A Chicago family has turned their backyard into a miniature railway village, a project that began as a small family passion and developed over more than two decades. [1]
The Rustemeyer family's project, located in the Norwood Park neighborhood, occupies almost the entire garden area and allows seven miniature trains to run simultaneously. Initiated in the late 1990s by grandfather William, the hobby was taken up and expanded by his daughter Judy and the rest of the family, becoming an intergenerational tradition. [1]
In addition to the railway line, the miniature village includes shops, stations, human figures, a water tower, and even a cemetery, framed by flowers and roses. The family holds an annual open house day, usually on Independence Day, attracting between 100 and 150 visitors, while during winter, the trains can continue running equipped with miniature snowplows. [1]
The family has lived in the same house since 1971 and actively participates in model railroad clubs such as the Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club, founded in 1947. However, Judy Rustemeyer expresses concern that the hobby is losing interest among young people due to rising material costs and inflation. The family hopes that opening the garden to the public will encourage other enthusiasts to start their own projects. [1]
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