December 3, 2011. Time for a family visit and Scott suggested Northlandz. Our first visit was around 1998 and now with Liam at 4 years old, we thought he would enjoy it.
There were trains running everywhere. I think the museum has 100 trains in operation all the time ! In many scenes, there were multiple running trains simultaneously.
There were very elaborate bridges everywhere. The skill level and the many hours of dedicated art is clearly demonstrated.
At one point during our tour we heard Christmas Music played on a pipe organ. We eventually found the area and saw Bruce Williams Zaccagnino, the curator, playing on the white organ. I was so caught up with the music that I forgot to take his photo.
The nice thing about the visit was the continuous walkway that allowed everyone to see all the exhibits. Along the way were displays of trains and many other historic items. There were elaborate doll house displays with items to scale . The girls like this a lot.
The central control panel had rows and rows of individual train controllers to keep the rolling stock in action.
One is struck with the level of detail at every scene in the museum. Awesome.
At the end of the tour, was the gift shop. Liam picked up a couple of "Thomas the Tank" items.
Click HERE to see a video of our Northlandz visit
Time for a late lunch and we first thought of the Union Hotel only to find out it closed several years ago. I remember a nice dinner Paddy and I had a the Orvieto Restaurant in Flemington so we stopped by.
Excellent food and great desserts !
After dinner we paid a visit to the nearby Black River and Western Railroad in Ringoes, NJ.
Little did we know that Mrs Claus and Santa were visiting the railroad today.
Then back out to the yard to check out some of the rolling stock.
Paddy and Laura pointed out the Barber - Bettendorf leaf spring assembly, a company I was not familar with, but Scott was.
Well a fabulous day was completed. We said goodbye and are looking forward to the next visit.
