From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2022

‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ – Max Planck (1858-1947)

Long Island Garden Railway Society holiday displays

At the Cradle of Aviation Museum this December 26th, I enjoyed capturing photos of the Long Island Garden Railway Society’s display for the winter holidays, as I did 10 years ago on December 26, 2012.

• 2012:  

Dec. 26, 2012. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. – The Long Island Garden Railway Society large-scale model train display surrounds a large decorated tree during winter holidays at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Grumman Blue Angels F-11 Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though the 2012 and 2022 model train displays I covered were by the same large scale model train organization, LIGRS, at the same museum, CAM, there were also differences – including in my photography equipment, experience, goals, and the COVID-19 impact.

• 2012:  

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S.  G scale New York Central engine passes by the carousel in the carnival theme section of the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Photography Equipment

When covering the event in 2012, I used my Nikon D74 DSLR full-frame camera, with a zoom lens, the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lG ED – arguably the best prime lens, to use as a sole lens, to cover such an event.

A few days ago, I used my Nikon Z9 mirrorless full-frame camera with a macro lens, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S – an outstanding lens to capture macro, closeup photos of small subjects such as model trains.

This year, had my goal been covering the event and location thoroughly, I would’ve also used a second lens- for example, my Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 A prime lens or my iPhone Pro. My goal was to work on capturing the best photos possible with my macro lens.

• 2012:  

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S. This young boy came with his family to see the Long Island Garden Railway Society display in atrium of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. A member of LIGRS is in the center area, available to answer visitors’ questions. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Experience with Place & Subject

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is the Long Island museum I’ve photographed the longest and most often. For over a decade, I’ve loved photographing a wide variety of locations there, repeatedly, from morning to to dusk and night.

And over the past ten years I’ve covered model train events at several places and by several passionate organizations on Long Island, often more than once.  

This year, after covering the atrium ground floor display, I asked myself, ‘Time to walk up the stairs to cover this from the upper levels?’ and answered, ‘Not really.’

• 2022:  

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young woman G scale model train figure stands next to a classic red pickup truck with ‘Coca-Cola’ on door at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

COVID-19 impact

The model train display looked a bit toned down this year.

It’s been years since spring 2020 when New York became an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce one’s risk of being hospitalized or worse due to the virus. Wearing N95 or KN95 masks significantly reduces the chance of transmitting or getting COVID-19.

But many of Long Island’s museums and clubs are still negatively impacted by COVID-19 – with lower average rates of attendance and participation.

• 2022:  

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A bright yellow Denver & Rio Grande Western Passenger Coach G scale car is in the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

• 2022 – side view of train in Feature Photo:

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A 1931 American Locomotive Company Superheater, seen here in closeup, is part of he Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

About LIGRS’ display:

G scale model trains circle the large festive tree in CAM’s atrium. They pass through many themed areas, including an old-fashioned drive-in theater and a train station.

It’s no surprise the Long Island Garden Railway Society choose G scale, which is both the largest scale model train (ratio of 1:22.5) and most popular outdoor scale model train. 

The large size, durability, and ruggedness of G scale model trains make them ideal for large indoor areas, and for outdoors – even in the snow!

• 2022:  

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A Santa Claus G scale model train figure rings a bell as he stands next to an antique car at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

FEATURE PHOTO (at top): Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young boy points to a model train traveling around the Long Island Garden Railway Society display of model trains at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 

Year round at Cradle of Aviation Museum:

Along with special exhibits and events, the air & space museum has the jetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium and world class permanent exhibits – many with historic Long Island roots.

Cradle of Aviation Store – Before leaving CAM this week, I went to the Museum Store and bought my toddler grandson a couple of souvenirs: an adorable pilot’s hat and plush toy version of the genuine U.S. Navy Grumman F11 Tiger Jet suspended from the atrium.

my CAM Model Trains galleries: 2012 photos • 2022 photos

Long Island Garden Railway Society:  ligrs.club • membership form

Cradle of Aviation Museum

CONTACT ME