Monday, December 6, 2010

The NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show


The New York Botanical Garden, located at 200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, hosts the annual Holiday Train Show from November 20th to January 9th, 2010.  It has become a cherished seasonal tradition displayed every year in the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.  G-scale model trains puff along a half-mile of track in and around 140 miniature landmark New York City buildings constructed entirely of natural materials such as nuts, tree bark, fruits, pine cones, and leaves,



This was the first time my husband and I visited the exhibit and we were enthralled by the wonderful detail of
all the historic buildings made out of plant material that were on display. 


New York City icons such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Grand Central Station, and the original Yankee Stadium and Pennsylvania Station were all represented. Even this replica NY Botanical beautiful Victorian Haupt Conservatory was on display!

A series of model trains run past these majestically recreated landmarks, and  travel through tunnels made out of hollowed tree trunks, and journey overhead along replicas of New York’s famous bridges!

This is the replica of the old New York Yankee Stadium in all its glory.



You click click on the arrow to see a short video we took of one of the trains passing by the stadium.


From New York brownstones to Hudson River mansions, care has been taken in carving buildings such as Teddy Roosevelt’s Birthplace, John D. Rockefeller’s Kykuit, and the homes of the American writers Edgar Allan Poe and Washington Irving.


 Children visitors loved seeing Thomas the Train among the many different trains that were weaving their way around the exhibit! Click on the arrow to see Thomas' cheerful face!

Even the skyline of Manhattan was reproduced, with all the famous skyscraper windows twinkling in the night.


Click the arrow to see the scale of the buildings next to visitors walking through the display.  As you can see the train show is very popular!

Jut look how the beautiful 1873 Bethesda fountain in Central Park, also known as The Angel of the Waters, has been reproduced in great detail!  This was one of my favorite sights to seem although I think each time I visit I will notice something new that will also amaze and delight me.


When we left the Train Show it was early evening and the conservatory and botanical garden were lit by moonlight and Christmas lights to make it a magical scene.


I'm linking to Mary at The Little Red House for Mosaic Monday! Please visit Mary today to see her beautiful photo mosaic and links to all the blogs participating today.

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48 comments:

The Muse said...

Pretty, pretty, just beautiful!

C.M. Jackson said...

NYBG is one of my favorite places--I have not been to the train show and given your photos I think I must add this to list of mustdo's--great post! c

pam said...

OH MY WORD...that is amazing. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post.

RNSANE said...

It is hard to believe that anyone can create something so fabulous out of all natural materials. It is so incredibly magical, with all its twinkling lights, and it is so wonderfully like the original buildings, bridges, monuments, etc. True artists, these folks who managed to do this. I cannot imagine anyone, who visits NY, would fail to see this if they've seen your wonderful blog!

Pondside said...

It's magical. I know two little boys and their grandfather who would love to see something like this!
You give us views of your city that I'd never have imagined.

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are awesome! My favorites are the bridge, the skyscrapers, Yankee Stadium, and the Botanical Garden itself. I LOVE botanical Gardens at Christmas!!

Cheryl D. said...

I love seeing NYC through your eyes!

dianasfaria.com said...

I've heard about this but have never seen it. Thanks for sharing this Pat. It is even more amazing than I would have ever imagined.

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

We visited the NYBG this summer for the first time, and this is just amazing. I can't wait to show this to my husband (who grew up in NYC). We visit often, this may go on the list!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Christmas lights are one of my favorite things. The Angel of The Waters is exquisite. And the rest of it looks like so much fun!!!

Mary said...

How incredible & amazing! What attention to detail the building replicas have~ I enjoyed your videos, particularly the one showing the scale of the visitors. How amazing that must have been to see that in person :-)

Sue McPeak said...

Another Fantastic Tour with amazing photos and mosaics! Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to make such a special Christmas post! Loved it all!
Merry Christmas!

Tanna said...

My little grandson would LOVE to see the trains. His Noni would love to see the whole exhibit. Thank you for allowing us to see along with you!

Kat said...

This is amazing Pat. The detail is incredible. My favorite was the last video showing the trains going over the bridges (I know, I was supposed to be looking at the scale, but bridges fascinate me) What a gorgeous exhibit. Kat

Carol said...

The Gardens are magical and you captured every bit of it, Pat! Thanks for the tour, haven't been in years.

Gracie said...

WOW that would have been my husband personal paradise!!!!

Happy@Home said...

Wow, that is amazing and beautiful. I can only imagine how spectacular it must be in person.

Anonymous said...

This is oh so wonderful!

Wilmington has a LEGO train exhibit at Airlie Gardens but this... oh my goodness! I love the Conservatory miniature!

I'm so glad you posted this. Makes me want to hop a train to NYC! Let's see... I'd go here and that Italian market you showed us and ... (sigh) NYC should have you on salary!

Claudia said...

I am a sucker for model trains! There - I said it. never grew out of it. So sorry I didn'tdo this last time I was in NYC -almost but no. So wonderful to see it vicariously through your eyes. I love that the models are plant based - especially sweet is the skyline.

Vee said...

"Thomas! I love Thomas!" Oh what a cute little voice. Very impressive. We're going to a train show next weekend with the grands in tow. It'll be wonderful, but not as impressive as this.

Lovella ♥ said...

Pat ..what a wonderful display at the botanical gardens. The conservatory buildings themselves are quite a sight to behold.

I wonder how many man hours goes into creating the entire display. It is clearly a work of love.

Judy said...

Well, thank-you for taking us along! It's a magical place...and I can think of a few people I would like to take there.

I have friends in New York City this weekend...trying to take in all the Christmas delights, but I see they will have trouble packing it all in in four days!

Donnie said...

That would have been wonderful to see. Fabulous photos so I feel I saw the best parts. Thanks.

La said...

Hi Pat! Thank you for sharing this wonderous exhibit. The men in my family, back in the day, were railroaders. They would love this. La

Yvette said...

Oh, thank you for this, Pat. Such a wonderful exhibit. So beautiful!
Christmas is such a magical season.
Especially in New York.

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Never had I heard of this wonder. Thanks for sharing all the lovely details!

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

I am awe struck. The amount of work in producing the replicas of those buildings is outstanding. What a delight to see.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Pat, You are just so fortunate to have all of those wonderful opportunities -living in the area you do... LUCKY Girl!!!!!!

I LOVE trains. My Dad worked for the railroad and my brothers both had huge Lionel train sets for years. Then when my sons were little, they had big train sets also....

I would have loved to have seen that fabulous display--including all of the landscape additions, etc... It's amazing what they can do, isn't it????

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous Pat!

We are hoping to get to Mo Botanical Garden this week. Can't wait.

GailO said...

I have wanted to go to see this holiday train show since I saw it on a Martha Stewart show years ago....it just hasn't happened though. The trip and the crowds certainly look worth it if only for the lights at the end of the day! ...another fun thing to take your grandson too in a couple of years:)

My name is Riet said...

How beautiful and amazing this is. Thank you for showing. Have a great week.

Old Kitty said...

Oh Pat!! What a brilliant train show!! Oh wow!! I love that clip with Thomas the Tank Engine cos I could hear tiny children calling out to Thomas and saying hello to him!! That's just so adorable!!

Oh but your last clip is brilliant!! Wow!! What a show!!! And the detail of each NY landmark is just incredible!!! It's so huge you really need a whole day out to see all of the show!!

This is a most impressive model train show ever!! LOL!! Thank you so much for sharing this event here!! Your pics are fabulous as ever!
Take care
x

Grandmother Mary said...

This is so fabulous. I'm glad you filmed people to show the scale of the buildings- impressive! I lived in NYC for a year but never saw this wonderful display. That level of creativity is amazing!

Anonymous said...

What amazing details! The Chrysler Building! WOW!

The lit scene outside was magical just like a Winter wonderland.

Blooming Rose Musings said...

How very magical and gorgeous. I know I keep saying this but you just amaze me with your fabulous photography. I have looked at this post twice (so far)and each time I see something new and wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing the fantastic New York Botanical Garden with us. Your photography makes me feel as if I am walking along right beside you. Wonderful!

Michelle said...

I really like seeing the train display. So intricate and time consuming to plan and set up.

steviewren said...

What a fantastic display! It's like seeing a whole city of fairy houses like those you might have tried building in your backyard when you were a child.

How many people worked on this project and for how long?

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh wow!! I know why my cousin would spend every Christmas in New York City!!! Wonderful! I especially enjoyed the train. Wishing you a grand day! Cathy

Tracy said...

Hi, Pat! What a great show... just magical! We're back from our Thanksgiving/USA trip--had wonderful time! I'm slowing getting to visiting and such though, as I've not been feeling too well in recent days--but getting there. Great to be catching up with you and back in blogland. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

That was absolutely fantastic...love the trains and the beautifully created buildings and scenes...amazing! Thanks for sharing!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

How gorgeous! The video clip really made it real for me. I wish we lived closer!

Vittle me this... said...

this is great! I might have to make a trip up there!

Vittle me this... said...

this is great! I might have to make a trip up there!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Such creativity, passion and hard work to accomplish all of this! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!

Kathleen said...

I just sent this to my son, I think his 3 little boys would like the train show, I know I would. I love the pics of the city lit up. I haven't been in since my son moved out after their baby was born.
Beautiful pics, Pat!

Unknown said...

It's amazing Pat and I would love to go there :)

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Wow! Would love to see it all in person. Thanks for sharing your great photos! I am going back to take another look.

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Fantastiche foto.
Grandi !
Buona serata :)
Myriam