Story: You Don't Have to Love Trains to Love Northlandz by Maureen Bruschi

Take a whimsical journey through Northlandz in Flemington, New Jersey and experience the world’s largest model railroad, a 94-room dollhouse, a 450-seat music hall, a doll museum, and an art gallery—all under one roof.

Northlandz’s Great American Railway includes 35 foot mountains, 300 to 400 bridges, and approximately 125 locomotives and 10,000 railway cars running on 8 miles of track. As you travel along walkways that take you under, over and around the railway, you’ll pass La Peep Dollhouse, a mansion complete with an indoor swimming pool, a ballroom with a doggie-band, a two story library and much more. Listen to the Music Hall’s 3,100 pipe organ played throughout the day on weekends. Stroll through The Doll Museum which includes more than 200 collectable dolls from around the world. Enjoy over 250 paintings and works of art at a number of art galleries located throughout the 52,000 square foot-complex.

Northlandz’s creator, Bruce Williams Zaccagnino is also an accomplished musician (he is one of several who plays the 3,100 pipe organ). He swears he’s never traveled on a train. But his creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to art, music, history and model railways are evident throughout Northlandz.

As you wander the passageways of Northlandz’s miniature world, you’ll enjoy Mr. Zaccagnino’s style of storytelling and humor, as he blends railway and American history with a touch of fantasy. Trains whip through tunnels, cling to the sides of mountains, ramble over suspension bridges – and pass by some pretty unique places.

You’ll want to examine the Hoj Poj Factory complex, the world’s only manufacturer of pasta lined thimbles. Steam engines chug by an official outhouse manufacturing company and cut through a genuine ghost town with 4 hidden ghosts. Along the way make sure you check out the world’s only toothpick farm.

Around each bend you’ll find Mr. Zaccagnino’s imagination at work. Intricate details are his trademark, from Swiss villages, Bavarian castles, a mountain top monastery, roadside carnivals, the world’s tiniest rain forest, to a realistic train wreck and mountainside plane crash. Rosco’s Junkyard announces, “You break it, we take it.” Discover the busy town of Eisleyville, population 27 with 26 major manufacturing companies.

Mr. Zaccagnino and his wife started what would become Northlandz over 25 years ago in the basement of their home. Today, Northlandz is a 16 acre world class attraction.

In addition to Northlandz, Flemington has plenty to offer. Shop at Flemington’s Liberty Village Premium Outlets, (One Church Street, 908-782-8550) the country’s very first outlet village. Wander through a colonial-styled village that houses over fifty of the most popular designer stores.

It’s easy and inexpensive to explore historic Flemington. A self-walking tour down Main Street highlights a fascinating mix of Italianate, Colonial, Greek and Victorian architecture (www.historicflemington.com/pdf/walking_tour.pdf).

Enjoy Flemington’s fine restaurants that include American, International and Contemporary cooking. If you’re looking for an Italian dish, try Ciao Luigi at 32 Fulper Road (908) 806-0595. Fusion Restaurant at 123 Main Street (908) 788-7772, offers French and Asian cuisine. California Grill, Routes 202 and 31 (908) 806-7141, features innovative and creative dishes.

When you go:

Location: Northlandz is approximately 1 hour west of New York City, off I-287S at Exit 17. Follow Route 202S for about 10 miles to 495 Highway 202S, Flemington.
Phone: (908) 782-4022
Website: www.northlandz.com
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10:30am – 5:30pm; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
10:30am – 4:00pm; Closed Tuesday year round except for Christmas week
Admission: Adults $13.75; Children (2-12) $9.75; Children under 2 – Free; Senior Citizens
$12.50

Where to Stay:

Main Street Manor, 194 Main Street, Flemington (www.mainstreetmanor.com/) (908) 782-4928 or the Hampton Inn Flemington, 14-B Royal Road (908) 284-9427.