This summer in early June I was visiting friends in Dohnelega, GA and stumbled on this impressive German themed HO railroad.  I’d been to Helen several times but didn’t even know it was there.  My friend found it on the internet so off we went to see it.  I went just expecting the usual public layout but something else happened.  Upon entering the unexpectedly huge room it was in my jaw dropped in amazement.

Apparently it had been closed for many years and was just reopening.  I’m just now getting to put it in the blog here on the website. But I’ll make one thing clear: If you are a model railroad fan this is something you will be very impressed by.  Then another: If you are of German heritage (which I am) and / or are a fan of German HO manufacturer’s such as Faller, LGB, Marklin, Piko, etc. this is a MUST, MUST SEE!

Then consider that this is as I understand it, one man’s life work and private collection.  To put it in perspective, it’s in my opinion above and  beyond what many large model railroad clubs achieve with dozens of members contributing in vision, effort and finance. Except one guy did this.  Wow  just wow.

I did not have my professional video equipment with me.  Had I known what was there I would have brought it.  I’ll go back next summer with it.  But for now I’ll leave you with this cheap cell phone video.  There is some much better video coverage of it on the official website though.

Bob’s visit to Charlemagne’s Kingdom – Helen, GA – June 2017 from HB Plant Railroad Plant City FL. on Vimeo.

For a deeper description here is some more information about layout that I did not write.  (copied straight from the business website.)

Charlemagne’s Kingdom, an Alpine Model Railroad Museum in the Georgia Mountains, features HO Scale German Model Railroads, in a 50 foot exhitbit that depicts the various terrain and architecture of Germany. As an example of Alpine art it is a unique combination of imagination and craftsmanship, the product of the talents of Willi and Judi Lindhorst. Charlemagne refers principally to the German lands which were ruled by the Frankish King in the 700s. This exhibit is really a marvelous Alpine Model Railroad depicting a modern Germany from “The North sea to the Alps.” It is truly a work of art and is the result of Willi’s love of his homeland, its people, trains, architecture, industry, customs and culture. (Not only that, but Willi can trace himself as a lineal descendant of Charlemagne!)

Visitors will find this HO scale model railroad, with hundreds of feet of railroad track, a masterpiece of detail and action that blends well with the Alpine theme of Helen. A high quality sound system plays German music and authentic sound effects to add to the atmosphere. The crowning piece of the multi-featured land-scape is the 22 ft. high “Matterhorn”, built over a framework with more than 300 gallons of plaster sculpted into its “icey” slopes.

The front of the building has a large mural representing the great Emperor Charlemagne in the trappings and surroundings of his day. It was painted by Mahler in 1995.

While you are here, watch the Glockenspiel in the Gingerbread House. See six wooden carved German Dancers, 4 feet tall, in colorful custom dress, Marching and Dancing to German Music, Three Times Each Day… Noon, 3, and 6 p.m.!!

Features

The largest Alpine Model Railroad museum
400 Feet of Railroad Track with computerized trains
Alpine Village with Moving Cable Cars
Lighted Cities, Towns & Villages
Octoberfest with Motorized Carnival Rides
Seaport, Lakes, Rivers
Moving Hot Air Balloons
Three Ring Circus Tents
22 Foot High Mountains
Street Lights, Traffic Lights, Sounds & Music from our in house speakers
Autobahn with Moving Cars and Trucks
Thousands of Hand Painted Figurines
Handicap accessible
Pets welcome