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.

[CB Knipp]

Great shots, Bob! I have never seen anything like this... that is a very big setup. This must take a lot of care to keep up. It must be hard on that stuff to endure all those hours of sun and then some rain. Do they pack it all away in foul weather? Either way, thanks for the photos and it is definately impressive!

[SpecialK]

Everyone needs a hobby :-)

[Bob Harris]

Great shots, Bob! I have never seen anything like this... that is a very big setup. This must take a lot of care to keep up. It must be hard on that stuff to endure all those hours of sun and then some rain. Do they pack it all away in foul weather? Either way, thanks for the photos and it is definately impressive!

There is a covered roundhouse there and the trains are kept there in foul weather and during the evening when not in operation. The rest of the exhibition is stationary and remains outdoors and uncovered. There are as many as 5 trains running at the same time and are controlled by the "engineer" in the control tower. Here is a video I found on youtube if you would like to view it, sort of fun to hear the trains in operation. Thanks for looking, glad you enjoyed our day at the zoo.

G-Scale Train at the Living Desert Palm Springs - YouTube

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Last edited by Bob Harris; 03-19-2013 at 09:21 PM.

[Bob Harris]

Everyone needs a hobby :-)

This is a pretty cool setup Kyle and if you haven't visited, worth the time to do so

Palm Springs & Palm Desert's only Zoo and Botanical Garden - The Living Desert - Palm Desert California.

[CB Knipp]

Thanks for the video link, Bob. The video further showed just how extensive the model is. I am very impressed! Glad to hear that they cover the trains. Still, there is a lot of time and energy put into the artificial environment they have made and it must be pretty tough to withstand the weather. I bet the individual controlling this creation loves their job. Wonderful post.

[SpecialK]

This is a pretty cool setup Kyle and if you haven't visited, worth the time to do so

Palm Springs & Palm Desert's only Zoo and Botanical Garden - The Living Desert - Palm Desert California.

Yep, I have been there.

[Bob Harris]

Yep, I have been there.

We have sure traveled a lot of the same roads Kyle.

[AussieTrev]

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

[RichardS]

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.

[elmo wartz]

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...

[daacon]

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

[Sailor]

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

[normhead]

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?

[8540tomg]

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

Thanks for sharing Bob.

Tom G