In 1969, Jack Klingbeil and his wife started a miniature railway for their children in Alaska; by 2026, it had grown into a public family attraction with 3.5 miles of track, bridges and tunnels across 18 acres

What began as a personal project for a family in 1969 has evolved into a significant public attraction in Wasilla, Alaska. Jack Klingbeil and his wife originally constructed the miniature railway specifically for their children. Over the decades, the operation expanded considerably to include 3.5 miles of track spread across 18 acres of woodland. Today, visitors can ride the line as it travels through tunnels, crosses bridges, and passes by detailed scale-model towns. This growth from a private family endeavor to a public destination was highlighted in a report by Dave Allgood for Aging Untold, which was published on July 9, 2026, and subsequently distributed by Atlanta News First.