SFX Whistle Music Tracks Ahead Brought to you by Rancho de Tia Rosa, a Mexican restaurant serving the Phoenix area since 1990.

Raildreams, a designer and builder of custom model railroads since 1994.

Hi, I'm Spencer Christian.

On this episode of Tracks Ahead, we'll take several unique Japanese rail lines to get to Hakone National Park.

We'll look in on a re-creation of a 1960's railroad in southern Californiaand we'll visit with Gil Bennett, the heir apparent to noted railroad artist, Howard Fogg.

Let's venture into America's heartland, where we'll find an impressive display, dedicated to - what else?

- railroading.

It's right along I-75, and it's worth a stop.

Annc: What bonafide railfan could resist an attraction that bills itself as the world's largest train display?

Located just north of Cincinnati, Ohio, we are about to discover the amazing world of EnterTrainment Junction.

This 80,000 square foot, re-purposed warehouse is emerging as one of the nation's top attractions for model railroading fans and their families as well.

Don: Four years ago the idea came to me from a friend in our garden railway club society.

And you know, when he mentioned it I said It couldn't be done.

And as time went I started to think about it some more and the idea was to find the right place, the right location.

The idea was to create an environment like a family entertainment center to attract all kinds of visitors.

Not just the train lovers, but to attract everybody.

As you come into the facility, one of the things you'll notice is a streetscape.

Sort of taken out of Disney, and that is to create the environment where you're in a different world.

In addition to what you see here which we have the elements are basically on the EnterTrainment Journey, the layout itself as you walk through time.

We have a museum, American railroading museum which basically is showing you how railroads affected our lives in America.

We have a 5,000 square foot Imagination Junction playground which is interactive for the kids.

We also have an expo center which currently is being used for the volunteers workshop so you can watch them build.

Eventually that'll become a toy train museum also.

Annc: But the real heart of EnterTrainment Junction is the breathtaking G scale layout.

Covering 25,000 square feet and reaching heights of a two story building, the layout allows visitors to experience more than a century of railroading's colorful history.

Don: We have three actually time eras that you go through.

As you walk in, you'll have the early period of railroading.

We're showing the 1860s through the 1900s.

Then you'll actually walk through tunnels and through some of the mountains and you'll go into the middle period where we have street cars, an interurban, steam locomotives.

Then as you pass through the middle times, you'll go into the modern where we have subways and diesels.

In the early period of railroading we have a civil war basically Union camp, where we have an artillery depot.

We've got a river town along the river, with a wharf.

We have a logging switchback that works.

And as you go through we also have a coke oven, several small towns.

And then when you go into the middle period we have an industrial section.

Basically a city of the 40's, a coal mining town of the 40's, and we also have a yard, a working yard that would be typical in the 40's also.

In the modern period we have a subway, we have a modern rail yard, along with a modern city and some industrial sites also.

We've actually got mountains that go thugh.

You actually walk through the tunnels, the aisleway.

There's seven hundred feet of pathways, and as you travel we wanted to put the guest in the, inside the experience, sort of like A Small World, and everything is around you.

All the mountains, all the buildings are larger than your eyesight so you never know what's around the next bend.

Annc: Any facility this large must have taken a great deal of technical know-how and a huge amount of labor to complete.

We asked trainmaster Larry Koehl how he pulled it off.

Larry: Well, we have over 100 volunteers who have contributed to the building of the layout.

And these volunteers have done everything from doing roadbed and track and building buildings and bridges and doing scenery and making trees.

Everything that goes into making a model railroad, the volunteers have been doing.

We are all G scalers.

All garden railroaders.

But the manufacturers are producing trains now that are such high quality.

They're quality models.

And they go equally well indoors as out.

And as we get older, the heat and cold gets to us.

Getting up and down off the ground gets to us.

And we thought wouldn't it be nice to build a large railroad in a climate controlled situation where you could stand up and work on it.

Annc: This is indeed a model railroader's dream.

With more than 2 miles of track and nearly 90 locomotives in operation, EnterTrainment Junction offers more running trains than most of us would normally see in a lifetime.

Larry: All the major manufacturers of G scale trains are represented in this layout.

We have anything that's available on the market.

Steam locomotives of all kinds.

Diesels.

And these are all divided up in the three historical areas.

They fit very nicely.

So anything you would want in the way of trains, we have running on the layout.

We have Aristrocraft, we have USA trains, we have Bachmann, and we have Hartland.

And we even have a little bit of LGB.

There is no centralized control center as such.

Each track, and there are over 40 of them, are controlled by their own computerized controls.

And these are distributed throughout the layout.

The features that make this facility unique are not only the big train layout, but also the meeting and party rooms, we cater to kids birthday parties.

We have food, we have a hobby shop.

We have a children's activity area.

And we have a great train expo area which will feature train layouts in all the popular model railroading scales.

We also have the museum of American Railroading.

Because our mission is to educate in addition to entertain, we thought the museum would be a logical addition.

And the purpose of the museum is to show the role of railroading in American History and what affect it has had on this great nation.

Don: I've always enjoyed trains, and this is a way to basically let everyone experience the trains and enjoy the trains.

I know train lovers are going to come, but I wanted to build something that would attract all people.

Grandmothers, kids adults, you know, anybody that's out there will enjoy coming to this family entertainment center.

Annc: For a century and a half, railroads have been an essential part of the American scene.

We're grateful to the folks at EnterTrainment Junction for providing a truly delightful way to experience this technology.

Be sure to stop in, as the exhibit is ever changing.

The Southern Pacific Railroad Corporation was incorporated in California in 1865.

It was a major railroad carrier throughout its life, but was absorbed by the Union Pacific in 1996.

Well known for its colorful passenger trains, it's back in operation once again, but on a slightly smaller scale.

Annc: Authenticity and attention to detail are the hallmarks of top quality model railroad layouts.

You'd have to travel long and far to find anyone who does it better than Bruce Petty.

In Bruce's Northern California home he has meticulously created a replica of a section of the Los Angeles operation of the Southern Pacific Railroad as it was in the mid 1960s.

Bruce: The layout represents basically my childhood years or my youth .

teenage years in Burbank, Burbank Junction, Van Nuys, to N. Hollywood, the branch line.

And it's something I could associate with very closely because I was used to hanging out at the Burbank tower which controlled the junction between the coast line and the valley line for the SP coming into Los Angeles.

And the tower operator himself was a model railroader.

That kind of also introduced me to the hobby.

My layout is built as a shelf RR, using real dirt, and it's only a few inches wide.

18" wide in the widest spot; 8½" wide in the narrowest.

I wanted to model really interesting industries that I'd seen in Los Angeles, the ones that were around in 1965.

Some of these are on the branch line, some of these are in the San Fernando Valley.

The Cyclone Fence Factory was in Glendale, California.

It was an all metal building, quite long, but I just modeled it as a low relief structure.

This is the Schiller Feed Company that was out in San Fernando, California, out in the San Fernando Valley.

I'd just gotten my driver's license when I was 18, and had driven down the Old San Fernando Road, and had taken pictures of it.

And it took me 45 year later to build it.

Annc: Bruce's quest for authenticity keeps him particularly busy when adding new stock to the layout.

Bruce: I weathered my railroad rolling stock here using latex wall paint.

It's a flat color.

And this one here is a medium brown.

It's probably the best weathering substance you could find.

You put a little bit on a brush, and mix it with water.

And I also added a little alcohol to the water to make the paint flow a little bit better on the car.

Annc: All this attention to detail may seem a bit tedious, but make no mistake about it; Bruce loves to have fun too.

He's mounted a tiny wireless TV camera in one of his box-cars that allows him to watch his trains move through the layout on a monitor, and feel as if he were a tiny passenger himself, actually riding the rails through the San Fernando Valley of the mid 1960s.

And while this may seem very high tech, Bruce claims almost any modeler can easily replicate his effort.

Bruce: This is a standard, 50 foot Athern boxcar.

I took it and made a camera car out of it by opening up a hole in the end.

This is a standard Nanny-Cam.

It has color, it has sound.

When it's running you can even get micro-sounds off the railroad track.

Annc: To go back in time over 40 years and get a sensory feel for what no longer exists is something of a miracle.

We can only marvel at the uncommon dedication and perseverance of individuals like Bruce Petty, who through their untiring efforts, have helped preserve the memories of America's great railroading history.

As with all model railroads, Bruce say's that this one will never be completed.

He is already planning to expand.

In a moment, we'll meet a professional "artistrator" who works in both oil and watercolor.

He is noted for blending the expression of the artist and the technical detail of the illustrator, and is the heir apparent to noted railroad artist Howard Fogg.

But first, we'll change gears and journey from the intensity of modern Japanese cities to the serenity of its lush countryside.

We'll climb high into the mountains of the Hakone National Park to experience spectacular views of Mount Fuji, and we'll take several of Japan's most unique railways to get there.

Music Annc: Ever since the 9th Century, the hilly hot spring town of Hakone has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.

There are enough sites to explore in the area to make it an enjoyable excursion for several days.

To fully experience the Hakone region, we take four railways, including the Red Romance car from Odawara to the Hakone Lake region, an electric line from Yumoto to Goura; a funicular from Goura to Sounzan; and finally a ropeway - or ski gondola - from Sounzan to Owakudani.

After a flight into Tokyo on Japan Airlines, the Japanese National Tourist Organization recommends that we take a half hour ride on the Shinkansen Green Line to Odawara.

There, we purchase a Hakone Free Pass.

For less than 5000 yen, this pass offers unlimited use of the Hakone Tozan Railways, as well as ships on Lake Ashi and many buses in the Hakone area.

We ride the Red Romance car on the Okakyu Line to Hakone-Yumoto station, which is at the end of the line.

This is where the trip gets more adventurous.

Using our free pass, we board the Hakone Tozan Tetsudou train to Goura.

This leg of the trip is known for its steep 8 per cent grades and very sharp curves.

The braking system includes special carborundrum brakes for emergencies.

Kuberota: The train runs over curves of 30 meters in radius.

In order to prevent wheels and track to be worn and to reduce the squeaky sound, driver operate the switch to run water over the rail.

There is a safety brake, beside ordinary brake.

It is manually operated by pushing a switch and a stone called carborundum will be pressured over the rail to stop the train.

There is a hand brake too.

In 1888, it is started as Hakone Horse wagon Railways from Kouzu to Yumoto.

It was expanded then from Hakone Yumoto to Goura in 1919.

The width gauge of Odakyu and Hakone railways are different.

We use one rail together but not the other one because Odakyu is 1067mm and Hakone Tozan is 1435mm.

Therefore Odakyu runs narrow ones and Hakone runs wider rails.

Annc: Some of the trams use vintage rolling stock.

If the first tram you get is full, you only have to wait 15 minutes to catch the next one.

Starting in a wooded valley, the Hakone Tozen tram slowly crawls up the mountain - changing directions at three switchbacks - and offers dazzling views around every corner.

The most popular season to take this trip is during June and July when the hydrangea - or ajisai - along the tracks are in full bloom.

But the scenery is breathtaking throughout the year.

Once they arrive in Goura, many adventurous travelers take the funicular to Sounsan, and then the ropeway to Owakudani.

Owakudani is known as the "Valley of Great Boiling."

It is here that you can really understand the origins of this landscape.

The entire area lies above the remains of a collapsed volcano.

Although this particular volcano has not been active for several thousand years, the strong scent of sulfur and the sight of misty plumes of steam are reminders of Japan's volcanic geology.

There are plans to extend the ropeway to Lake Ashi, where we take a boat ride on a pirate ship.

On a clear day, you can gaze up at Mount Fuji's snowy peak.

And you'll also behold the bright red floating "Tori" or gate to Hakone shrine, a majestic architectural treasure that stands as a symbol of the link between Shintoism and the natural world.

When we're back on shore, it's the perfect time to take a break to visit the Lalique Museum.

Known for his exquisite glass works and perfume bottles, Rene Lalique was a 19th Century French artist who was greatly influenced by Japanese artistic sensibilities.

Although most people are rather surprised to see such a comprehensive collection of Lalique work here, it makes a lot of sense.

In the late 1800s, when Lalique was at the height of his artistic expression, Japan was ending a long period of isolationism.

The western world became enchanted by Japanese art and architecture; Lalique was no exception.

Now known as Japonism, Japanese-influenced work had a great affect upon the belle-epoque era.

Simple natural motifs, a subtle color palette and delicate lines characterize the art glass that Lalique produced during this time.

There is a connection to railroads here, as the Museum features one of the original cars from the famous Orient Express.

Lalique designed the glass panels for this lush interior which conjures up visions of mystery and intrigue as visitors explore this place of railroad history.

A visit to the Lalique Museum offers a relaxing respite to a busy day of traveling, and puts us in the perfect state of mind to explore the Hakone Shrine, and walk along lush paths to contemplate the rich heritage of Japan's Imperial Era.

From the breathtaking natural scenery to the ancient shrines, our trip to the Hakone region is one we'll not soon forget.

Music Annc: One of the foremost railroad artists today is Gil Bennett.

In additon to watercolor and oil original paintings, Gil's work adorns calendars and board rooms across the country.

Gil started drawing and doodling when he was just two years old.

But he never really considered a career as a painter until his college years.

Studying to be an architect, Gil took a class in oil painting.

And when he found out that he needed another major, he picked Fine Arts.

To put himself through school, he would sell his homework, much to the dismay of some of his professors.

People wanted his work even then, and he eventually took a class in watercolor, in which the professor had a different idea.

Gil: I had a watercolor teacher.

A professor that taught me how to watercolor in my last year of my schooling.

and he told me, "If you can sell anything it's fine."

So I go in with my assignment, he would grade, and I'd take it to a show and sell it.

So it worked from there.

And after I graduated and got my bachelors degree and my master's degree, I went to a show in Arizona.

And a corporation CEO saw my work and ordered 30 paintings for his board members and from that time, I've been painting steadily ever since.

Annc: Gil considers his paintings to be time machines.

He is to young to have seen all the steam, and in talking to his clients, he has the opportunity to pick out what they experienced, filter it through his mind, and produce an image on canvas or water board.

And that applied even to his own father and his high school experiences with the Salt Lake Bamberger interurban line.

Gil: Well, he used to tell me about his school, and his senior "Go to Lagoon Day."

And they would take the Bamberger.

And they would all go down to the station and there were guys hanging out the windows and guys would pull down the traction arm so the train would loose power every once in a while, and the conductor was just having a heck of a time.

And something like that is a fun story and I was able to put that on canvas for him, so we have the Bamberger coming out of , going out of the station going on to third west.

All the guys were hanging out the windows, they're waving to each other.

It's something that I never witnessed myself, but had the opportunity through a brush to do that.

Annc: Early in Gil's career, he became friends with renowned railroad artist, Howard Fogg.

That friendship blosommed into career tips and instruction as Howard became Gil's mentor.

Gil: I had a good relationship with Howard Fogg.

I met him for the first time in 1984.

And from that time, he took a liking to me.

He would call me "Young Gil" when I called him on the phone.

I imagine that "Old Gil" would be Gil Reid.

So he would call me Young Gil, and every time I was over in the Denver area I would stop by and we would converse a little, either on the phone or I'd go over and watch him paint.

I asked him many questions, like, "How do you get your watercolors so they don't wrinkle the paper."

And he said, "Come down here.

Let me show you what to do."

Annc: Gil was such good friends with Howard, that upon his death, Howard's widow asked that Gil complete Howard's last painting.

About half completed, Gil was able to match Howard's work and complete the painting.

But his association didn't stop there.

Gil has acquired a reputation for repair.

Gil: And then in the later years after his death, there were people contacting me from across the United States, saying they had a Howard Fogg painting.

And something had, it had either been scratched, or, the Clodfelter Collection had been stored in an attic in North Carolina and had molded.

And so I got a call one day and they said, "Could you, is it possible to fix these?"

And I said, "Well, I'm not sure, but let's give it a try."

And so I've probably fixed about 30 or 40 Foggs.

Annc: Gil sells his material through his website, gilbennett.com, and has a line of Christmas cards.

And calendar art continues to be a popular outlet for Gil.

Gil: The calendars are a unique niche, I should say.

One calendar, they say, "Send us images."

So I send 30 or 40 images, and they pick from the images, something to go with the various seasons.

Another calendar, another company has a for their corporate office, they have the original in their corporate office, and use that image for the calendar of that year.

Annc: Gil considers his painting to be more than just a day to day job.

He considers it to be a learning experience.

Gil: Again going back to Howard Fogg.

He told me if he quit learning every time he painted, then he would quit.

And I found that to be true.

Ted Rose also said that same thing.

He said, "I learn when I paint every day."

I don't learn every day.

But occasionally where I will actually stumble across something and it makes that painting, just means something more special to me than it does for; I'm sure the client is happy with it no matter what, but it's something that changes the way that I paint.

It makes the painting more exciting.

Gil prefers oils, as he thinks that the final paintings have more punch.

That's it for this episode.

Be sure to join us next time for more, Tracks Ahead, Music Tracks Ahead Brought to you by Rancho de Tia Rosa, a Mexican restaurant serving the Phoenix area since 1990.

Walthers, manufacturer and supplier of model railroading products; serving the hobby since 1932.

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