LAKEPORT >> Hidden away at the rear of the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport is one of the best kept secrets of the annual county fair: a secret empire of model trains.
The Lake County Model Railroad Club, which began on a whim almost 35 years ago, has been a part of the Lake County Fair since it moved into its current home in the old National Guard building nearly 14 years ago with a collection of tables, trains and dreams of a railroading empire.
“It began with three farsighted men who wanted to share their vision and hobby with the community,” said Bill Cossey vice-president of the LCMRRC. “We’ve come a long way since then.”
While Cossey intimated they still have plenty of work ahead of them but noted they have finished laying all the almost 800 feet of track in the 25 x 55 foot building that houses the club.
“We’ve attempted to recreate representation of what California and its railroads would have been in those days,” said Cossey.
And so they have as trains leave the big city as they traverse farmlands, vineyards and orchards as they make their way into the mountain passes of the mighty sierra and cascade ranges in a journey which takes a full 10 minutes to complete. Or one can watch as an old narrow gauge steamer makes its way across tall trestles into the logging and mining camps of the state’s mountains and forests on its journey along nearly 200 feet of branch line. In either case there’s lots to see as one moves from place to place along the layout.
Model Railroading, often referred to as the “world’s greatest hobby,” is shared by more than 250,000 Americans and more than million worldwide according to the Tennessee based National Model Railroad Association of which Cossey said the club is a proud participant in their parent organization’s “100 Percent Club” program.
“We’re able to network with modelers worldwide through the NMRA organization,” said Cossey.
Cossey went on to say that networking with other modelers is one of the primary reasons for the club allowing them not only to share their passion for the hobby but their ideas. Members also offer advice and assistance to modelers having difficulty with their own layouts encouraging hobbyists to contact them at any time.
Fair week has members scrambling to complete last minute tasks as they open their doors for their annual open house which coincides with the fair that kicks off Thursday August 31. There is no admission charge to see the trains and the exhibit will be open throughout the fair.
The LCMRRC meets Wednesday’s throughout the fair and welcomes visitors and new members at any time. For information about the club contact Cossey at 274-8636.
