Train Masters of Babylon Model Train Club at the Upper Room Church, 722 Deer Park Ave., Dix Hills hosts a Model Train Show Open House on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come see their new 6500 square foot Come check our progress and enjoy multiple trains from prewar to the most modern O gauge trains running at all times. Fun for the whole family. Free admission. For more information, visit www.tmbmodeltrainclub.com
Mark your calendars! The St James Model Railroad Club will host an Open House on Sunday, March 23 at the Mills Pond House, 176 Mills Pond Road, St. James from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This 38’ X 48” Lionel train layout, the result of 42 years of continuing improvements, represents Railroading from the Age of Steam to Present Day with many freight and passenger trains running simultaneously in a scenic, imaginative setting.
Featured are many new additions to the Layout including a New City scene with operating roadway, a Freight yard upgrade and a new power plant & Fire scene. An improved layout guarantees that you will see many trains presented in a detailed, realistic setting.
Children of all ages will enjoy the sights and sounds of this truly impressive event. Suggested donations are $2 for adults, 50 cents for children.
Please note: The St. James Model Railroad club is not handicap accessible. Parking is in the rear of the building.
For further information, call 516-263-9607 or 631-543-8732.
Train enthusiasts had a “choo choo” of a fun time when they visited the Railroad Museum of Long Island’s toy train display at Middle Country Public Library in Centereach on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16. With 1,400 in attendance, patrons enjoyed watching a variety of trains running in addition to interacting with museum staff and volunteers who shared their expertise. One of the highlights was the toy train clinic that was offered.
For more information about programs and classes held at Middle Country Public Library, please visit https://www.mcplibrary.org or call at 631-585-9393.
TMB Model Train Club at the Upper Room Church, 722 Deer Park Ave., Dix Hills hosts a Model Train Show Open House on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 5 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Can’t make it? The club will also hold an open house on Jan. 18 and Feb. 8 from 11 am. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 19 and Feb. 9 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy multiple trains from prewar to the most modern O gauge trains running at all times. Fun for the whole family. Free admission. For more information, visit www.tmbmodeltrainclub.com
By Katherine Kelton
Smithtown Historical Society’s annual Model Train Show was held Sunday, March 24, at the Frank Brush Barn. The event featured the work of various engineers, who displayed their impressive collections of train modules in the form of a large oval.
Each was unique in the various landscapes, cities and lighting created. Visitors walked around the oval and enjoyed the intricate displays.
Families and train lovers visited the exhibition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cold weather made the indoor event the perfect stop, with a $5 admission for adults and $3 for children.
One engineer, Kevin Davis, shares his enthusiasm with the younger generation with whom he gets involved in model train building. Specifically, one young man joined the ranks of adult engineers and is trusted around the dangerous voltage-powered tracks.
“What I did with this module was I wanted to give light, but I didn’t want to use any of the track power,” Davis explained. He used handheld battery packs to light the inside of the buildings and to give the impression of people living inside. He also used smaller lights from the Dollar Store to illuminate smaller objects.
Davis hopes to see more than just families at the event: “One other group we like to attract is retirees. You know stop sitting at home. Everybody loves trains from 8 to 80.”
However, most of the attendees were families with small children. Davis believes more women and minorities should also get involved in the events, as they are not as represented in the space.
Another engineer, Joel Berse, proclaimed the “Godfather of Train Shows,” told reporters, “My whole goal with putting on these shows is multifaceted. My shows are all fundraising shows. We also try to promote the hobby because kids are too busy on their phones and not doing real things.”
Berse is CEO of Trainville Hobby Depot in Hicksville and organizes many model train shows on Long Island. He also works in shows outside New York. He teaches people how to build different displays. “You get an idea and then as you’re doing it the idea changes 18,000 times,” Berse said. “And a saying I have is, ‘No layout is ever done because you always find something else you want to add to it.’”
This hobby gives people an imaginative outlet in which they build and rebuild intricate layouts. The shows are gatherings for enthusiasts and creators alike. The model train groups are very active on Long Island and hold numerous exhibitions.
The Smithtown Historical Society will use the collected admissions from this show for maintenance on the farm buildings and animal care on the property.
Does your child love trains? The Smithtown Historical Society will host a Model Train Show fundraiser at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown on Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring an HO Scale layout from Long Island HOTrack, O Gauge Trolleys from the Long Island Traction Society and an N Scale layout courtesy of Trainville Hobby Depot.
Proceeds from this event will go toward the historical society’s restoration of farm buildings and caring for the farm animals. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 12 and under. For information, call Vinnie at 631-524-0529.
