Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Massachusetts Needham Martini Junction
AO Edited

Martini Junction

An elaborate, hidden model train in the Needham Town Forest.

Needham, Massachusetts

Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Jim Metcalf at Martini Junction   Facebook
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  HelloChristin / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  SpazzyPixel / Atlas Obscura User
  HelloChristin / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
  TheDiscoveryService / Atlas Obscura User
Martini Junction   YouTube
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Martini Junction is a model train built in the Needham Town Forest. It consists of 120 feet of track, supported in places by elaborate wooden supports, a station with a human-scale table and benches, and other random miniature pieces of scenery.

If you are fortunate enough to visit the Junction when its creator, Jim Metcalf, is there, he is likely to unlock the remote-controlled train, run it around the tracks, and answer your questions.

Jim built Martini Junction and has maintained it for ten years, ever since he and his wife discovered the spot and started picnicking there. Jim decided it would be a nice place to have a martini, hence the name.

Whether it was before or after a few martinis that Jim decided their picnic spot in the middle of the forest would be a nice place for a scale model train, is less clear.

Regardless, for any visitor lucky enough to find Jim running his train, the Junction is true a delight.

We explored Martini Junction on Obscura Day - March 20th, 2010. Photos, stories and more here

Related Tags

Small Worlds And Model Towns Trains Models

Know Before You Go

Park at the end of Robinwood Avenue. It is a residential neighborhood so please be considerate and respectful of where you park. Immediately inside the forest, go to the far right and follow the "white" trail, indicated by the number 12 and marked by white marks on trees, along with tiny white birdhouses.

Within 5-10 minutes, take the unmarked trail off to the right indicated by the number 11. This trail is marked by the same tiny birdhouses, still white, but with orange roofs. Take this trail for another ten minutes or so. Along the way, you will see various small decorations and miniature structures like houses and people indicating you are heading in the right direction. 

Community Contributors

Edited By

TheDiscoveryService, mbison, Meg, HelloChristin...

  • TheDiscoveryService
  • mbison
  • Meg
  • HelloChristin
  • SpazzyPixel

Published

May 8, 2010

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.talkofourtowns.com/2006/12/13/hidden-treasure-in-needham-ma/
Martini Junction
96 Robinwood Ave
Needham, Massachusetts, 02492
United States
42.268981, -71.247282
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Burned at the Stake Monument

Wellesley, Massachusetts

miles away

Babson Globe

Wellesley, Massachusetts

miles away

'Ominous Ikon #6 and Yaddo Study'

Wellesley, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

United States

Places 541
Stories 43

Nearby Places

Burned at the Stake Monument

Wellesley, Massachusetts

miles away

Babson Globe

Wellesley, Massachusetts

miles away

'Ominous Ikon #6 and Yaddo Study'

Wellesley, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

United States

Places 541
Stories 43

Related Places

  • Hot Springs, Arkansas

    Tiny Town

    Everything in this miniature world was handmade from matches, paperclips, wires, tin cans, and other everyday objects.

  • Aerial view of the Rockies, Plaines and Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois

    Great Train Story Diorama

    This $3 million model train takes you through Chicago, Seattle, and the thousands of miles in between.

  • Flemington, New Jersey

    Northlandz

    One of the world's largest model railroads is a mind-boggling achievement.

  • Richmond, California

    Golden State Model Railroad Museum

    A 10,000-square-foot museum of operating model trains.

  • Luna Park

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    Miniature Railroad & Village

    Pittsburgh’s largest and most detailed model train display began as one WWI veteran’s hobby.

  • Note the steamboat in the center.

    Strasburg, Pennsylvania

    Choo Choo Barn

    This extraordinary model train layout covers over 1,700 square feet, with multiple trains running simultaneously.

  • The National Toy Train Museum

    Ronks, Pennsylvania

    The National Toy Train Museum

    A comprehensive collection of toy and model trains, largely from the mid-20th century.

  • Paris, France

    Association Française des Amis des Chemins de Fer

    A model train wonderland hidden beneath Gare de l'Est station.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.