Judy Rustemeyer didn’t just plant flowers in her Norwood Park backyard; she built a town. Since the late 1990s, the family has expanded a modest oval of tracks into the Norwood Junction 5R Railroad, a sprawling landscape now occupied by seven trains running simultaneously. It’s a scale that surprises most visitors, who expect a simple model on a shelf, not a full-scale outdoor village complete with a water tower, tiny shops, and a cemetery. The setup covers virtually the entire garden, a testament to what happens when patience meets a shared obsession.
The project began in the basement with Judy’s father, William Rustemeyer, who wanted to take his hobby outside. Shirley, the family matriarch, initially resisted giving up her green space after years of tending it. But she eventually joined in, using her gardening skills to integrate rose bushes and bright blooms with the miniature structures. The name honors five family members: Shirley, Judy, their brothers Robert and Donald, and William, who passed away in 2020. Today, the yard serves as both a private sanctuary and a public attraction.
Every year around the Fourth of July, the Rustemeyers open the gates. Between 100 and 150 neighbors and enthusiasts show up over two days to watch the trains run. In the evenings, the family switches on miniature lights, casting a glow over the village that Judy says creates a completely different atmosphere. It’s not just about the machinery; it’s about the social fabric. The family has lived in the same home since 1971, and the railway has become a central hub for their model train community, which includes groups like the Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club, active since 1947.
But Judy worries about the future. Inflation and tariffs have pushed the cost of model equipment up, and she notices fewer young people picking up the craft. The hobby is losing its grip on the next generation. To counter this, the family leans heavily on their open houses, hoping that seeing the intricate detail up close will spark curiosity in younger visitors. It’s a grassroots effort to keep a niche interest alive in an era where digital distractions dominate.
The next major event is the upcoming Fourth of July open house, where the family plans to showcase new additions to the layout. For now, the Norwood Junction remains a quiet, colorful refuge in the middle of Chicago, proving that a small patch of grass and a lot of love can outlast trends.