Northlandz is a must-see if you are a railfan, either casual or highly dedicated. The last time I was here, I wasn't even a teenager yet. I came back, older and wiser at the age of 32, and the wonder I felt was like my first time all over again.
Children will be impressed and amazed at the dizzying array of trains and miniatures, but adults will be awe-struck by the sheer beauty and scale of the craft.
From the outside, you may think you have a decent grasp on the scale and size of the interior, but the layout of the museum takes you on a long and winding journey through incredible scenery and craftsmanship, walking here and there along the path, and there always seems to be more.
The attention to detail, the little quirks of the exhibits, and the interesting and creative scenes, all tell a story. Every single place feels lived in, as though you are a giant, looking down into the lives of these fanciful locations.
Whether its small rural towns, an impressive bustling city skyline, or a dizzying array of industrial tracks, buildings, and equipment, your imagination can run wild as you picture how everything must work, envisioning the goings on in every single display.
Though some of the displays are showing their age, and repairs obviously must be made here and there, I felt that it added to the charm of the whole experience. These tiny little peeks through the cracks that reminded you that this entire place was built by hand, that it was crafted meticulously and lovingly, to build something truly amazing.
I'll not soon forget the feeling of awe when I turned one of the first corners and was able to see down a long canyon, taller than myself, which stretched on as far as I could see, with running trains and bridges through it, letting you know right off the bat, that you are not just going to see little trains in villages like you might find in your rich uncle's basement. You are going to see an entire world.
Just when I felt that this first massive canyon was impressive enough, the exhibits continued to impress and grow larger and more expansive. Binoculars are recommended, or at least a camera with a good zoom. Yes, there really are parts of the tour so vast, you cannot see all the details from where you are standing.
But don't worry, sure enough, you will find yourself on the other side, or at different vantage points of most of the larger exhibits, able to take everything in from all angles.
The only downside I could possibly mention is that I'd have likes to have seen more model steam engines, but those may be difficult to maintain, given their increase in moving parts. And also the outdoor train ride, while pleasant, was extra grindy and noisy when I went on it. It's expected that trains will squeal when rounding corners, but the metal on metal caused the coach to vibrate and groan quite a lot. This could be due to the cold weather of the season when I attended, or possibly even the old age of the railway and engine, as I am sure this is the original engine I rode when I was a child.
With that said, I would love to see the train and it's tracks maintained and renovated to a better state one day, as Northlandz surely deserves it.
To top it all off, I picked up a Northlandz branded HO-scale caboose and boxcar, something to add to my own personal train set back home. Quite possibly the most clever and functional piece of gift shop memorabilia I've ever seen at any attraction.
Absolutely go to Northlandz. This place deserves your attention, and is worthy of preservation. The pictures attached here do NOT properly convey the scale and beauty of the museum.
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