REFLECTIONS

All aboard!
Growing up, many young boys tinkered with a railroad set they had received for Christmas. And many men are still boys at heart when it comes to model railroading.
I was one of those novice railroaders who as a youngster took time out from chores on the dairy farm located just seven miles southwest of Blooming Prairie.
On our recent visit to see Darrell and Cindi Hansen in Mesa, Ariz., we were introduced to several volunteers who put together a garden railroad at the Valle Del Oro Resort in Mesa.
"You've just got to see this creation," said the Hansens. Their invitation was accepted since Judy's and Cindi's father worked more than 35 years on the railroad, mostly with the Rock Island.
I also had two uncles who worked for the M & STL Railroad. My grandfather was killed while working on the railroad. My mother was only 10 at the time.
While walking around the G gauge railroad, Judy and I were amazed at the workmanship created by the volunteers. The railroad hobbyists made their own track and built the components of a railroad serving a small community.
I talked at length with a volunteer railroader from Des Moines, Iowa. He said working on the railroad was a hobby that also became a stress relaxer.
We also met up with Ward Lewis, a retired chiropractor from Forest Lake. He said he built about 30 of the featured businesses. He also built the railroad's carousel.
The railroad operates from November through March on Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. till noon. It’s located at Valle Del Oro Resort. 1452 S Ellsworth Road in Mesa.  
It is maintained, improved and expanded by volunteers with the assistance of the park.  The layout consists of more than 3,800 feet of track with 8 loops, one point-to-point operation, and many sidings. 
The railroad is “G” gauge (width of track) with the actual size (scale) of the rolling stock varying by manufacturer. Most buildings were built from scratch by railway volunteers. Initially, trains were powered with 12-volt track power, but now run on  battery power (similar to remote control cars). A few features use track power instead of battery. 
Visitors are always welcome and someone is generally available in the mornings to answer questions.
The action at the railroad becomes more intense when a shout-out is heard: "Derailment on Track 4."
Take a trip to the Valle Del Oro Garden Railroad. It will be an experience long to remember.