Photowalk: Zube Park Miniature Trains

UPDATE: MAP OF PARK INCLUDING TRAIN LAYOUTS: http://24moves.com/_hpwevents/2011tracklayout.pdf

Zube (pronounced: zoo-bee) Park is located in the outer reaches of Tomball. Once a month, the Houston Area Live Steamers group offers what they call a "Public Run Day" where they offer free train rides and demonstrations of their trains.

These aren't your average train sets, however. Remember Silver Spoons, and that train that Ricky rode through the mansion? The train rides are sort of like that. Any size or shape of adult or child can ride the trains at Zube Park. In addition to the large-scale trains, enthusiasts bring incredibly detailed reproductions of trains powered by steam and even coal to show off to visitors.

From the train ride through the park, to the miniature stations and railroad crossings, to the tiny steam-powered trains, there are plenty of picture-taking opportunities. You'll only have trouble deciding which lenses to bring!

For more information about Zube Park and the Houston Area Live Steamers, click here: http://hals.org/

For some pictures of the event, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwestfield/sets/72157625577383947/with/5305297012/

Children are welcome at this meetup. However we will be limiting the number of attendees as we don't want to overwhelm the HALS group.

Bring hats, sunblock, and water!

EDIT: RULES FOR THIS PHOTOWALK FROM THE HALS GROUP - PLEASE READ!

1. There are numerous spots along the railroad that should make for excellent photography opportunities and can be reached safely.

2. We request that no member stand or be on the track to obtain pictures.

3. There is a section of the railroad (known as Phase III) that goes through the woods and has very steep embankments and is also very narrow. We are asking that these areas be avoided so as not to endanger any of your group in trying to avoid a train.

4. There is a need to watch for and avoid snakes. Normally they are not abundant or around but have been known to be present at various and unexpected times since this is a wetland area with standing water in various places.

5. If there is a desire to take pictures at the engine barn, car barn, or steaming bays (think roundtable or roundhouse) we need to request that you have one of our members be with you during those periods. Either Mary Lou or Dan (HALS organizers) will be happy to help coordinate this for the group. If for some reason they are either engineering or conducting on a train they will get with you when they return to the station. It would be best if this were handled in groups versus individually since it would be more efficient.

6. The track has many tripping hazards so you all need to be careful around the rails themselves when crossing them, switch stands (mechanisms) where the tracks diverge or come together, and generally rough ground.

7. There is also a smaller gauge track area known as the Gauge 1 area that normally has smaller trains running on a raised platform.

8. As I am sure you know, it is Texas so protection from the sun should be considered also.

9. ALL riders that they must remain facing forward when riding the trains and cannot turn around or lean out to take pictures. The reason for this is to maintain the stability of the riding cars to prevent an imbalance that can lead to a derailment. Conductors will strictly enforce this rule.

10. If you are bringing small children, please try to bring another adult to watch them while you shoot, or else keep a very tight rein on them yourself. The trains cannot stop as fast as cars can!