The Living Desert features animals and plants that thrive in deserts from all around the world, including all four deserts of North America. An added attraction it the zoo is the "G" Scale Model Train display which takes up the the approximate size of a football field. All trains and signals are operational and if you enjoy trains you will enjoy this exhibition which is included in the park admission. This brought back so many memories of the train sets I had as a young boy, the noise of metal against track, the steam whistle blowing and of course having full control of the rheostat to speed the engine up for that long straightaway run.
The trains are referred to as "G" scale, which is approximately 1/2 inch to the foot or 1:22.5 inches, about twice the size of Lionel trains. Although not the largest model scale train, it is the most popular "large scale" train. The locomotives, rolling stock, track, switches and most of the equipment are made by LGB. In fact, the letters "LGB" stand for Lehmann Gross Bahn or Lehmann's Big Train.

[fotogaffer]

I really enjoyed looking at these photos as well. Amazing set up! I've never seen anything like it before and it must be a real passion for the local train model buffs. Thanks for sharing.

[charliezap]

Great photos Bob and I enjoyed the video.--charliezap

[Bob Harris]

That is one awesome layout. That trestle is something else. Love your shots.

thanks Trev, I didn't really take many shots of the animals. Guess I will have to go back and visit again.

[Bob Harris]

Oh wow! Great shots, Bob. Model railways do something for me.

My father was a model railway enthusiast when he was younger and we had some great gear. In the 1960s it was mostly Marklin HO and it might still be around somewhere. The collection started in the late 1950s, when we lived in Germany, and was expanded when we lived in Malaysia. We moved country every three or so years, so it wasn't possible to set up permanent installations. My grandfather showed me the surviving bits of the model railway installation my father had built as a teenager. Very impressive.

Thanks for showing.

Richard.

Richard, that would be awesome to be able to get the train collection back. Think of all the memories you would have holding and playing with the set again. I appreciate you looking and commenting.

[Bob Harris]

Mr. H. What a great model r.r.... Your photo s capture it on a grand scale. Especially when you notice the people in the photo, you get an idea how large this setup really is.....for anyone interested in large scale trains, there's a great magazine out called garden railways. You can check it out online..some of the railroads people build in their yards are unbelievable, as is the one you posted. I've attached a few flicks of my sierra diablo & playa de rosarito r.r. I'm in the process of revamping part of it,as the photos show. I live a block from the beach and the only real maintenance is keeping the track clean from the sea air.. Lgb trains are like the u. S. Post office, rain sleet or snow they deliver...plus they're great for photos...

thanks for the additional information, looks like you have quite a setup. Is the spur operational. I would be interested to see the final layout, if in fact there is ever a final layout.

[Bob Harris]

Wow now that is a place to play ! Some elaborate set up there Bob - well captured.

Yeah, I guess you could call this a Big Boy Toy.

[Bob Harris]

Bob, you go so many places, it's hard to keep . . . . . . . track . . . . . . . of you. Sorry, I didn't mean to . . . . . . derail . . . . . . . thread . Cool shots, buddy.

Jer

Hard to top that quote buddy, so I will quit while I'm behind.

[Bob Harris]

The time put into that train set is just inconceivable. Excuse me while I go and try and un-boggle my mind. But you have to ask Bob, what kind of guy goes to a zoo and takes pictures of model trains?

I know what you mean, probably the type of guy that doesn't even own a coat.

[Bob Harris]

I see someone else built the model railway I dreamed about as a kid.

Thanks for sharing Bob.

Tom G

What I thought was cool, is that they have a volunteer program. You could play for free, doesn't get any better.

[Bob Harris]

for those that are interested, here is some additional information on the model trains and group that built and run it.
G-Scale Model Train - The Living Desert

[Bob Harris]

I really enjoyed looking at these photos as well. Amazing set up! I've never seen anything like it before and it must be a real passion for the local train model buffs. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you enjoyed the thread, a lot of love was put into this, that is for sure.

[Bob Harris]

Great photos Bob and I enjoyed the video.--charliezap

thanks so much Charlie, glad you enjoyed the shots and video.

[elmo wartz]

Mr . H. Thankyou for the kind words about my setup..in retrospect i kind of feel like a popcorn pimp posting a photo of my postage stamp railroad in the same thread as that unbelievable palm desert layout.i guess the excitement of seeing people show interest in something that's been , with me my whole life, yep i started with lionel trains back in the 50's. What would xmas be without a set of lionels running around under the xmas tree? Anyway the message is you can get a kick out of a layout you and or family , friends etc. Build, no matter the size. Nuff said. Yes the spur is operational photo attached.and no the layout will never be finished even as small as it is. But hey it is what it is and it's all good!

[Kerrowdown]

guy goes to a zoo and takes pictures of model trains?

The animals were all out to lunch when he visited.

[Bob Harris]

Mr . H. Thankyou for the kind words about my setup..in retrospect i kind of feel like a popcorn pimp posting a photo of my postage stamp railroad in the same thread as that unbelievable palm desert layout.i guess the excitement of seeing people show interest in something that's been , with me my whole life, yep i started with lionel trains back in the 50's. What would xmas be without a set of lionels running around under the xmas tree? Anyway the message is you can get a kick out of a layout you and or family , friends etc. Build, no matter the size. Nuff said. Yes the spur is operational photo attached.and no the layout will never be finished even as small as it is. But hey it is what it is and it's all good!

thanks for the added photos, I especially like how you got face to face in #1, what a great shot. A buddy of mine has been building his layout for 30 years, it now takes up one bedroom. next time we travel there, I'll do a thread on his trains. I remember as a kid putting a burning pellet into the front train stack to give it smoke as it traveled. Those Christmas's were special with the train running around the tree, thanks for bringing that memory back.