Jim Russ From WBAL Radio 1090 AM Visits the Highlandtown Train Garden and Interviews Terry Maillar

WBAL Radio 1090 AM reporter Jim Russ stopped by the Highlandtown Train Garden to take pictures and interview an engineer. Follow the link below to see his pictures and video of the Train Garden and hear Terry Maillar, one of the engineers, who is pictured below, tell his story about his interest in trains and insight into the Highlandtown Train Garden. Mr. Russ also provides some information about the Union Station Train Garden.

 For information about the Highlandtown Train Garden visit www.highlandtowntraingarden.com.

Terry Maillar

Click on the link below to see Mr. Russ' pictures and hear Terry Maillar's interview.

http://www.wbal.com/article/104514/3/all-aboard-the-christmas-train

You Can Win This Train Set at the Highlandtown Train Garden Raffle

FREIGHTLINE USA


Complete and ready to run HO scale electric train set

Action accessories/cars

- Coal tipple

- Crossing Gates

- Gravel Unloader Car

- Snap-In Bridges and Pier Set

- 2 Switch Tracks

- 3 Shanty Huts

- Cars and Trucks

- Transformers

76” X 49” Oval Track

Great Prize for the Raffle at the Highlandtown Train Garden - A Basket Donated by Rob Hoehn

The Highlandtown Train Garden is having its raffle again this year. One prize is the Basket generously donated by Rob Hoehn from Hoehn’s Bakery. In the basket Rob has placed the following items:

1) 2 adult and 2 child combo tickets to

- B&O Railroad Museum

- Ellicott City Station

- Mount Clare Museum House

2) B&O Logo Hat

3) Book - A Story of Mayor Schaefer

and his Train Garden

4) Ravens Train Christmas Ornament

5) Train Garden Pieces – a train

station, a small bakery, and a baker

figurine



Many thanks to Rob and to Hoehn’s Bakery for their support and donations.

School Visit Days Were A Success

Even though one school visit day (Dec. 10)  was cancelled because schools were closed still 803 pre K to 4^th Graders came from the neighboring schools to visit the Highlandtown Train Garden this year. The students came from Hampstead Hill Academy # 47, Highlandtown Elementary and Middle School # 215, Highlandtown Elementary and Middle School # 237, Patterson Park Public Charter School # 327, John Ruhrah Elementary and Middle School # 228, and St. Casimir Catholic School. Words like “cool” and “awesome” were heard repeatedly during their visits.

The Grand Opening of the Highlandtown Train Garden and Spending Your Holidays in Highlandtown

On December 6, 2013 visitors came to the intersection of Conkling St. and Eastern Avenue to witness  the Kick-Off Celebration of  "Spend Your Holidays in Highlandtown". The cold rain did not damper the enthusiasm of the crowd and particpants. The band Sac Au Lait performed their motivating tunes and the hula "hoopers" and stilt walkers fascinated the crowd and Santa Claus cheerfully announced the beginning of the holiday season.  At 6 pm the Tree Lighting at the corner excited everyone by its beauty, and then everyone walked over to Fire House # 41 across the street to officially open the Highlandtown Train Garden. Santa, A.K.A. Maryland State Delegate Luke Clippinger and Father Lou from Our Lady of Pompei Church pressed the remote button that quickly energized the lights and trains of the Train Garden and it now was officially open to the public. The other events were the Merry Mixer along the Avenue and the Family Movie at the Library beginning at 7 pm. Thanks to Matt Saindon for the pictures.

The Engineers of the Highlandtown Train Garden Are Recognized by Maryland State Senator, Barbara Mikulski

Ms. Amy Seeberger, theOutreach, Grants, and Projects Assistant at the Office of U.S. Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski presented a certificate to the engineers of the Highlandtown Train Garden at its Grand Opening on Friday, December 6, 2013. It read as follows: "This certificate is presented to the Engineers of the Highlandtown Train Garden in recognition of your hard work and dedication to spreading holiday cheer in Southeast Baltimore on the occasion of the 5^th Annual Highlandtown Train Garden. Congratulations on reaching this milestone! Your work has created countless opportunities to spread joy to the children, families, and communities of Southeast Baltimore throughout the holiday season. Here’s to many more years of this great tradition! Barbara A. Mikulski, United States Senator on this day the sixth of December, two thousand and thirteen."

The Train Garden Closes at 3 pm Due to Poor Weather Conditions

Due to the snowy and icy weather the engineers have decided to close two hours early. The Train Garden closes at 3 pm today and will reopen on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11 am at our regularly scheduled time. See you then.

Sponsor Night - Friday, December 6, 2013

About twenty sponsors and their many guests visited the Highlandtown Train Garden for Sponsor Night between 5 pm and 5:45 pm on Friday, December 6, 2013. Despite the chilly and rainy weather, the sponsors enjoyed seeing the Train Garden while drinking hot coffee, donated by HighGounds, and eating homemade, delicious cookies baked by Carol Hartke, one of the volunteers. The Train Garden committee wishes to express its thanks to all the sponsors who came and to High Gounds Coffee Roasters, a sponsor, for their coffee and to Carol Hartke, for her baked goods, and also to all the volunteers who helped to make Sponsor Night a great success.

 

One of our Highlandtown Train Garden Volunteers, Carol Hartke, Post This Video

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The First Visitors Have Arrived To Tour This Year's Train Garden

The first visitors to the 2013 Highlandtown Train Garden are smiling for not only being first but also for enjoying the Train Garden with the whole family. 

The Train Garden Has Been Moved To The Firehouse

The Train Garden is now ready for visitors. All the volunteers hope that this 5th year will be a success like the previous four years.

The Volunteers Are Preparing the Firehouse for the Train Garden

The volunteers are deciding what decorations are needed to make the Highlandtown Train Garden a festive place. After all the decorations were put up, everyone waited in anticpation of the moving of the Train Garden platforms into the Firehouse.