The model train chugged and whistled as it rolled through John and Nita Mason's backyard garden.

"That's been about four years in the making," John said, referring to the G-scale railroad and its electric locomotive.

Several visitors wandered the yard at 3801 N. Tamarack Road, one of eight destinations on Sunday's Inland Empire Water Garden & Koi Society Pond Tour. They admired the tumbling waterfall, the wooden water tower and the deep, clear pond.

"I think its wonderful. I especially like the ones with the trains," said Fred Albi of Post Falls. "It's just amazing to me the commitment these people have on their projects. We were just at a home where it's been a 30-year endeavor."

The pond tour changes venues every year. Sometimes it's in Spokane, but the 2011 edition took place in North Idaho. Homes in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Dalton Gardens were showcased.

"There was something for everybody," said Kathy Dutro of Post Falls.

She and her husband, Glenn, especially enjoyed the waterfall, koi pond and whimsical water features at Ed and Tina Hood's spacious garden on North 16th Street in Dalton Gardens.

The Dutros also liked Scott and Kathy Rollins' creation on 23rd Avenue in Post Falls, which featured a goldfish pond and Japanese-style landscaping.

Other ponds were filled with unique fish, or surrounded by Bonsai trees and specially-built rocks. At John Miller's place on North Chateaux Drive in Hayden, visitors explored a 25,000-gallon pond.

"There's not two alike," Dutro said. "They're all different. They're all wonderful."