The miniature Solsberry created by Larry Shute
Friday, January 3, 2020
Photos by Patti Danner
In the town of Solsberry in eastern Greene County, local historian Larry Shute, a lifelong train buff, created a mini version of his hometown. His model trains, complete with lights, sound and steam, circle around the town, passing by Shute's childhood home, the Solsberry water tower, schools, churches and even the historic Tulip Trestle.
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A peaceful scene from Shute's creation.
(By Patti Danner)
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A service station circa 1959.
(By Patti Danner)
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A limestone quarry.
(By Patti Danner)
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The Solsberry water tower.
(By Patti Danner)
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The detail in Shute's creations must be seen to be believed.
(By Patti Danner)
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A working traffic light in town.
(By Patti Danner)
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A busy Bob's Big Boy Drive-in
(By Patti Danner)
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Plenty of wee cars to choose from.
(By Patti Danner)
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Approaching downtown.
(By Patti Danner)
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Shute's wife, Jean, loves pumpkins, so Shute created a pumpkin farm just for her.
(By Patti Danner)
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A neighborhood in town.
(By Patti Danner)
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Another tiny neighborhood.
(By Patti Danner)
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Teeny-tiny players play baseball on a teeny-tiny field.
(By Patti Danner)
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Shute's childhood home, built by Shute from memory.
(By Patti Danner)
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One can almost hear children playing happily in the wee little playground.
(By Patti Danner)
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Country road in rural mini-Solsberry.
(By Patti Danner)
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A tiny, but perfect little train station.
(By Patti Danner)
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What is this? A school for ANTS??
(By Patti Danner)
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A busy movie theater.
(By Patti Danner)
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Shute adjusts the lighting in his miniature world.
(By Patti Danner)
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Choooo-chooooo!
(By Patti Danner)
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Shute's attention to detail is unrivaled.
(By Patti Danner)
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An antique gas dispenser Shute salvaged.
(By Patti Danner)
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The very car Shute and his sweetie, Jean, used on their dates so long ago.
(By Patti Danner)
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Such a classic beauty.
(By Patti Danner)