Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A Weekend Away - Part 2

One of the more unique tourist spots in Helen is an alpine model railroad museum called Charlemagne's Kingdom

This is a fifty foot long, handmade, HO scale model railroad that is designed to depict the various terrain and architecture of Germany...from the shores of the North Sea to the 22 foot tall replica of the "Matterhorn." 

Model trains are the life long hobby of the owner who, along with his very supportive and understanding (and no doubt long-suffering) wife, constructed this replica of his homeland in the purpose built exhibit hall. 

"The model, complete with bridges, autobahn with moving vehicles, and authentic German rural, industrial and urban architecture, is fully peopled. The computer-operated railway system with intriguing train track layouts, terminals, tunnels and trestles is circled by miniature Hot-Air Balloons." - quote from website linked above

Apparently, my aunt and uncle have been gagging to see this place for years.  Who knew??

And you guys...tickets are only like $5, so why not go?

I have to admit...this place was kind of amazing.

There was just so much to look at.
 
Lights flickering, trains and trolley cars rattling past, hot air balloons circling overhead.   

Tiny villages and farms, vegetables growing in neat rows, cows and sheep out standing in fields.

City centers, parks, streetlights and tiny little VWs.

Tiny little flowers growing in tiny little window boxes.

A dragon attacking a castle!
There were two 'crashed' space ships in there too, but I forgot to take a picture.
 
Little train stations, hospitals, churches, and fountains.  

There was even miniature scaffolding on one of the buildings and tiny construction workers standing around on a smoke break.

See the bridge on the right?  Tiny bungee jumper!

Tiny little people shopping, walking dogs, delivering mail, having coffee at a sidewalk café.

Also, traffic was at a standstill on the Autobahn because a jack-knifed semi.
Rescue vehicles and a crane truck were on the scene...but the cops weren't.
 
The walled city of Rothenburg, which is where my uncle's family is from. 

Wow...that dragon is really determined.

And, because no miniature Germany worth it's salt would be complete without it...

Neuschwanstein Castle
 
- HistoryDiva 

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