CULTIVATING WELLNESS


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It all started when Bob Landis was just a boy, the oldest of four brothers, growing up on his grandfather’s farm in Lancaster County. He still remembers receiving a small train set for Christmas when he was five years old.


That began his lifetime interest in trains, both models and actual ones. Over the years, Bob married, became a father, and helped start the business Triangle Communications. He says, “Trains had to take a back burner when life got busier, but they were never forgotten.”


n the 1980’s he and his late wife, Lovis, traveled by sleeper train to a national bowling tournament in Reno, Nevada. “It took three days each way and we really enjoyed it,” says Bob. Another memorable train trip was when they traveled by Auto Train to Florida. “We met a retired conductor on that trip, whom we continued to be friends with for several years,” said Bob.


For Bob’s 80th birthday, his three sons surprised him with a two-day train trip from Lancaster to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New York City, and back to Lancaster. Two of his sons went along for the ride. “It was a great trip,” Bob remembers.


Bob shared that he and Lovis explored a number of retirement communities in the area. “Landis Homes offered us a hybrid home at the right time,” he said. “It has a wonderful view of the wetlands!”


“Later, when I found out two of my close neighbors were train buddies that made my day!” he said.


Te Garden Railroad at Landis Homes was started by residents in 2005. “Today there are 17 of us who are part of the group,” said Bob. “We built on what was started and have expanded it to make some improvements.”


Te group asked Bob to help give leadership. “I think that was because I am a natural trouble shooter when it comes to figuring out a problem,” Bob says.


In 2019, the group saw their railroad become part of the Tri County Garden Railroad Tour, sponsored by the Strasburg Railroad Museum. Bob said that in spite of the rain, they had over 150 visitors that day.


“A couple of years ago we built a temporary indoor display for a fall and Christmas exhibit,” said Bob. “Later, an area was designated for a permanent indoor layout, and we hope to start building it later this year.”


Bob enjoys trains so much he also volunteers at two other local train groups. His cell phone even makes a train whistle sound. He also volunteers regularly at Mennonite Central Committee’s Material Resource Center in Ephrata and at his church.


10 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2021


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