Model Trains a Bit Too Small?

The check out Train Mountain Railroad Museum!

Yes, that's right, the world's largest model railroad is in beautiful southwestern Oregon near the town of Chiloquin, in the shadow of Crater Lake National Park. Recently Oregon Public Broadcasting did a story on the very interesting complex as part of Oregon Field Guide. From the TMRM website:

Train Mountain Railroad Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our railroad heritage. It is located in Southern Oregon on over 2000 acres of Ponderosa Pine forest in Klamath County, the home of Crater Lake National Park. Train Mountain currently has 69,900 feet (131/4 miles) of 71/2" gauge mainline track and 133,250 feet (251/4 miles) of total trackage, which includes yards, sidings, and connector tracks. In the 2004 Guinness World RecordsTM Train Mountain is recognized as the "Longest Miniature Hobby Railroad".

I have to admit that I find this fascinating. Not only the concept of developing a community built on and around a 'Garden Scale' rail system. I would love to be able to go down for one of the Sunday rides, not only to see the trains, but to see the scenery surrounding it. I've always thought Garden Trains were kind of cool -- I remember riding past one on the I-205 Bike Trail just south of the Springwater Corridorr. It was in someone's backyard, behind a hurricane fence, and thus not terribly inviting. I guess if I had been moremotivatedd, I would have tried to make contact.

But such model railroads, while interesting, are small. I'm sure they still require a great deal of work and effort, but it's still just a backyard. On the other hand, I think a bigger, cooperative effort like TMRM holds much greater prospects. Miles and miles through the forest, around the trees, and over the streams. Maybe even have a chance for some wildlife sightings.

Still, pretty interesting, and yet another place I'll never make it too...