The “Roadside Attractions” exhibition, part of the Descanso Railroad, highlights attractions along the country’s roads, including Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood. (photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens)

Descanso Gardens is switching tracks with a new exhibition on the Descanso Railroad display of miniature trains. Visitors will bid farewell to Applied Imagination’s “Train Stations of America” exhibition as it makes way for “Roadside Attractions,” an imaginative tribute to America’s most memorable roadside landmarks. The new pieces will be installed over Valentine’s Day weekend, with the railroad’s landscape being refreshed the following week.

Crafted by Applied Imagination, “Roadside Attractions” brings a collection of iconic American landmarks past and present to life in remarkable detail. From colossal food-shaped buildings to oversized roadside oddities, each piece is constructed from natural materials such as twigs, leaves, seedpods and acorns, fusing art and nature.

“These incredible miniatures are packed with creativity and personality,” Descanso Gardens CEO Julianne Rooke said. “Applied Imagination’s ability to capture the spirit of these classic landmarks in such lifelike detail never ceases to amaze us. We can’t wait for visitors – both locals and those from across the country – to see these nostalgic icons up close.”

Among the highlights are miniature versions of the Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue in Plains, Georgia – a giant peanut with a signature toothy grin built in 1976 to support the future president’s campaign; the Brown Derby in Los Angeles – once one of L.A.’s most famous restaurants; the Longaberger Basket Building in Newark, Ohio – a towering homage to America’s basket-weaving legacy shaped like the company’s best-selling basket; and the Peachoid in Gaffney, South Carolina – A 135-foot-tall water tower resembling a ripe peach. Also included are Dinosaur Land in White Post, Virginia – a roadside dinosaur park that has charmed visitors for over 50 years; Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood – featuring an iconic oversized doughnut that greets travelers near LAX; and the Big Duck in Flanders, New York – a Long Island favorite and icon of roadside architecture.

The exhibition will have more than 20 handcrafted pieces surrounding model trains that run continuously throughout the day. The Descanso Railroad is free with admission to Descanso Gardens, located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge. For information, call (818)949-4200, or visit descansogardens.org.