Railway Society

Who would have thought? To put model trains in the garden and let Mother Nature take care of the ever changing scenery. Even leaving them out there year 'round to watch them run through the flowers and shrubbery rain or shine.

Well, those were the thoughts of a handful of Bay Area folks back in 1988 when they established the Bay Area Garden Railway Society (BAGRS). The club has now grown to over 500 families throughout the Bay Area with new garden railways popping up among the petunias at a dizzying pace. But not all members watch their trains running around the gazebo or under the waterfall.

A small group of members have built portable modules, each reflecting the personalities of the various owners, who bring them together to display these large trains to those who haven't heard of this gardening phenomenon. The gold mine, play ground, farm yard and cascading water comes together to form a model train layout unique in the hobby. Smoke and sound effects bring back the old days of railroading as the trains rumble by, ranging from 1880's vintage narrow gauge passenger trains to 1990's diesels pulling long freights.

During "Spring in Guadalupe Gardens" on April 22nd, the BAGRS Short Line will be setting up at the gardens. But it gets even better. The BAGRS Live Steam modular layout will also be set up at the gardens to dazzle you with tiny engines containing real fires boiling water. Just like in the glorious days of steam, these little engines spout the same plumbs of steam and smoke while pulling freight and passengers around the track.

So come over, get close and let the big, little trains take you back to days when the steel rails called you to some far away place full of adventure and intrigue.