Highballing On A Clear Track
There's a little bit of the adventurer in everyone, as the saying goes. Here
is a most interesting place where dreams can be imagined and where dreams
become reality.
It is a place where young and old, men and women, can see toys and miniatures
through eyes of the young, and as things of beauty.
Housed in the large three story former boarding house which has its own untold
tales, is a unique effort undertaken by one determined man to bring fresh
interest to railroad buffs and to the child in all of us.
For here it is that your guide wants to share his keen insight into railroads
and model building for all to see. One enters the main
entrance to be greeted by a warm dark haired man who, since the age of 8,
has developed a love for railroading and model making.
In his own inimitable way, he has gathered together a multitude of
types that bring a fresh vision into the mechanical delights of the old and
new in these giants of the rails. Many of the models and the
extensive network of track, tunnels, mountains, buildings,
yards,
and structures have been built by Roger. You will see they were made with
patience and concern for details, which required diligent research.
Use your imagination if you will. Imagine the opportunity to travel on a
particular car, engine or train. Imagine yourself at the
throttle as one winds one's way through these mazes of trackage. Listen to the
lonesome sound of the whistle!
Watch the locomotive belching puffs of smoke as it gets up a head of steam!
See the mail car eject a mail pouch. Better yet, get a chuckle at the cow
that wanders onto a track and
becomes startled at a train's approach, then jumps to the safety of the
field.
All this fills a very large room on the entire
third floor of the building. From a controller platform your guide directs
the train traffic. Your engineer
transfers, and moves trains of varying lengths forward and backward through a
maze of switches, towns, yards, and countryside to the delight of the beholder.
A many storied magnificent trestle spans
a deep chasm in the hillside. RR car yards, trackage, and landscapes lend a
pictorial representation of an entire rail system, that covers the large
raised structure which supports this project.
The train layout is 33' X 16' The rolling stock is
all Gilbert American Flyer. Construction was started in 1980 and the layout
was open for
business in 1981. It took about 8 months of full time work to get it ready for
the public to view. There is approximately 300 feet of track in use.
Electronics provides a great deal of the
support mechanism for this marvelous display. Lights are controlled and
take the visitor from daytime to night and back, simulating a 24 hour
scheduling of railroading at work.
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Model railroaders the world over go out
of their way to see new layouts and innovations wherever they travel including
Crossroads of America.
Parents, do yourself and the kids a favor and go see a
complete record of RR history in miniature!
Teachers, what an opportunity to see how transportation can be traced
through the many models that date back to the very earliest steam engine.
Have a class lecture and give them an exciting study in reality. It's an
invaluable group experience.
Travel over Rte. 302 to
the intersection of Trudeau Road in Bethlehem Junction. Crossroads of America
is located just west of Pierce Bridge. Re-live the youthful fantasies at
the place where so many travelers go. Come to the beautiful mountain area
flocked in days gone by.
CALL 603-869-3919
"THE NICEST PEOPLE
IN THE WORLD COME VISIT OUR EXHIBITORIUM"
Tours in the Museum are given every
half hour.
Open June 1st thru Foliage Season
(Mid Oct.)
Closed Mondays Hours 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In the winter call. 603 869-3919 E-mail
[email protected]
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