2018 Holiday Magic Garden Railroad Display Prepares to Open

Once again, the Charles Paddock Zoo has invited the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society to construct and operate a large scale train layout during the zoo’s popular “Holiday Magic” event on Saturday, 15-Dec-2018 from 11:00 AM though 2:00 PM.

Last year, zoo guests were overwhelmingly excited with the debut of a garden railroad as part of the holiday family event. Zoo Director, Alan Baker, has been receiving inquiries from guests about when the garden railroad would return. That time is now!

0-4-0 green locomotive model passes train station with water tank in background
This season’s first test train slows on the station siding on the Holiday Magic layout on display at the Charles Paddock Zoo (Atascadero, CA) (M. Edwards, image)

Special thanks to Walt Wajda, Dennis Cementina and Mark Edwards for their contributions of time, talent and resources related to this display. Additionally, Jim Davis provided many of the buildings and details that help bring the layout to life. 

CCCGRS members are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the Holiday Magic event. This year, as an added bonus, CCCGRS members have the opportunity to operate their own trains on the layout during normal zoo operating hours through Sunday, 06-Jan-2019.  Those interested should email contact@cccgrs.org for scheduling and more details.