All aboard! The local railroad club continues to pull on the tracks

For Richard Small, his passion for trains is a real family business.

The local man, who has always enjoyed rail travel and counts many family members as former railwaymen, opted to take that passion to the next level and become a member of the Midland District Railway Club a few years ago.

“I was born into a railroad family,” says Small, who notes he’s excited about the return of the Northlander passenger train, which will make 16 stops as it travels between Toronto and Cochrane.

“There’s nothing like going by train.”

The club is holding its annual weekend show at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for children.

“It’s massive,” Small says of the show that continues to appeal to both the young and the young at heart.

“We have people coming from all over southern Ontario and some from Powassan and New Liskeard up north.”

The show features a diverse collection of model railroads not only from North America but also from the United Kingdom.

“There’s a wide variety of setups,” Small says, adding that one of the host club’s offerings is a modular setup, meaning members contribute various items, trains and tracks to build a full-scale railroad that measures 50 feet by 20 feet.

As for the local rail club, the organization’s roots date back to the mid-to-late 1980s, when a group of people gathered to enjoy all things trains and railroads, according to Small, who was involved in the last two decades.

In 1989, the club held its first train show at the Midland Civic Center (now the local courthouse) on Yonge Street.

“From there, the show grew in size over the years,” says Small. “We now cover the entire rink area at the North Simcoe Sports and Rec Centre. Vendors and exhibitors come from all over to see and buy that item they need to use in their look. Or just to see the amazing aspects traveling from just as far away.”

The club currently has approximately 25 active members, ranging in age from 10 to 93.

“Prospective members are always welcome to come and visit us,” says Small. “We are located at the Huronia Airport and meet on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.”

For more information about the club, visit the Facebook page.