On August 30 fourteen TIAA folks wandered around in awe as we visited the toy train exhibit, TrainTopia, at the Frisco Discovery Center. The G-scale model layout (G for garden because it was originally intended to stay outside and run among the flowers) was donated by the Sanders family and spans more than 2,500 square feet with multiple trains running constantly on different tracks. The exhibit featured scenic highlights and populated areas in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. Also featured is an animated downtown Dallas street scene, the Palo Duro Drive-In with a movie playing on the screen and 1950s cars. All of the little things that bring the scenes to life are there such a police car with flashing lights, a woman in a blue dress with her luggage, and a guy hauling a crate of Spud King potatoes. The many lighted features turn on during dusk and nighttime providing a different look and feel to the scenes. After that we visited the National Videogame Museum next door where all of us received four tokens so we could journey back in time in their arcade, play some of our old favorites, realize how much the video games have evolved, and learn how slow our reflexes are now. Lastly, we ate a delicious lunch at Rudy's Country BBQ Store while sitting at a huge round table so we could do what we do best — socialize. We arrived back at TI about 2 pm.
TrainTopia Tour, August 30, 2018
