2005 NATIONAL GARDEN RAILWAY CONVENTION CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

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Our first layout visits were the pre-convention tours in Wisconsin on Monday.  The weather was iffy that day, and while we were visiting this well-detailed layout, the hostess was still setting up figures.  Here a couple guys are splitting wood near the pumpkin stand.

One of the Wisconsin layouts was built in the front yard.  The host is showing us his new Soo Line train and a pair of Mallets.  His brother-in-law runs a landscaping business and delivers dirt and rocks on a regular basis, then brings over a Bobcat to help with all the shovelling and rock-moving work!

We had to wait out a thunderstorm and as the weather cleared we visited one more layout. Here the fishermen are trying out their brand new fishing rods at the bait shop.

Once the Convention started, we had to deal with the crowds.  Here we see a two busloads of people trying to see a layout at once.  Usually when a bus pulled up, we left.

One of the nicest layouts we saw was this one in the north suburbs.  There was a large pond with waterfall and several smaller ponds, with excellent landscaping and lots of flowers.

At the same layout as above, here is the castle and the gardens within its walls.

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