New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR) will host a new event on Sunday, August 14, with its Garden Railroad Festival. Visitors can watch the onsite model train railroad operate on more than 1000 feet of miniature track as well as ride behind a real locomotive on the railway’s eight-mile excursion.

G-scale model trains are built to represent real trains and NHVR’s garden railway features tunnels, bridges, plants, trees, houses, churches and its own engine house. There are multiple tracks for several trains to run simultaneously and cars will be rotated throughout the ride day.

NHVR members along with members of the North Carolina Garden Railroad Society will bring Thomas and Friends™ train cars, as well as other pieces from their members’ private collections.

“Garden railroading is a hobby for many train enthusiasts and this festival is one way to get future generations interested in railroad heritage,” said Dave Chasco, NHVR marketing director and trainmaster. “Visitors will have the opportunity to ride a real train as well as see a lot of miniature ones.”

Model trains will operate in the garden railroad for the duration of the ride day. Visitors can purchase tickets for the diesel or steam trains online at www.TriangleTrain.com. Diesel trains depart at 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. and tickets cost $10/adults, $9/seniors (60+) and $7/children (2-12), under two is free. Steam tickets cost $15/adults, $14/seniors and $9/children and depart at 12:15 and 3 p.m.

County Line Sweets, Top This and Franks My Way--a hot dog wagon serving a children’s menu--will be at the rail yard along with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream of Apex and face painting by Parties & Art Adventures (1-4 p.m.).

Upcoming NHVR events include Brew ‘n’ Choo: Pizza Party on August 27, Working on the Railroad Day on September 11 and Brew ‘n’ Choo: Oktoberfest on September 24.

Learn more at www.TriangleTrain.com