Bob Fasnacht has played with model trains since he was 2 years old.
Now in his mid-60s, he hopes this weekend's Southeast Garden Railroad Show in Dalton, Ga., will help pass the hobby onto a new generation.
"This is really for the kids," said Mr. Fasnacht, who traveled from Milton, Fla., along with dozens of other train lovers for the event. "This is a work of love for us. ... And all of these displays are intended to attract someone's attention."
The train show opens today at noon and will wrap up at 4 p.m. Saturday. Attendees will get a chance to view the large, garden-size trains at work in several high-detail displays.
The "garden" size runs about 18 inches long and 8 inches tall and is meant for outdoor displays. The Dalton showcase features elaborate trains cutting through picturesque cities and buildings with intricate details, moving parts and twinkling lights.
Participants traveled from Illinois, Kansas and Florida, among other states, for the show. In addition to just viewing the trains, vendors are selling all the components needed to start or add to a train collection.
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Staff Photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press Garden railroad enthusiasts from across the nation set up displays at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton on Thursday afternoon getting ready for the event. Garden railroad trains are one of the larger sizes of model trains, and are typically placed in outdoor gardens.
Organizers chose Dalton because of its proximity to population centers such as Atlanta and Chattanooga, but also because it's close to mid-Atlantic states and Florida, said David Roberts, the show's organizer.
"This is really a family friendly hobby," Mr. Roberts said. "Mom and dad can get into the gardening, and the kids enjoy the trains."
The hobby appeals to both girls and boys, said Sheryl Roberts, who puts on the show with her husband, David.
"A lot of families get involved in this now because they are gardening," Mrs. Roberts said. "They can start out small. Mom usually plants around the tracks, and dad and the kids do the track work. Even the little girls like to play with the buildings and the little people."
Five years ago, train manufacturer Aristocraft started a show in Perry, Ga., but it never drew much interest. Mr. Roberts took over the show a year ago and moved it to Dalton, where he said interest has continued to grow.
Last year, the event attracted about 800 guests. This year, Mr. Roberts said, he hopes the crowd swells to 1,600.
IF YOU GO
What: Southeast Garden Railroad Show
When: Noon-8 p.m. today; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton
How much: $10 for one day; $18 for both days; children under 16 are free
Information: 706-272-7676 or www.segrs.com
Adam Crisp covers education issues for the Times Free Press. He joined the paper's staff in 2007 and initially covered crime, public safety, courts and general assignment topics. Prior to Chattanooga, Crisp was a crime reporter at the Savannah Morning News and has been a reporter and editor at community newspapers in southeast Georgia. In college, he led his student paper to a first-place general excellence award from the Georgia College Press Association. He earned ...
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