Holiday Traditions, Railroad Department

[SSScout 1616]

Here 'bouts in the Bawlmer Marlyn area, we have a tradition known as a "putze", from the German for "set" or "install". Also called "Train Gardens", they are often elaborate model train displays set up by private citizens, shopping malls , fire departments or auto body shops. Anything from 1890s towns to Smurf villages to frigate sea battles are modeled with a model train as a tie in (don't say 'toy' train!! ...shiver...). Ever see the USS Enterprise launch jets over an express train? Miniature circus next to the Daylight Limited? Movement and fun are the OOO and AAAHH factors here.

Here's a listing in our area, if you're in the neighborhood, check 'em out. Steamed crabs are optional......

http://www.wvmgrs.org/

click on "Grandpa's Holiday Train Garden Page"

 

 

[OldGreyEagle 5]

Oddly enough, a Putz (long U) is also a Moravian Tradition

 

http://www.easthillsmc.org/putz.html

 

That's the CO of the Unit I serve

[NJCubScouter 1389]

Of course, in Yiddish (which, after all, is mostly a dialect or offshoot of German) that word (with a short u) means something else entirely. Actually several something elses depending on whether it is being used literally or figuratively, but none of them have anything to do with model trains.

[SSScout 1616]

Ja, ja, ja, stimmt das...

 

serves me right for not checking in mein worterbuch...

 

..."ornament, trimmings, adornment..."

usw.

 

nicht "putsch".

[OldGreyEagle 5]

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet, those are some cool train set ups no matter what they call them

[infoscouter 11]

An enthusiast who combines Scouting and model trains can add a Scouting dimension to their layout this year:

 

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Finder/SearchResults.cfm?doAction=search&Keywords=%22boy+scout%22&CategoryID=&Gauge=&RailLineID=&CatalogID=&CollectionID=&searchWithin=Current