Garden Railroad Photo Gallery

In 2000 Linda Mueller purchased the Castle Farms 38 acre property in a state of disrepair. She spent the next six years restoring the buildings and now is concentrating on its gardens. The Castle Farms Garden Railroad opened in 2008, running six trains on about 360 feet of track. It is a traditional garden railroad, with scale models set in a sleepy town setting. Linda decided to build a full sized observation tower behind the 2008 Garden Railroad and a second, larger, tower inside the Hedge Maze. From there, children can climb up the tower and look over the Garden Railroad and bridge to the Hedge Maze garden tower and go down a slide into the middle of the Hedge Maze.


More recently, in 2010, there was an expansion of the Garden Railroad with the Fantasy Railway. Located next to the current Garden Railroad and running parallel to it, it weaves inside, and runs atop the green 7 foot tall arborvitaes that make up the Hedge Maze. The addition added about 1,300 feet of track.








This shows the Double Helix Tornado Tower. The Double Helix has two trains on the top. There are ten trains that go around the Double Helix Tornado Tower during a busy day. Visitors push the button on the right post to set the trains in motion.








This shows a section of the 26 foot long bridge Five Level Twin Coaster running a red ladybug eggliner.





This shows a collection of the Fantasy Railways; track-architecture, with the Double Helix Tornado Tower to the right, the 26 foot long bridge in the air, and behind the birch tree , the Five Level Twin Coaster.





This is the view of the six train, tri-level, garden railway built in 2008 at Castle Farms. Behind the layout is the Knight’s Castle and the observation tower for kids to get a birds-eye-view.






This is the view from the Garden Railway observation tower. It shows a large part of the elevated track of the Fantasy Railway. A total of 16 6 foot bridges are used in this layout. You can also see the two of the three covered bridges.








This is a view from the small observation tower looking down on the highest tracks of the Garden Railway, built in 2008.





On the top of the large Hedge Maze observation tower is a 18 inch tall, 6 foot diameter table which can run two trains. Children can play with the trains and run their own rail line!






Photo taken from the Hedge Maze Observation Tower looking over the elevated tracks. This shows the 26 foot length bridge, made of one 14 foot length, with two 6 foot extensions on either end.






Photo taken from the Hedge Maze Observation tower looking North East. We can now run two engines pulling cars on most of the elevated track. Usually the engines have only four wheels so we pick smaller cars.








Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile running on the Five Level twin coaster.  








Many of our current Fantasy Railway trains are converted children’s toys, including our caterpillar, turtle and squirrel.








The Rio Grande diesel train lumbers past the mechanic’s shop in the Garden Railroad, carrying machinery and stones.








A steam engine chugs past the chapel in the woods, along the top tracks of the Garden Railroad.






Cruising over one of three tracks that cross the waterfall, a steam engine makes its way to its destination, with the handcrafted watchtower in the background.










This is the control center of the Fantasy Railway, with six transformers controlling the speed and direction of more than 25 trains.










Photo taken from the Hedge Maze Observation Tower looking West, showing two of the 6 foot bridges running parallel to each other.

July 28 - 29, 2012 - Fiber Arts Festival

More than 50 vendors will be at Castle Farms displaying their wares during the Fiber Arts Festival July 28-29, 2012. Live animals, such as sheep and alpaca, and interactive demonstrations including sheep dogs at work and sheep-shearing presentations, provide hours of enjoyment, as well as being educational. The Fiber Fashion Show, featuring handmade items such as hats, sweaters and lace shawls, highlights the Festival and is great fun for all. The Fiber Arts Festival - a perfect way to celebrate nature’s bounty while enjoying the natural beauty of Castle Farms.

October 24 - 31, 2012 - Antique Dress & Quilt Display

Visit Castle Farm’s Wedding Attire From Across the Decades, on display October 24th - 31th. This fascinating glimpse of antique bridal gowns and grooms’ attire kicks off the celebration of the Castle’s 8th Annual Grand Bridal Expo, Sunday, October 28th, 2012.

September 1 - 2, 2012 - Royal Craft Show

Castle Farms proudly heralds the annual Royal Craft Show, September 1-2, 2012. This annual event held during Labor Day Weekend, is set amidst the majesty of the magnificent stone buildings and sweeping gardens of Castle Farms, and features displays from the finest of Northern Michigan crafters. One of Michigan’s most prestigious craft shows, the Royal Craft Show is a spectacular celebration of unique arts and crafts, and offers something for young and old alike.

October 28, 2012 - Grand Bridal Expo

Castle Farms is honored to host its 8th Annual Grand Bridal Expo on October 28, 2012. This eagerly-anticipated annual event features displays by only the finest in wedding service providers Northern Michigan has to offer, and brides are certain to find that special something to help make all those wedding day dreams come true.. The Grand Finale Fashion Show showcases the latest in bridal fashions. Visit the Grand Bridal Expo at Castle Farms, where timeless elegance and surprisingly affordable weddings join together to create the perfect happily-ever-after.
Copyright © 2012 by Castle Farms. All rights reserved. SiteMap
Powered by SiteChalk