Arizona Big Train Operators are a garden-scale train club (large-scale) whose members open their backyards for the public twice a year for viewing of their trains and setup including intricate landscaping, buildings, and other architecture. There are several open houses throughout the valley and four within Mesa. Here are the dates:
Saturdays and Sundays,
December 12th and 13th 4:00- 8:00pm
December 19th and 20th 4:00-8:00pm
December 12th and 13th 4:00- 8:00pm
December 19th and 20th 4:00-8:00pm
Times may vary by location so make sure to check the schedule before you go to a specific house. And if you only get out to one train open house, go to Dennis Sirrine’s. It’s number thirteen on the link above, or click here for the map to this specific home.
Here is how the ABTO website describes Sirrine’s train setup:
“There are 3,500 feet of track on his 4 acre in northeast Mesa to run his model locomotives, which number 300. Borders of deep violet alyssum flowers, manicured green areas, rocky pathways and myriad touches such as light posts, tunnels and viewing platforms combine to make a realistic model railroad. Add to that his more than 4,000 freight cars and 400 passenger cars parked in a structure built especially for the collection, and you have the "Palo Verde & Southwestern Railroad" - or what is believed to be the third-largest garden railroad layout in the United States.”
“There are 3,500 feet of track on his 4 acre in northeast Mesa to run his model locomotives, which number 300. Borders of deep violet alyssum flowers, manicured green areas, rocky pathways and myriad touches such as light posts, tunnels and viewing platforms combine to make a realistic model railroad. Add to that his more than 4,000 freight cars and 400 passenger cars parked in a structure built especially for the collection, and you have the "Palo Verde & Southwestern Railroad" - or what is believed to be the third-largest garden railroad layout in the United States.”
Viewing the trains is fun for both kids and adults. Most locations accept donations for children’s hospitals so bring some cash if you’d like to donate.
Pictures of Dennis Sirrine taken from ABTO website.
1 comment:
Thank you so much for your blog! My SIL had mentioned it to me- we went to the trains and had a blast! Never knew such a thing existed. We also went to the Reflections of Christ and that was neat too! Thanks
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