Franklin Park Conservatory’s Paul Busse Garden Railway back for expanded exhibition

If you didn’t get a chance to see the Paul Busse Garden Railway during its inaugural exhibition at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, don’t worry: You’ll have a whole three extra months to figure out a time to go. 

The exhibit will return to the Conservatory April 2 and be on view through Jan. 9, according to a recent release. Like the name suggests, the exhibit will include a variety of botanical themes, including Fairytale Land, Wild West Town, European Travels, and Who Lives Here. Nine G-scale model trains will traverse 1,122 feet of track that weaves through unique landscapes featuring an enchanted tree hollow, waterfalls, and even a brook.

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The exhibit comes courtesy of Paul Busse and the staff of Applied Imagination, Ltd., who collected all-natural plant material to construct over 50 botanical models. Select sections of the exhibit were donated by the Wolfe family in memory of John F. Wolfe.

And since the exhibit will be on view for so long, the landscapes will change with the seasons. Visitors will find the railway dotted with color from colorful blooms from now through summer. Once fall comes, pumpkins and gourds will pop up. This winter, visitors will find the railway decked out with holiday lights. 

Visitors can see the exhibit with general admission to the Conservatory from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during the special engagements time period after 5 p.m. on select evenings. 

For more information, visit fpconservatory.org.

Like this? Read “Blooms & Butterflies” returns later this month.

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