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Community Corner

"Choo Choo"........ Take a trip to the Vines Garden Railroad. It's free and it's fun!

Visit the Vines Gardens in Loganville and talk with the members of the Vines Garden RR Club to learn many interesting facts about G scale trains, or just to watch the trains go 'round.

Back in 2002 Larry McFall, Bob Griselbach and Hub Evans took on the task of re-opening the after it had become idle and overgrown with weeds. It had been shut down around 2000 when John Gibb, the original owner of the RR, could no longer maintain it due to his other responsibilities of running the Vines Mansion and his other restaurant.

Other members have since joined McFall & Griselbach (Evans has passed away) in restoring, maintaining and entertaining local and distant folks with their elaborate array of homes, towns, airports, tunnels, waterfall and bridges all focused around the G scale train sets in constant motion around the tracks.

The pride of McFall is the 25-foot steel Hanson truss which is the only one like it in the country. He enjoys talking about the area and takes his time explaining how the site was made. He is passionate about his hobby and will answer all your questions even if he has heard them many times before. 

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Another unique piece is the replica of Atlanta's terminal station that was built to look exactly like the original, which was torn down in 1972.

The newest addition is the Thomas the Tank engine that children have instantly taken to, squealing with delight as it rounds the bend.

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Chase, 2-years-old, and his Dad were visiting from China Grove, NC and took time to come to the Vines to see Thomas.

"Chase loves all things choo-choo, said his Dad when asked what Chase liked best about the exhibit. Chase's dad had a difficult time getting his son to leave the train area when it was time to go as he kept looking and looking for Thomas to head back his way. Before leaving, Dad pressed a donation into McFall's hand.

"We run on donations and volunteers," said McFall. "Anyone is welcome to join our club. You do not have to own a train to join. Just show up, do a little work, and promise you'll come back!"

Women are also welcome to join. A husband and wife team from Cobb County were working the trains recently. Leslie Ann Bundy told of her "bumblebee train" so named because of the yellow and black colors of the train.  

"It is so relaxing to come out here and sit among the trains" Bundy said, adding, "I work all week, so this is my peaceful time."

"I had a whole circus built here one weekend" said Russ Bundy. "My wife fortunately gives me a liberal allowance to build things," he joked when asked who made all the artifacts decorating the miniature town and surrounding scenes. "You never know what you will see here each weekend."

Anyone with a G scale train is encouraged to bring their train to the Vines and run it on the tracks. Recently a man from Greenville, SC came to Loganville to use the tracks for his trains.

With over 1000 feet of tracks, including wye junctions (for turning trains around or changing tracks) and the many exhibits, there is always something to add to, or fix, or modify. The club does major overhauls in the Fall & Spring and operates each Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. weather permitting, in the summer. They open the first Saturday of May, which is National Train Day, and will shut down around October when the weather cools.

"On opening day, we do a re-enactment of the when the golden spike was driven in at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869" McFall said. "We had over 300 people this past May attend that event here at the Vines."

Surveilance cameras and a watch dog have appeared to curb the problem of vandalism in the past.  The site is well maintained, and fascinating to observe. 

About 40-60 people visit the trains each Sunday and during the week, schools, scouts or ladies clubs can be accommodated by appointment. For more information go to www.vinesgardenrailroad.com or contact Mr. McFall at 770-554-9697

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