Tour The World As Garden Railway Opens At Morris Arboretum

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Morris Arboretum's Garden Railway opens Saturday, May 25th and runs through Labor Day, including Thursday evenings in summer when the choo-choos chug until 8pm. The quarter-mile track trails through a garden world created entirely of natural materials - not just branch bridges, and twig trestles but complete miniature architectural masterpieces including many Philadelphia landmarks and this year, world wonders like The Great Wall of China, the Sphinx, the Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triomphe!

Examine this photo of the Haghia Sophia of Istanbul to try and figure out how they make minarets from birch bark and hickory hulls; domes from gourds, windows with lotus, eucalyptus and mahogany pods along with acorn caps; create columns of banana stems entwined with honeysuckle vines, and your family may be inspired to make mini mansions from stuff in your own backyard, to use in a home train set or as a beautiful birdhouse.

To explore it all up close, head to the Morris Arboretum to see for yourself.