Black railroad tracks aligned between Buildings Two and Three at the Kern County Fairgrounds may have been the attraction for many children on March 8-9, for they could ride the Santa Fe train, granted they could charm their parents for $2.
However, most of the goodies were found inside Building Two.
The Model Train Show, an annual event since 1994, was put on by the Historical and Modeling Society and featured various aesthetic train models by different vendors.
“You can make it a family affair,” said Doug Wagner, a member of the Historical and Modeling Society. According to Wagner, the larger model, which was set up outside for children to ride, cost $500 per car. However, there were more visually pleasing models inside for both adults and children to enjoy.
There were many different scales, including N, S, HO, G and Z scales.
The G scale is one of the largest, which can be used in gardens.
“I’m into smaller ones,” said Wagner, referring to how he likes to use N and S scales. According to Wagner, “The smaller the scale, the more you can get (details) in.”
The Z scale is the smallest and features an electric motor built inside the train. One vendor provided a full Z-scale model complete with little scenery inside of a briefcase to demonstrate its portable size.
However, according to Wagner, the HO scale is the most popular because not only is it a medium size, but it has all the components to make a scene. Otherwise, the components may have to be built. Many scenes exposed at the event included the North Pole, deserts, Los Angeles’ trolley system, the circus, and even local scenes involving a railroad.
According to Historical and Modeling Society member Kel Cruise, “It’s all about creativity.” He continued to talk about how one friend included a tornado in the model and how another used a Star Wars theme.
He explained how he has been interested in train models for 35 years. “Boyhood memories,” said Cruise. According to Cruise, skills that are used in train modeling include carpentry, electrical and painting. “It’s like a 3-D canvas,” he said.
The circus model seemed to be one of the biggest attractions. It featured a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and circus tents, which could be seen inside. Inside the tents included people and animals. According to Wagner, each minuscule person was hand painted. “It’s a hobby within a hobby.”
Though hobbyists use their imagination at times, the Historical and Modeling Society, which was formed in 1987, likes to develop models based on facts. “We like to show people the history of railroading,” said Wagner.
According to Wagner, the Society studies past and present railroads and the scenery around those railroads.
“We try to recreate it,” said Wagner. They even go out rail fanning, which, according to Wagner, are trips to take pictures of trains and scenery for reference. They even include the graffiti on trains because it is more realistic.
Though building a model can take years, the 45-member club is into the commitment.
“It’s a lifelong hobby,” said Cruise.