History

SJGRS HAS A HISTORY....

SJGRS was started in 1994 with four families (a small but enthusiastic train group) getting together to talk about setting up outside layouts. Over the years, we have interested new members in getting their trains out in the garden.
When Ocean City offered to host a train show on the Boardwalk Music Pier for all gauges, our club hopped on board to show the public a different view of model railroading. We began to set up the December show with a small layout and trains with Christmas music and a winter theme. Our layout drew children of all ages to come and sit for a while (Ocean City gave us the stage for our layout) and just watch the trains! Parents and Grandparents didn't have to hold little engineers up to see the trains, they could sit on the stage and let everyone get a look.
The train show was such a success, that Ocean City decided to host a show in May. We got into the spirit of spring, with gardens and flowers to show off our trains.
Cold Spring Village in Cape May County hosted a model train show and invited SJGRS to participate. We set up a garden railroad and a display on tables.
Success brings more requests, so SJGRS is now providing layouts at the Naval Air Station in Cape May each August, participating in a big air show and display. Also, the club sets up a layout at the Upper Township Community Center in conjunction with the Tuckahoe Museum.
For the past two years SJGRS has assisted Longwood Gardens by volunteering our services to run trains set up by Paul Busse and Longwood Gardens, and talk to visitors about this great hobby. All of these shows have developed into annual events, and we are pleased to be part of letting the general public get a closer look at G-Gauge/Scale model railroading.
SJGRS and members bought ties to support the Wilmington & Western Railroad in their effort to restore track and bridges that were washed out during a flood. We also have taken rides and had picnics at the WWRR site.
Our railroads run from....
Capy May to Browns Mills in New Jersey and several members hopped on board who live in Pennsylvania.

Meetings
Meetings are held each month at a member's home (on a volunteer basis) or several members who live in the area may opt to share a meeting at a local hall to provide workshops. etc., have a social time and if possible tour garden layouts in the area.

South Jersey
Garden Railroad Society
1103 Seaside Ave.
Absecon, NJ 08201

For membership information e-mail:
nanab1@comcast.net

E-mail our Webmaster:
sjgrswebmstr@verizon.net

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