The Highlandtown Train Garden Is Officially Open

On December 2, 2016
Highlandtown Main Street had Santa, picture taking, singing, band playing and the lighting of the tree at Eastern Ave. and Conkling St. between 5 pm and 6:30 pm. At this time the people proceeded across the street to the Train Garden. There Zeke Cohen,
our new First District Councilman, pushed the remote and the Train Garden became officially open.

Ready for Opening Day on Saturday, November 26, 2016

Before Moving In and After Moving In

On Saturday, November 12, 2016 several volunteers and workers helped to move the Train Garden from Pompei to Engine House # 41 at 520 S. Conkling St. Here it will be on display.

A Brief Glimpse of the 2016 Blizzard Scene in the Train Garden (Click on the picture for an up-close view.)

Working on the Sponsor Letters

On October 18, 2016 some members of the Highlandtown Train Garden committee met and worked to send out the sponsor letters. These letters ask businesses and associations in the area to become a sponsor of the Train Garden. There are many benefits of being a sponsor. For more information as to how to become a sponsor please call Joe Manfre at 410-458-9029. Pictured are Doug Campbell, Terry Maillar, Ellen Maillar, and Carol Hartke. Joe Manfre is taking the picture.

Volunteers Are Working Hard Getting the Train Garden Ready

                                 

The New and Improved Near Miss Figure 8

New Sites in This Year's 2016 Highlandtown Train Garden

The Highlandtown Train Garden Committee Met

On Saturday, August 20, 2016 most members of the Highlandtown Train Garden Committee met at Pompei Catholic Church where the Train Garden is stored. Those present were Terry Maillar, Ted Baccala, Carol Hartke, Dennis Moore, Virginia Green, Doug and Joan Campbell, Scott Eggleston, and Joe Manfre. Joe Manfre will inform those members missing of the results of the meeting. After the meeting many members took a tour of the Train Garden and some stayed to work on it.

Coming Soon - Saturday, November 26, 2016

 

Work on This Year's Highlandtown Train Garden is Progressing

Work on the 2016-2017 Highlandtown Train Garden is continuing. We would like to welcome two new volunteers who are helping out at the Train Garden this year. Pictured are Doug Campbell and his wife Joan.

There are a variety of tasks that volunteers can do at the Train Garden and if interested, you may email Joe Manfre at JOESOCST@AOL.COM for more information. This year the Train Garden will have several new features that must be seen. More information will be posted on the blog in the very near future and on the Highlandtown Train Garden Facebook page.

Work Has Begun on the 2016-2017 Highlandtown Train Garden

Several new items are being added to this year's train garden. The engineers - Terry, Scott, and George - have been creating three new features such as those pictured below. One of the items is an arabber which was a Baltimore tradition years ago. Terry is working on a new and improved Figure 8 and Scott and George are working on a new display. Several more new items will be added in the very near future.

Last Meeting of the 2015-2016 Highlandtown Train Garden

On Saturday, February 13, 2016 members of the Highlandtown Train Garden met at Pasticcio's Restaurant in Canton to review the data from the 2015 Train Garden and to express ideas for the upcoming 2016-2017 Train Garden. After the discussion the members enjoyed their meal comprised of salads and pizzas. In a few more months work will be begun on the 2016 Train Garden.

The Highlandtown Train Garden Has Been Moved

On Sunday, January 10, 2016 several Train Garden volunteers helped to move the Train Garden from Engine House # 41 to its storage area at Our Lady of Pompei Church. The volunteers were Chris, Dennis, Terry, Scott E., Joe, Adam, and Wesley.

The Highlandtown Train Garden Had a Very Successful Year

The Highlandtown Train Garden has its most successful year regarding sponsorships, donations, and visitors. Sponsorships totaled $4,850, donations totaled $5,105.45, and the total number of visitors  was 5,985 which included 1,053 students from neighboring area schools. As a result, the Train Garden volunteers will use this money to create an exciting and creative Train Garden for 2016. Hope to see you there!

Winners of the Highlandtown Train Garden Raffle

Pictured below are Jim Seay and Sara Ingram. They are the  winners of the raffle drawn at the Highlandtown Train Garden on Sunday, January 3, 2016 - the Train Garden's last day. They picked up their prizes on Friday, January 15 at the Train Garden storage area at Our Lady of Pompei Catholic Church.

Jim is the President of Premier Rides and Sara is the Director of Sales and Marketing.

The Highlandtown Train Garden Has A New Record

The Highlandtown Train Garden has has more visitors this year than in any other previous 6 years. Last year a total of 4274 visitors saw the Train Garden. This year as of Saturday, December 26 a total of 4968 persons have come to see.it. And there are still 8 more days before the Train Garden closes this year.

Students From Surrounding Schools Visit the Train Garden

Students from schools # 47, #215, #237, John Ruhrah # 228, Archbishop Borders, the Patterson Park Public Charter School and St. Casimir visited the Train Garden on December 8, 10, 15, 16, and 17. The students ranged from preK to 5th Grade. Actually a total of 1053 students saw the Train Garden this year. Below are two pictures showing their enthusiasm and wonder at the Train Garden.

Jacques Kelly Makes A Visit to the Highlandtown Train Garden

On Wednesday, November 25, Jacques Kelly, the well-known columnist for the Baltimore Sun, visited the Highlandtown Train Garden. There he spoke to train garden volunteers Joe Manfre and Terry Maillar. He took many pictures and reminisced about the tradition of train gardens in the area. His article about the Highlandtown Train Garden appeared in the Baltimore Sun on Saturday, November 28, 2015.  Below is the link to the article.

In Highlandtown, All Aboard to Renew Baltimore's Train Garden Love Affair

The Highlandtown Train Garden is on the Move

On Saturday, November 21, 2015 the Highlandtown Train Garden was moved from its storage space at Pompei to Engine House # 41. There for several days the engineers prepared the train garden for its opening on Saturday, November 28. Many hours of hard work have created a fascinating and community-oriented train garden. Please stop by to see it. For more information visit our web site - www.highlandtowntraingarden.com.