Annual train show arrives at NYBG

The New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show has opened; the 2016 Holiday Season has arrived! Begun in 1992, the Train Show has become one of New York City’s must-see children’s activities during the holiday break – although it is my suspicion that the adults actually enjoy it more than the kids do.

In addition to the actual installation, there is a full range of other activities planned including ice carving, high school a cappella performances, bar car night (for those over 21 only) and movie showings. For a complete list of programs, check out www.nybg.org/hts16.

Once again, the show is designed and installed by the wonderfully talented folks at Applied Imagination (www.appliedimagination.biz/#welcome) located in Alexandria, KY. The creative genius to credit is Paul Busse who was able to turn a childhood passion for trains and the natural world into a wonderland of architectural design, texture and pattern. Despite no longer doing the actual hands-on work, he continues to direct his staff in developing new ideas. Despite the amount of time that the NYBG show demands – both in creating new pieces and installing the pieces from older shows that are carefully stored at NYBG the rest of the year - Applied Imagination mounts at least 15 other shows across the United States and one in Canada.

Buildings have been recreated from all five NYC boroughs. For those coming from Riverdale who want to prepare themselves for the visit, check out the Monument  - officially the Riverdale/ Spuyten Duyvil /Kingsbridge Memorial Bell Tower – at W. 239th St., Wave Hill House and the Van Cortlandt House, all of which are on display.

Last year, the show was redesigned to improve traffic flow within the exhibit. A tent has been added alongside the eastern wall of the Conservatory and visitors enter there through a small theater. Once inside, there is a short introductory film and the highlights are pointed out. Then, you move on to an open area with several installations in the round to better see the buildings from all angles. These are enhanced with arrangements of dried flowers. Finally you move into the Conservatory proper where the installations are sited among glorious plantings that add a fairy-tale quality to the scene. Crotons planted as if they were trees next to a building, makes an altogether different experience from one using the tiny conifers which appear elsewhere. Finally, you exit into the Palm Dome, which is normally the entrance to the Conservatory. There you see three models, all newly created –from Coney Island – standing on platforms that a few short months ago held the Amorphophallus titanium (http://riverdalepress.com/stories/By-Sura-Jeselsohn,60462?).

The show’s magic lies in the accurate rendering of well-known and historic buildings built entirely with botanical materials. The forest around Applied Imagination supplies many of the durable materials that are used. Others are sent in by admirers of Applied Imagination and collecting is also done at NYBG; the eucalyptus pods being used are collected from the Conservatory.

There is a small area set up in the rear of the tent area demonstrating how Kykuit – home of John D. Rockefeller in Sleepy Hollow, NY – was reproduced. First, blueprints have to be diligently procured from libraries or historical archives. If archival photos can be found as well, they help establish the overall “look” of the building. Together, the blueprints and the photos help form the decision about the shape, scale and the visible decorative features that need to be conserved so the building is recognizable when on display. The shape is drawn onto foamboard, cut out and glued together to make a strong base for the finishing. Only then are the botanical materials examined for their appropriateness. Sliced pine bark becomes stone blocks, grape tendrils become ornamental ironwork, magnolia leaves make up roof tiles, and dark shelf fungus become balconies. Yellow light glows from the building windows. The lighting gives nighttime visitors an altogether different experience from daytime ones. They find it much cozier.

And what is a train show without mentioning the trains? Years ago we visited the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg and I thought I had seen it all. But at NYBG there are more than 25 trains running on a half mile of track. The trains are G-scale – the largest size made for model railroads – with  tracks 1 3/4 inches apart. There are models of NY Central Railroad and Metro North. Thomas the Tank Engine flies around together with bumblebee and ladybug trains to the delight of the children.

After visiting this show, you will find yourself looking at plant structures - pods, seeds -in your gardens with a more sophisticated eye!