Sparking Imagination

"While we were working on the main garden, our family was growing," says Janet. "We had a fifth grandchild, Caty. And they were all getting antsy for a railroad, so we built a little side garden to keep them occupied." The Sherwood Forest Shortline, named after the couple's fir-studded neighborhood, runs alongside the house. "We were slaving away in the backyard, and the children's giggles would echo back to us."

For the backyard, the couple, who are fans of steam locomotives, opted for a late 1800s theme, complete with Victorian structures. Grandson Nathan, now 16, helped build the set -- a G-scale, the larger version of model trains. "When we first laid the track out on the backyard grass, I was only 5. But I worked all day, and I ran the very first train."

 

While Nathan's sister, Natasha, worked with Mike to cement rocks in the waterfall, Nathan helped Janet place elaborate miniature structures around the premises. Built from kits and repainted by Mike and Janet, the homes, farms, church, and saloon became a playground for Justin, who was responsible for placing the townfolk and houses. Granddaughter Caty got her own train in a small garden on the side of the house, one that rides past all her favorite Disney characters.

"I'm only 5 1/2 years old, but there's been a train at my gamma's and bompa's house all of my life," says Caty. "It looks like a real village, just the way old-fashioned people would be."

Janet smiles. "Caty's still young enough to appreciate the imaginary world," says Janet. "It's been this great playground for the kids, and it's grown and changed as they've grown and changed."