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3 generations operate little engine that could and does

Three generations of Rhinehart men operate the Sugar Pie Railway at Grandma’s Gardens. Jake Rhinehart (from left); his dad, Doug Rhinehart; and Doug’s dad, Jim Rhinehart, ride Dewey the Diesel, an engine that Jim painted.

Contributed photo Three generations of Rhinehart men operate the Sugar Pie Railway at Grandma’s Gardens. Jake Rhinehart (from left); his dad, Doug Rhinehart; and Doug’s dad, Jim Rhinehart, ride Dewey the Diesel, an engine that Jim painted.

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By Jill Kelley, Staff Writer 11:46 AM Thursday, October 14, 2010

Grandma’s Gardens started with help from family, and family continues to drive the business — literally.

Doug and Paulette Rhinehart bought the garden center south of Centerville on Ohio 48 in 1979.

“Dad helped with the seed money for the original four acres,” Doug Rhinehart said. “And my mom thought the house looked a lot like a grandma’s house. I thought that sounded good since grandmas are always smart gardeners and have green thumbs.”

Grandma’s Gardens sells fresh and unusual plants, trees and shrubs. Although the busiest retail season is spring, Rhinehart said the fall sees just as much foot traffic.

The Sugar Pie Railway might have something to do with that.

For the first four weekends in October, Grandma’s Gardens offers train rides around the pond and into the pumpkin patch.

“We just let the kids off on the opposite side of the pond in a little wooded area, where our little pumpkin patch is,” Rhinehart said. “They pick up a pumpkin and from there can go into Grandpa’s Barn and decorate the pumpkins. Usually we have popcorn and cider, too.”

Rhinehart said adults are welcome on the train.

“Sometimes the parents say they don’t want to ride because they think they are too big,” he said. “But then they get on and they love it. It makes everyone feel like a kid again.”

Three generations of Rhinehart men operate the train: Doug, 56; his dad, Jim, 80; and Doug’s son, Jake, 25.

“We all fight over it,” Doug Rhinehart said with a laugh. “We all like trains. It’s an excuse to play with our hobby.”

Rhinehart said he has heard from customers that they enjoy getting back to nature.

“During the recession, I think people consider us a comfort station in a way, to forget about all the crazy stuff that might be going on,” he said. “They like stopping by as a way to unwind.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.