Train enthusiasts pass the torch

By: E.A. Barrera - For the North County Times | Saturday, January 12, 2008 9:31 PM PST ∞

DEL MAR - Thousands of people attended "The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour" convention at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Saturday to see hundreds of model trains, hear descriptions of train history, purchase model train equipment ... and to pass along a generational torch.

"I fell for trains as a young boy, and now I have the chance to enjoy trains and models with my grandson," said Dana Wyant of Rancho Penasquitos.

Dana and his wife, Gael, brought their 9-year-old grandson, Josh, to the convention. Josh had recently enjoyed the chance to ride a real train for the first time - from San Diego to San Francisco - and was clearly having a ball operating one of the elaborate model train displays available during the convention.

So was Joseph Stearns of San Marcos, who brought 11-year-old son Joseph and 5-year-old son Jack to the convention.

"It's a fun way to spend the day with my family," said Stearns. "My dad got me interested in model trains when I was a boy, and now I can pass that on to my sons."

The model that Josh, Joseph and Jack got to operate was displayed by the North County Model Railroad Society out of Oceanside.

Wearing the traditional black-and-gray cap and blue overalls of a railroad worker, Railroad Society member Leo Valley was having as much fun interacting with the kids as the kids were operating the train.

"This is a popular attraction, since we let the kids run the train," said Valley, a retired aerospace engineer who's grandfather was employed by the Michigan Central Railroad.

Valley, who lives in Oceanside and has been a member of the Railroad Society since 2000, said a love of trains had been in his family for generations and he had proof of that with his 5-year-old grandson, Kevin, who was by his side while he managed the model site and helped the kids.

"Kevin is our youngest member," said Valley. "Our oldest member is 87 years old. This is one of the great things about model trains - the way they bring the generations together."

Convention spokesman Kurt Jablonski estimated that more than 30,000 train enthusiasts would turn out for the two-day event, which continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the fairgrounds.

Admission is $10 for adults, with children younger than 16 admitted free. For more information, contact World's Greatest Hobby on Tour at (630) 279-5094 or www.wghshow.com.

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