the smedley log - suburban scrawl

All kids on the inside

Having written about model trains a week ago, I was especially looking forward to yesterday’s featured leisure activity: a visit to Northlandz in Flemington, New Jersey.

I was part of a small group, consisting of two adults and three kids – though it’s probably safe to say we all felt like kids for most of the time it took to wind our way through the tour. And it did take some time.

With over eight miles of track, Northlandz bills itself as the world’s largest model railroad (a claim I have little reason to doubt). But it wasn’t until we reached the sign telling us we were only 25% done the tour (after more than a half-hour) that the enormity of it hit me. Even more impressive, though, was the fact that I felt not even a tinge of boredom at that realization.

The tunnels, bridges and landscapes were wonderfully detailed, and the tour was literally multi-level, giving visitors the opportunity to see the canyons, mountainsides, valleys and rivers from a variety of angles. Not everyone in our little group was a train enthusiast, but we were all dazzled by the exhibit. For anyone who’s never been to Northlandz, if you find yourself with an opportunity to go, take it – then take your time and enjoy the scenery.

For what it’s worth, even if you can’t make it out to Northlandz, I’ve posted a new Flickr set for the occasion. Please feel free to check out some of the sights we saw.

So how long did the tour last?

Sorry, forgot to include that detail.

The tour (in our case, a self-guided one) took about 2 hours, though without the kids (meaning with a little more patient pace), it could have easily taken 30 to 60 minutes longer.

thank you Howard, I had never heard of it until this post. I checked out your photos. The bridge shots give a good idea of the multiplicity of views.

You’re welcome – and I believe you’re also within driving distance, should the urge to see trains strike you.

I remember an episode of “Reading Rainbow” that originally aired in 1987, in which LeVar Burton visited one of the world’s largest model railroads located in Three Bridges, New Jersey. I’m not sure if this one was it.

Patrick – It’s the same one. Oddly, on a map, Northlandz does look to be closer to Three Bridges than downtown Flemington. Maybe it’s a post office thing.