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Model train enthusiasts came together this past weekend to share their love and knowledge of trains with the public.
The Funtrak Model Railroad Club sponsored the second annual Valley Rail Sights Model Railroad Show at the Masonic Temple in Ilion, transforming the building into a land of make believe where the young and young at heart could pretend to be engineers of their own train hauling freight and passengers.
“There is just something about trains that capture a person’s imagination,” said Funtrak Treasurer Clayton Farrall. “People of all ages are captivated by them, whether they are large or small.”
Club member Lorenzo Franchi said he could trace his fascination with trains back to his youth.
“I grew up along the West Shore line in the city of Little Falls,” said Franchi. “The trains would pass right by our homes. They didn’t move as fast then, and you could run up behind them.”
Passenger coaches and dining cars, box cars and hopper cars, coal tenders and cabooses, made exactly like the real ones, rode the tracks along lifelike sets depicting all facets of modern life.
“A lot of work is put into building these sets and scenery,” said Franchi, adding that companies offer virtually every kind of accessory. “If you can think of it, you can probably order it from somewhere. You can really let your imagination run wild when it comes to scenery, right down to the last detail.”
The scenes assembled around the tracks were assembled from kits, which range from simple assembly to complex construction, and from scratch, such as the scene that included a model of a bridge at Lock 19 in Schuyler. Scratch built scenes are designed and built by individual enthusiasts, giving them the ability to create and control their own worlds, right down to the population size.
“Model train shows are also a great place to learn about the railroad,” said Farrall. “There is a lot of railroad history in our area, and people enjoy sharing that history. Shows are a great social event.”
The Funtrak Model Railroad Club was founded in 1992 and sponsors numerous shows throughout the year. Club members also take part in larger shows held throughout the state.
“It’s a great opportunity to show what you have,” said Farrall. “Our members like displaying their scenes and trains for other enthusiasts and the public. Some of the scenes require a lot of space, so for some of our members they only time they can display everything they have is at a show.”
Farrall, an original member of the Funtrak Model Railroad Club, added that club members like being out in the community. “It’s great to be able to interact with the public and share our passion for trains with them,” he said. “Our members look forward to shows like this.”
Model train enthusiasts came together this past weekend to share their love and knowledge of trains with the public.
The Funtrak Model Railroad Club sponsored the second annual Valley Rail Sights Model Railroad Show at the Masonic Temple in Ilion, transforming the building into a land of make believe where the young and young at heart could pretend to be engineers of their own train hauling freight and passengers.
“There is just something about trains that capture a person’s imagination,” said Funtrak Treasurer Clayton Farrall. “People of all ages are captivated by them, whether they are large or small.”
Club member Lorenzo Franchi said he could trace his fascination with trains back to his youth.
“I grew up along the West Shore line in the city of Little Falls,” said Franchi. “The trains would pass right by our homes. They didn’t move as fast then, and you could run up behind them.”
Passenger coaches and dining cars, box cars and hopper cars, coal tenders and cabooses, made exactly like the real ones, rode the tracks along lifelike sets depicting all facets of modern life.
“A lot of work is put into building these sets and scenery,” said Franchi, adding that companies offer virtually every kind of accessory. “If you can think of it, you can probably order it from somewhere. You can really let your imagination run wild when it comes to scenery, right down to the last detail.”
The scenes assembled around the tracks were assembled from kits, which range from simple assembly to complex construction, and from scratch, such as the scene that included a model of a bridge at Lock 19 in Schuyler. Scratch built scenes are designed and built by individual enthusiasts, giving them the ability to create and control their own worlds, right down to the population size.
“Model train shows are also a great place to learn about the railroad,” said Farrall. “There is a lot of railroad history in our area, and people enjoy sharing that history. Shows are a great social event.”
The Funtrak Model Railroad Club was founded in 1992 and sponsors numerous shows throughout the year. Club members also take part in larger shows held throughout the state.
“It’s a great opportunity to show what you have,” said Farrall. “Our members like displaying their scenes and trains for other enthusiasts and the public. Some of the scenes require a lot of space, so for some of our members they only time they can display everything they have is at a show.”
Farrall, an original member of the Funtrak Model Railroad Club, added that club members like being out in the community. “It’s great to be able to interact with the public and share our passion for trains with them,” he said. “Our members look forward to shows like this.”
