07/02/02

Welcome to the Ida Springs Garden Railroad Web Site!

The History & start of the Ida Springs Railroad

·        February of 2001, my wife Cindy & I went to Epcot Center in Florida (Disney World).   At the German exhibit, there was a large garden railroad running outside, along the sidewalk, under the sidewalk, & along the hillside.  There were factories, farms, people, train whistles blowing, with lots of people watching.  I said to Cindy, we need one of these in our front yard.  So upon returning from vacation, I started collecting train stuff.

·        May 2001, I built the first part of the railroad.  It took all month.  It opened Memorial Day 2001, we had hundreds of people walk down onto the lawn & watch the trains run.

·        May 2002, the South loop with curved trestle was added, because of the weather, it also took all month to build.  The water wheel on the mill building was made into a real operating water wheel.  The creek was resealed because of the deer walking across it, it had started to leak.  Sound effects were added to a couple of the buildings. Again, opening Memorial Day 2002.

·        The main railroad theme is Western, from about 1860’s-80’s.  The main line is about 150 feet long, has one 3 foot thru wood truss bridge, & one regular truss bridge. One 6 foot curved trestle,  & a 30 foot long creek with small pond.