during the day, to the delight of old and young alike.

What to do here: Do you like model railroading? Do you like gardening? Well, garden railway enthusiasts combine these passions in their backyard creations. Many of these layouts are meticulously created and often handmade. On this year’s tour you’ll see everything from The Big Iron Railroad in Gilroy, which includes 950 feet of track winding its way through multiple tunnels, over rivers and around ponds, to the Pondosa Alamo Western in Morgan Hill, a re-creation in miniature of the McCloud River Line near Lassen National Park, complete with the cinnamon-hued rocks native to that area.

What makes the layouts intriguing are the many details that are included—everything from tiny horses to sawmills to tunnels and trestles—and the outdoor model railways also are enhanced with dwarf plants and “miniscaping” to create a landscape that is in scale to the model railway.

Why we like it: The tour this Saturday is a chance for these hobbyists to show off their railroad layouts as well as an opportunity for the sponsoring group, the South County Railroaders, to gather food and funds for hunger relief.  

“We ask that our visitors bring a donation of nonperishable food when they pick up a guidebook,” said Dale McAnally, who built The Big Iron Railroad with wife Pat, and who is helping to organize the tour. “This food is donated to St. Joseph’s Family Center (in Gilroy) and the Community Pantry (in San Benito County) to feed the hungry in our communities.”

Also acceptable are donations of cash, checks and grocery store gift cards.

And even more to like: Hosts at the tour sites throughout south Santa Clara County and north Monterey County love to show what they’ve accomplished, and are happy to share their knowledge with visitors. Many of the hosts also study railroad history and have created layouts that reflect a certain place and period, such as the Sierra logging and mining camps of the 1800s.

About the South County Railroaders: The South County Railroaders are part of the Bay Area Garden Railway Society (BAGRS), one of the oldest and largest regional garden railway clubs in the nation. The BAGRS encompass all types of garden railroad enthusiasts, from beginners to nationally recognized hobbyists and modelers, and host numerous tours and events throughout the year.

Directions and phone: The Garden Railway Tour includes locations in Gilroy, San Martin, Morgan Hill, Prunedale and Castroville. Pick up a guidebook in exchange for donations of nonperishable food, cash, checks or grocery store gift cards; guidebooks are available at Garden Accents, 111255 Lena Ave., Gilroy (off Highway 101, near Masten exit) or at BookSmart, 80 E. Second Ave., Morgan Hill, near Depot Street. Garden Accents is also offering refreshments to tour-takers.

Well-behaved children are welcome on the tour; parking is limited at some locations. For information about the Garden Railway Tour, call Dale McAnally at 408-848-1440. Details about the Bay Area Garden Railway Society can be found at www.bagrs.org .