Off the Beaten Path is your weekly source for the most interesting things to do and places to go in the DC, MD, and VA area. From festivals to pillow fights, Off the Beaten Path provides a weekly list of worthwhile adventures. Published every Sunday by MetroMontage.com.
Welcome to Issue #16 of Off the Beaten Path. This weeks issue includes a selection of Model Train Gardens. Feel free to share this issue with family, friends, or co-workers by using the “Share/Save” button at the bottom of this page.
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One of the many highlights of the U.S. Botanic Garden’s annual holiday exhibit are the various Washington landmarks made with plant material. These “plantmarks” as well as other featured world landmarks from the continents of Africa, Asia, and South America line the model train garden railway.
When: through January 2, 2011
Where: U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
Website: www.usbg.gov/education/events/Seasons-Greenings.cfm
Cost: Free
The Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company has continued the tradition started by the Dundalk Fire Station of setting up an annual Christmas Garden display for over 30 years. The Christmas Garden is filled with ceramic buildings, trains, railways, animated scenes, and even a minature roller coaster. It is one of the most popular Christmas displays and one of the most popular model train displays in the Baltimore metro area. In addition, it is one of the largest temporary model train displays in the country sitting 20 feet wide by 44 feet long.
The Christmas Garden is built each year by the committee of Fire Company Members and community volunteers.
When: through January 9, 2011
Times: Weekday Hours- 6pm – 9 pm; Sat and Sun Hours – 12 pm – 9pm
Closed Christmas Day
Where: 214 Wise Avenue Dundalk Md 21222 Station #27
Website: http://www.wavfc.com/fullstory.php?119194
Cost: $1.00
The very popular B & O Railroad Museum – Holiday Festival of Trains is back for another year. Various model trains will be on display through January 2, 2011.
Model Railroad Exhibitors whose creations will be on display throughout the festival:
* November 26-28: Washington DC Metropolitan Area LEGO Train Club
* November 26 – January 2: M.T.H. Electric Trains featuring an O-scale layout
* December 2-5: Baltimore Area American Flyer Club featuring an S-scale model
* December 4 & 5: Japan Rail Modelers of Washington, DC featuring N-scale model
* December 11 & 12: The Western Maryland Historical Society “HO” Scale Modular Group featuring a HO-scale layout.
* December 11 & 12: The Harford Modular Group featuring an HO-scale model layout
* December 15- January 2: Baltimore Area NTRAK Club featuring an N-scale model
* December 26 – January 2: National Capital Trackers featuring an O-scale model
When: through January 2, 2011
Where: 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21223
Website: www.borail.org/festival-of-trains-2010.shtml
Cost: $8 – $14 (museum admission)
The Union Station Norwegian Model Train Display has become a holiday tradition at the Union Station. The Norwegian Model Train Display can be seen in the main hall of Union Station. The display reflects scenes from the country of Norway. Mountains and fjords are prominent in addition to farms, a ski jump, and a fishing village.
In addition to the train display, a 30-foot tree sits in the main hall of Union Station. The tree was a gift from the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the people of Norway.
When: through January 3, 2011
Where: 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC
Website: www.unionstationdc.com/
Cost: Free
Off the Beaten Path is published every Sunday by MetroMontage.com, a photography site that features the most intriguing events, people, and places in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area, and on rare occasions other metro areas. Presented by freelance photographer Anthony Washington. Want to know more about MetroMontage.com? Visit www.metromontage.com/about.
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