|  LGB
Model Train Display
Model trains became a part of The Living Desert in 1998 during
the annual WildLights holiday program from the day after Thanksgiving
until the New Year. Initially, it was decided that although the
trains would operate only in the evenings as part of WildLights,
basic layout of track would remain in place; only the trains and
buildings would be stored. However, because of the popularity of
the display, the trains started running full time during the regular
park hours beginning January 1, 2001. The trains are referred to
as "G" scale, which is approximately ½ inch to
the foot or 1:22.5 inches, about twice the size of Lionel trains.
Although not the largest model scale train, it is the most popular
"large scale" train. The locomotives, rolling stock, track,
switches and most of the equipment are made by LGB. In fact, the
letters "LGB" stand for Lehmann Gross Bahn or Lehmann's
Big Train.
 LGB,
the world's first "G-scale" train, was born in 1968. However,
the family history of LGB goes back to 1881, when Ernst Paul Lehmann
founded a small toy-making company in Brandenburg, Germany. Lehmann
had a keen eye for new ideas and his"patent" toys, like
the honking Tut Tut auto and flying Ikarus airplane, soon gave "Ernest
Paul Lehmann Patentwerk" a worldwide reputation for toy innovation.
Ernst Paul Lehmann's cousin, Johannes Richter, joined the company
in 1921 and built on Lehmann's reputation with patented toys like
the ingenious Skirolf skier. After the East German government seized
the company in 1948, Richter moved his family and the firm to Nurnberg
in the West. Then, 20 years later, Richter's sons, Eberhard and
Wolfgang, introduced the family's boldest invention: LGB- The Big
Train. Today, Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk is still family owned
with Eberhard and Wolfgang's sons, Johannes and Rolf, at the helm.
The LGB family also includes the many dedicated employees at the
Lehmann's home in Nurnberg and at LGB of America in San Diego, California.
They craft LGB trains using the latest in computer aided design,
precision machining processes and robotic production techniques.
Together, the LGB family has over 100 years of experience creating
innovative products and serving demanding customers. LGB trains
are one of the best selling big trains in the world.
Living Desert volunteers built the railroad along with the world's
longest wooden "G" scale trestle measuring 202 feet and
8 inches. However, it was not intended to set a record. It was designed
for the same reasons the real ones are. Our trestle allows the trains
to negotiate the drop of almost 2 feet between the upper and lower
portions of the wash where it was built. The grade is just under
1% or 1 inch in every 100 inches. The entire trestle is constructed
from redwood, glued and stapled at all joints.
Currently there are more than 3,000 feet of track laid. With six
different loops of track, each varying from 150 feet to over
900 feet long, the railroad has grown to an acre. The mainline
train travels on 980 feet of track and runs through Old Indio,
past the Grand Canyon and along side the mining and logging areas.
The trains are driven into a workshop each night, measuring approximately
12 x 42 feet. They are checked for any necessary repairs, cleaned,
and made ready for the next day.
The trains operate from 0-18 volts of DC electricity by going through
the rails, picked up by the wheels on the locomotive and on to the
motors. The larger locomotives have two motors while the smaller
ones have only one. The amount of electricity used for one train
is about the same as a 25-watt light bulb. All the trains and track
along with the buildings are property of The Living Desert.
The trains are designed to be operational during wet and windy
conditions but are generally kept in storage until better weather.
From June 16 to October 1, the trains exhibit is shut down for maintenance,
construction and cleaning.
Train
displays that are currently running are historic scenes such as
Mount Rushmore, a California logging and mining town, the south
rim of the Grand Canyon with a scale model of the El Tovar Hotel
and Southwest US cliff dwellings. The Old Indio
train station depicts the early days of railroading here in the
Coachella Valley from about 1875 to the mid 1950's. If not for
railroads, our country could not have achieved what we did in
the short time the railroads have been around. Just about everything
we touch today has been at one time on the rails of our country.
The all-weather proof portable control center allows us
to operate and monitor the location of all the trains operating
in the Western, Logging, and Mining sections from one central
location. The Living Desert intends to expand and improve the
layout each year. Major landscaping along with a drip system
to support the live plants that will control dust, erosion and
enhance the railroad is being added.
 With
one full time Living Desert staff member and a crew of 25 volunteers,
the railroad will continue to grow, running 7 days a week with at
least seven trains running continuously on the layout. Alongside
the animal exhibits and botanical gardens at The Living Desert,
this unique display has become a visitor favorite.
Volunteers and enthusiasts are always welcome to participate.
The current volunteers are not part of any one club or group. They
are individuals who love the art of the model railroad. No experience
or particular skill is necessary. If you would like to find out
more about volunteering and playing with fun model trains, just
contact The Living Desert at 760-346-5694, ext. 2651.
To learn more about how to Adopt A Train at The Living Desert,
click here.
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