Hi N.J./N.Y. guys n’ gals. I grew up near a "miniature world/model railroad attraction just west (I think) on route 46 of Wayne, N.J. I went there several times as a child and I believe it’s gone now. I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the place or where it was exactly. (I’m thinking W. of the Willow Brook Shopping Mall?)
Thanks if anyone knows or remembers. I saw a model of “Rutt’s Hut” (Clifton, N.J. home of the “cremator”
hot dog on some ones’ lay out and it got me thinking…
This it?
Mmmmm…Rutts Hutt! I’ll take two burned with mustard and onion![dinner]
I also remember a RR attraction as a child, but I think it was in PA. It was very large & I believe “o” gauge & had several operating features. There was also a hotel nearby that was noted for fine down home food. The attraction was Roadside America. Jerry
Hi loathar,
Thanks for researching! The place I’m thinking of did indeed have a mixture of many attractions like this place does. I seem to remember doll houses and maybe some German or Bavarian stuff too.
Unfortunately this guy (Bruce) started this attraction about 25 years ago and the place I’m thinking of
is much older probably dating back to at least the sixties maybe even the 50’s.
It IS possible it was on Route 22 or 202 rather than 46 though…
Did you research Rutt’s Hutt online or have you been there? It’s STILL there alright and have a fun homepage. Health food at it’s finest! I actually think one of the biker-ish guys standing in line in one
of the photos is my best friend from H.S. in the late '60s! Come to think of it, that photo gallery might have been from whomever modeled R.H. on their layout…
I’ll keep searching online too to see if I can find the minature world attraction but so far no luck. If I find
what it was/is I’ll post back.
Cheers!
Edit/addition: Hi Jerry. Mine was definitely N.J. in fact it’s in Northern N.J. within about 50 miles of N.Y.C.
I can’t find anything about it so it seems to be gone.
I believe Northlandz has moved from it’s original location to the one in the link I gave you. SteamFreak might be able to better answer your question. He lives up that way and I think he said he did some work on the Northlandz layout.
I installed some equipment at a printing company down the street from Rutts. (Sandy Alexander printing??) Ate more than my share of fried dogs while I was there.[:D] The Food Network did a special on hot dog joints across the country and Rutt’s was one they featured. Brought back memories seeing it again.
Northlandz was in his home prior to the building on rt 206. You may be thinking of Roadside America which is in PA someplace in Amish country. My [2c]
This sounds like Roadside America although, this is pretty far west of the NJ boarder off route 78 in Shartlesville PA. Northlandz is in NJ on 202 but pretty close to New Hope PA.
Peter Smith, Memphis
I recalled some MR (or RMC) article covering Roadside America, that was my first thought, but thats a big no to the Northlandz thingy. Looks pretty cool based on the website.
Northlandz was a featured article in the September 1997 issue of MR. For those who like to attribute whimsey to the work of John Allen or Malcolm Furlow, they would certainly have conniption fits if they visited Northlandz. I found it to be a visually impressive fantasy with a touch of the dark side. My grandkids loved it.
Peter Smith, Memphis
Northlandz is NOT on Route 46!
Correction:
Northlandz is on Route 202 just north of the Flemington circle.
Background:
The previous version that was in Bruce’s multiple basements was called the Flemington Central & Navigation Company Railway. That was a true operating layout. There was a ‘club’ of ops that would come in to run operating sessions and the once a year open house he used to have.
I know the Chicago musium of science and industry has a huge model railroad with viewer activated railside activity
…and which, unfortunately, is no place near NY/NJ as the original poster asked.
Does Bruce still have his home layout?
Yes but if you take route 80 from Chicago to NJ you can stop off at Altoona and the PA RR museum at the Horseshoe Curve on the way. If you then take a detour on 81 south you can turn east on 78 and also visit Roadside America. from there, route 202, Northlandz and New Hope where there is a 2-8-0 tourist train is easy as cake and a piece of pie. Other options are Stroudsburg if by pass 81 and take 80 all the way.
Peter Smith, Memphis
We were on our way out east from Chicago last year and I had remembered that Northlandz was somewhere not far off our beaten path. Pulled alongside the road, googled it on my laptop and noticed it was not far off the interstate. This place was amazing. We met the owner, he was wonderful to us and we pretty much had the place to ourselves for about two hours. He even offered to stay open past closing to accomadate us. I bet the mountains on the layout were 30 ft or so. It’s the biggest layout I ever seen in person. The only other layout I think comes close is the one in Germany. The Chicago Museum of Science and Industy doesn’t even come close in size. Defintely stop by if you get the chance. Well woth the stop.
202 - 206 - Hey, I’m old - give me a break!! [:-^]
Northlandz IS his home layout. Some of the bridges, a couple of the scenes and that pipe organ are direct transplants from his old one. I believe he and his family actually live in the back of the building, although don’t quote me on that one.
What has been driving me nuts this whole thread and I can’t remember exactly the town it was in, but north of the Flemington circle on what I believe is Route 31 (it’s the next exit off the circle after Rt. 202 if you’re going towards Northlandz) there was a rather large building with all kinds of miniature displays that also contained trains. It’s been long closed now.
Now let’s talk quality.