World’s Largest Model Railroad

Over 8 Miles of Track!

Northlandz model railroad in New Jersey, not far from New York City, is known as the world’s largest model railroad.

With over 8 miles of HO track and the capability of running over 100 trains at once, it is hard to imagine anyone building a larger one.

Constructed over many years it is open to the public along with  doll museum and other collections at the site.

There is a video of the train set at the end of this post. Meanwhile enjoy the pictures courtesy of the Daily Mail.

Even big kids would struggle to outgrow the world’s largest model railway.

Northlandz model railroad, in Flemington, New Jersey, was painstakingly constructed by hand and took 16 years to complete.

Bruce Williams Zaccagnino started the project as a hobby in his basement with the help of his wife Jean before opening its doors to the public as a tourist attraction in 1997.

Northlandz model railroad, in Flemington, New Jersey, was painstakingly constructed by hand and took 16 years to complete

Northlandz model railroad, in Flemington, New Jersey, was painstakingly constructed by hand and took 16 years to complete

LIfe's work: It took creator Bruce Williams Zaccagnino 16 years to finally bring his dream of Northlandz - the world's biggest model railway - to life

Life’s work: It took creator Bruce Williams Zaccagnino 16 years to finally bring his dream of Northlandz – the world’s biggest model railway – to life

The model railway has an impressive 100 trains, 400 bridges and more than nine miles of track, as well as 3,000 miniature buildings that make up idyllic miniature towns and villages.

There are also 50,000 streets and 40ft bridges spanning across vast canyons, all of which Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted on his own.

He said: ‘There’s just nothing else like it. Visitors come out saying it’s one of the wonders of the world.

‘I think people might be put off because they think it is just about model trains, but it is so much more than that.

Bruce Williams Zaccagnino started the project as a hobby in his basement with the help of his wife Jean before opening its doors to the public

The model boasts an impressive 100 trains, 400 bridges and more than nine miles of track as well as 3,000 miniature buildings

There are 50,000 streets and 40ft bridges spanning across vast canyons, all of which Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted on his own

There are 50,000 streets and 40ft bridges spanning across vast canyons, all of which Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted on his own

The hit attraction was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest model of its kind in the world

The hit attraction was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest model of its kind in the world

Bruce Williams Zaccagnino said most of the scenes are representative of places in the world where you would see trains such as a Swiss village or big city

Bruce Williams Zaccagnino said most of the scenes are representative of places in the world where you would see trains such as a Swiss village or big city

According to Bruce Williams Zaccagnino visitors describe the model railway as one of the wonders of the world
Historic: The model railway aims to show the history of the railroads across the U.S. through the years with famous scenes

Historic: The model railway aims to show the history of the railroads across the U.S. through the years with famous scenes

Some people say the model railway is better than the Grand Canyon according to Mr Zaccagnino who spent 16 years building the railway

Some people say the model railway is better than the Grand Canyon according to Mr Zaccagnino who spent 16 years building the railway

‘Most of the scenes are representative of places in the world where you would see trains – such as a Swiss village or a big city.

‘And part of it also shows the history of railroads across the U.S. through the years – with famous scenes including when they connected the East and West Coasts.

‘If I could, I’d love to see it all for the first time. People have come in and told me it’s better than the Grand Canyon – I wish I could experience that.’

The hit attraction was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest model of its kind in the world – with competition from Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany.

Attention to detail: This part of the nine mile track depicts a snowy scene with trees lining a town which the railway runs through

Wonderful: Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted the railway on his own over 16 years

Wonderful: Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted the railway on his own over 16 years

Mr Zaccagnino said people might be put off because they think it is just about model trains but it is so much more than that

Mr Zaccagnino said people might be put off because they think it is just about model trains but it is so much more than that

Part of the model railway shows the history of railroads across the U.S. through the years - with famous scenes including when they connected the East and West Coasts

Part of the model railway shows the history of railroads across the U.S. through the years – with famous scenes including when they connected the East and West Coasts

Intricate: Northlandz, in Flemington, New Jersey, was painstakingly constructed by hand by Bruce Williams Zaccagnino

Intricate: Northlandz, in Flemington, New Jersey, was painstakingly constructed by hand by Bruce Williams Zaccagnino

The largest bridges span 40ft across vast canyons which were designed by Mr Zaccagnino who began building the railway 16 years ago

The largest bridges span 40ft across vast canyons which were designed by Mr Zaccagnino who began building the railway 16 years ago

Delicate: Northlandz is a 16 acre world class attraction developed by Bruce and his wife Jean

Delicate: Northlandz is a 16 acre world class attraction developed by Bruce and his wife Jean

Popular tourist attraction: Along with the art, music and doll displays, outdoors you will find an 1890s replica narrow gauge steam train

Popular tourist attraction: Along with the art, music and doll displays, outdoors you will find an 1890s replica narrow gauge steam train

There are also 50,000 streets and 40 foot bridges spanning across vast canyons, all of which Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted on his own

There are also 50,000 streets and 40 foot bridges spanning across vast canyons, all of which Mr Zaccagnino designed and painstakingly handcrafted on his own

Bruce Williams Zaccagnino started the project as a hobby in his basement with the help of his wife Jean

Bruce Williams Zaccagnino started the project as a hobby in his basement with the help of his wife Jean

Tunnels and intricate bridges are everywhere crossing each other on multiple levels

Tunnels and intricate bridges are everywhere crossing each other on multiple levels

The sky's the limit: The model railway is made up city scenes as well as countryside landscapes designed by Mr Zaccagnino

The sky’s the limit: The model railway is made up city scenes as well as countryside landscapes designed by Mr Zaccagnino

The model railways boasts an impressive 100 trains, 400 bridges and more than nine miles of track, as well as 3,000 miniature buildings that make up idyllic miniature towns and villages

Video shows the scope of this Railroad.

 

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