THUNDER BAY - For the first time since 2018, local and our-of-town model railroaders were able to get together for a charity event that also gave them the chance to showcase their hobby.
The Thunder on Rails Model Railroad Show brought out residents to the West Thunder Community Centre to take a look at the different displays and toy trains.
Thunder on Rails organizer Terry Moore said they were worried about how many visitors would come by after the hiatus, but they were quickly proven wrong as residents of all ages came down to the West Thunder Community Centre to see the various model railroad layouts, antique toy trains, and other hobby displays on site.
“Everything from G scale, which is a scale normally associated with large garden railways and all the way down to N scale, which is not the smallest, but the more common of the smaller layouts for limited spaces,” he said.
“We also have various railway displays from Canadian National Railway and their Operation lifesaver Program and we have the Thunder Bay model Railroaders, which is a relatively new club here in Thunder Bay that have an HO free-mo layout and they're also promoting their junior model railroader program that uses what are known as team track modules. The kids get to build their modules and include them in a layout and enjoy model railroads.”
Proceeds from the event are going to the Thunder Bay Metro Lions Club, and it's supported charities.
Local railroader and Lions Club Member Ron Fuchek has been interested in trains and railroads since he was a kid. He said a lot of the appeal towards model trains for him is the nostalgia.
“I guess I was a black sheep of the family, my background, my family were all CN railroaders and my late wife’s was CPR Railroaders. And so, it's our blood. I hear stories and I used to ride with my dad on the old steam locomotives, that's just before they all went to diesel,” he said.
“So I still love steam. Steam's got a character to it where diesel, I'm not a diesel fan, but I enjoyed it and I remember taking the train to Duluth from Thunder bay, then Fort William. So yeah, it's in my blood.
Residents who missed Saturday's show will still get the chance to check out some model trains as the show will continue on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
