Amazing 3-rail layout in FL Mall

 All I can say is WOW 😲👍😊!!  I wish I lived closer to South Florida so I could see this layout in person. I wonder if it is a permanent layout or is it seasonal?

Jim

Based upon the glimpses I could see of the bench work, I'm betting it is permanent. Very timely strategy to give folks a reason to want to go to the Mall.

Several years ago River City 3 Railers approached our Midlothian area Mall about displaying during the holidays. They were willing to rent floor space for our (then) 20' x 32' layout @ $75 per ft2 per month. Needless to say, they didn't "get it".

The layout was built by SMARTT. If you go to the SMARTT website there are pictures, a video and full specifications for that layout. 

I believe this layout was featured in OGR several years back. 

Does anyone know for sure if it is still up and running ?

I'd like to drop a note to some friends in South Florida to stop by, but don't want to send them if it's already down.

I want to know what they used for snow. It looks very realistic, strange with palm trees though.

The Aventura Station Holiday Model Train Layout was custom built in 2004 for the Aventura Mall by SMARTT, a local Miami custom model building firm. It was first displayed during the 2004 Holiday Season, featuring many custom made animated accessories, MTH 3 Rail O Gauge Trains, and DCS controls on most of the separate routes on at least 5 levels. The second level has two trains running in opposite directions that switch places inside the tunnel (this really perplexes the kids who like to follow each train around the layout). In addition to available Lionel and MTH operating accessories, which include a carnival with operating rides such as a Ferris wheel and roller coaster, some of the custom made ones include a jet port with taxiing aircraft, a heliport with helicopter that lifts off and sets down, a gymnasium with figures inside actually working out, a boat pulling a water skier, a candy store with group of kids outside, jumping up and down to receive treats, a bandshell with musicians rocking and rolling, and a working railroad drawbridge that causes the train to stop when it is open. The layout is built to come apart in 7 major sections, not counting the mountain tops and faux stone fascia skirting, and setup usually begins on a Saturday night when the Mall closes. Work continues all night and the layout is running by the time the mall opens at noon on Sunday. The layout is on display usually beginning in mid November and runs into the first or second weekend in January.

The snow is a textured paint available in arts & craft stores with some fine glitter highlights added as it is painted on.

Bill in FtL

Dec 2007 CTT had an article on this layout.