2008 Update

On April 19th 2008 the Vines Garden Railroad Club members hosted a meeting for the Georgia Garden Railroad Society. Workshop clinics were presented throughout the day by members of the GGRS, including a demonstration of the Aristo-Craft live steam locomotive by R.J. DeBerg.
We would like to thank Chef Eric and his staff, from the Vines Garden restaurant, who provided a full B.B.Q. luncheon to all who attended.

On this same day a memorial bench was dedicated to Hub Evens on behalf of his family, friends and members of the VGR.

Hub participated in a number of activities both for the GGRS and the VGR. A plaque located at the site of the park bench will be a permanent remembrance for all who visit.

Four new members joined the Vines Garden Railroad team during 2008.
Welcome aboard! Richard Baylis, Tim Mullen, Russ Bundy and his wife, Leslie Anne. Hopefully the additional staff will now provide us with sufficient volunteers to open most Sundays during the 2009 season.
All members are enthusiastic G Scale railroaders each with their own areas of expertise.

If you are planning a Sunday meal at the Vines please come and visit us. We are only a few short steps from the restaurant and signs are posted to show you the way.

It looked as though a tornado had touched down on Vines City during the evening of August 9th. 2008. The following morning it was realized vandals had struck the VGR again. This time damaging a number of buildings and parts of the track. Some of the buildings had been broken beyond repair.

Once again North American Security came to our assistance by donating and installing a video surveillance system at the site. Additional track and switches have been installed and the wye is now operational. Plans also include remote operation of the switches to allow semi automatic movement of trains between tracks one, two and three.

After the railroad closed for the winter season the steel truss bridge required a great deal of work in the way of cleaning and being applied with a fresh coat of paint. Worn and damaged track is to be replaced and ballast for right of way re-graded. New embankments require building to prevent rain from washing out the ballast.

Other ideas, planned for the future, include a rail freight yard to store rolling stock between operations and a barn for the trolley line where two trolleys’ can alternate operation on a single track.

On the hill overlooking Peachtree Bridge and Vines Creek, a site is being prepared for the building of “Tara” (From Gone with the Wind fame.) with terraces and gardens to be planted below! At least the ideas appear to be good, they may take a little longer to materialize!

Thanks to one of our visitors, who had dismantled his own garden railroad system, we have now been donated a number of buildings, track and rolling stock which we can use to replace those items damaged or lost.

We would also like to thank our visitors and corporate sponsors who, during the 2008 season, gave much to help us host the GGRS meeting, purchase replacement parts and cover our repair costs.

Sufficient funds were also received allowing us to purchase the new Atlantic Coast Line GP-7 diesel locomotive and install a sound module. This will replace the GP-7 stolen in 2007.

During 2008 we were pleased to announce the Vines Garden restaurant would be open to the public again for lunches and dinners. Unfortunately Chef Eric has had to close the facility and it is no longer available for general dining.
We have now been advised John Gibb, who used to operate the Vines Garden Restaurant together with the Little Gardens Restaurant in Lilburn, will be re-opening the facility under the new name of the Vines Mansion. Vines Mansion

Catering will be limited to Weddings and special events.