Elaborate Md. Train Garden Draws Thousands
DUNDALK, Md. (WJZ) --Baltimore is a city of traditions. Few are stronger than for those who love their Christmas train gardens.
Mike Schuh has more on an ever-changing garden in our area.
Pull on over for the most elaborate temporary train garden in town. It's the Wise Avenue Volunteer Train Garden in Dundalk.
Ten people have been working since October.
"We may end up being here until 2 or 3 in the morning," said Bill Price, train garden builder.
That's easy to understand when you realize each year there's a different theme, layout and trains. There's even a regular changeover from night to day.
There are 200 moving displays and new topical additions each year, like a casino and wind turbines. There are the special things that let you know you're in Baltimore, like WJZ's Ron Matz in a display, the Inner Harbor, the Bromo Tower and a wink from Bo.
You can see I-95 go into the tunnels and the Ravens fight Pittsburgh. That display is accurate down to the blown calls by the NFL referees.
"Our reward is seeing the children when their faces light up," said Price.
Some children are older than others.
"I love trains. The high point for me is my wife not yelling at me for setting one up at the house. Have it here, and she doesn't have to worry about that," said Wayne Nickel, train chairman.
About 40,000 people are expected. A $1 donation for adults is requested.
The Wise Avenue train garden is open weeknights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from noon to 9 p.m. on weekends.
