Model train show set for today and Saturday at WNC Ag Center
By Mike Conley | The McDowell News
Re: Published: March 5, 2010
Today and Saturday, model railroad enthusiasts will get together in Fletcher for the 20th Annual Model Train Show. And a McDowell County business is one of the sponsors for this year's event.
The train show, sponsored by the WNC Model Railroaders, will be held at the Western North Carolina Ag Center in Fletcher. The event will be held today from noon to 7 p.m. It will continue on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission will be $5 for adults. Children 13 and younger will be admitted free with an adult.
Based in Asheville, the WNC Model Railroaders is a non-profit club devoted to the hobby of model railroading and train-related interests. Club members come from throughout western North Carolina. The club has held the annual train show at different places in the Asheville area but is returning this year to the Ag Center. This means plenty of free parking for attendees and vendors alike, said organizers.
Old Fort Model Trains, located at 37 E. Main St., is helping to sponsor this year's train show.
The train show will feature three or more working model railroad layouts in both HO and N scales. These detailed layouts include numerous trains, towns, mountains, tunnels and bridges. Model railroad enthusiasts and collectors will be there to demonstrate their equipment and answer questions.
More than $3,000 worth in raffle prizes will be given away too.
Dealers from throughout the Southeast will be there with a wide assortment of model locomotives, rolling stock, buildings and scenery for layouts. More than 100 tables will be set up at the event. Dealers will sell books, posters and videos about trains. Some of these will feature the trains and railroad landmarks of western North Carolina and McDowell County. You can expect to find books, videos and old photographs of Andrews Geyser, the tunnels and loops at Altapass and the Marion and Old Fort depots. Dealers will also have engineer caps, whistles and toys for the youngsters.
In addition, some actual railroad equipment will be on display including Fairmont speeders. These are maintenance-of-way motorized vehicles formerly used on railroads by track inspectors and work crews to move quickly to and from work sites. Some vintage speeders that have been restored will be on exhibit at the train show.
To get to the Ag Center, take Interstate 40 west to Interstate 26. You will get off I-26 at Exit 40 and follow the signs. Enter at Gate No. 5 for free parking.
For more information about the train show, contact Fred Coleman by calling (828) 699-0983 or by emailing fred_coleman@bellsouth.net.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 7:53AM 
