Every year, the Garden Railway has a different theme. This year's theme is "Painted Ladies," colorful miniature replicas of Victorian homes, seen in cities across the country. This fabulous architectural style began in San Francisco after the Gold Rush when homes were built in a glorious mix of Carpenter Gothic, French Renaissance, Queen Anne, and others embellished with flashy scrolls, fans, and rosettes on porches, balconies, cornices, towers and turrets.
It is a joy to come out to the Morris Arboretum and see families - anywhere from small children to older adults - enjoying the display. The trains are quite impressive but the miniature world they operate in is even more awesome. There is about a quarter mile of track woven between the miniature houses that are part of the "Painted Ladies", but also the permanent miniature series of well loved Philadelphia buildings (like the Betsy Ross House or Elfreth's Alley or Independence Hall), across really cool natural bridges and tunnels.
Walking through Garden Railway a few days ago, I heard several different people calling their family and friends to tell them that the Garden Railway was at Morris Arboretum and they should really bring their family out to see it. It is a perfect activity for anyone who loves the outdoors, loves trains, loves Philly or just loves a good time...Enjoy some pictures:
