Aptly put, Leakin Park doesn't offer full-service restrooms, but I'm taking the kids again anyway.Painstakingly detailed steam engines. Stout, grown men straddling small-scale trains, driving my son and me around 3 miles of track. Could I find anything better to do on a Sunday afternoon?
(And it's FREE!)
Located in Woodlawn/Security in Baltimore, members of the Chesapeake & Allegheny Steam Preservation Society have built gorgeous model trains, with approx. 3 miles of track spanning across the park. Rides are offered FREE the second Sunday of each month (11:00-3:30) between April-November, weather-permitting. Honestly, if I were them, I'd barely let my grandkids ride them. They are REALLY nice.
My 3.5 year old son LOVED these trains. He named the blue engine Gordon; he even waited longer on line the second time to ride the diesel... this is a Thomas-lover's dream. They do not allow babies on laps for safety reasons, so don't take your infant if you don't have someone to leave him/her with. There were both boys and girls waiting in line ages 2-10, and they were all clamoring to get back in line when their rides were finished. We went at lunchtime in August, and our wait on line lasted about 10 minutes. They had about 4 or 5 different trains running intermittently. My son is pretty cautious, but parents sit on the upper bench, and children fit lower into the train cars, so he felt pretty secure. Plus, the trains aren't overwhelmingly noisy.
There is a small playground right near the track area as well, so kids can let off some steam ;P once they're finished riding. There were birthday parties at the picnic tables next to the track area and some musicians practicing on the lawn.
It was hot when we went, so we spent about an hour total between the train rides and the playground.
Although free, do take some money to leave in the kitty. They appreciate donations! This is not a federal/state funded operation. This is all done by steam engine aficionados. God bless them. These trains and rides are seriously one of the few things my son asks to do over again.
There is ample parking about 100 feet from the waiting line. It is all outdoors, with shade trees all around. It is a GREAT photo opportunity. The trains are awesome, the kids are smiling, and the ride is relaxing, and the people on line are friendly.
Pdf info: http://calslivesteam.org/images/calfly3.pdf
4921 Windsor Mill Road, Baltimore, MD 21207 Directions
Website: http://calslivesteam.org
Dates remaining:
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
(They do not run in rain)
