Most people aren’t aware that one of the largest public garden railroads on the East Coast is right here in North Carolina. If you’re wondering what a garden railroad is, then it’s just like it sounds – only better! Trust us; you don’t have to be a model train fan to love North Carolina’s largest garden railroad. It is truly magical, and you’ll want to visit.
The G Scale model trains that run in the Gibsonville Garden Railroad are nothing like the model trains you may have had, or seen, as a child. And this fun attraction, is like nothing you’ve ever seen, either!
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
Nineteen hundred feet of track wind through this massive garden. Twelve different layouts (tracks) roll past various North Carolina places, including a model of Gibsonville in 1855, when the real trains started rolling into town.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
The garden began in 1996 as a project of local resident, Bobby Summers, a retired Freight Conductor on the Southern Railroad.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
It’s grown to include bridges, tunnels, a tram, North Carolina lighthouses, buildings, the Wright Brothers, and more.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
There is even a children’s section featuring favorites for the little ones, like Thomas! In 2017, a new line of track was added just for the Hogwarts Express.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
You can see the Garden Railroad any time. It’s always available, however, if you want to see the trains running, then you’ll need to plan a trip on the first Saturday of each month. The trains run from 9 am - noon, April to December.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
Train operations may be halted or avoided in certain weather. Rain, temps over 82 degrees, and extremely windy conditions will prevent the trains from running. But when they run… get ready! There are multiple trains running at one time!
YouTube/heliflyer7
Operators are busy right now getting ready for the first run of the season this Saturday, April 7, 2018.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad See more of the layout (but without the trains) in this three-minute video from YouTube user heliflyer7.
The Gibsonville Garden Railroad is located just 20 minutes east of Greensboro, North Carolina in Gibsonville. The address is 220 East Main St.,Gibsonville, NC. Trains run on the first Saturday of each month, April to December, from 9am to noon. Learn more on their Facebook page.
Facebook/Gibsonville Garden Railroad
YouTube/heliflyer7
See more of the layout (but without the trains) in this three-minute video from YouTube user heliflyer7.
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