Model Trains Show Rolls On

PLANT CITY - A model train show and swap meet proved to be a big hit March 15.

The H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society used the spacious Trinkle center at Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus to stage its 18th annual event.

"The new venue was convenient both for the many vendors who showed their wares and for the 500 visitors who bought tickets for the event," said Gilbert Thomas, secretary of the railroad club. "We also had 200 vendors and guests who set up displays, selling everything from model railroad accessories to clothes and jewelry."

Formerly, the event was held at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. The club has its main display in the building and holds meetings there. The red brick, three-story building is owned by the city and leased to the East Hillsborough Historical Society.

"In the past it was difficult for the vendors and visitors to negotiate the three floors used to exhibit the displays and swap meet items," Thomas said. "To move the venue we had to build modular sets that could be transported and reassembled at the site."

The train show and swap meet attract vendors and visitors from all over the state.

"There are model train shows almost weekly across the state," said John Jankowich," the railroad club president. "It's more than a hobby to many of the people involved. It is a business to some and a lifestyle to many."

The show was open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event involved three rooms and about 15,000 square feet of floor space.

"Many of the vendors came early to set up their displays," Thomas said. "Some of the modular train displays take hours to unpack and assemble."

All in all, there were several thousand feet of operating train tracks carrying model trains of all sizes throughout the display area.

Keith Marr, a railroad enthusiast from Lakeland, came dressed in a railroad engineer's uniform. Although he has never worked for the railroad, he is a member of Operation Lifesaver, a national public education safety organization sponsored by national rail companies.

"Our organization is involved in public awareness regarding highway railroad crossing safety issues," Marr said. "I love to attend model railroad shows like this one. The amount of skill needed to develop these models is amazing."

Robert West, an artist working out of Atlanta, was the guest artist at the show. West had a display of his original paintings and prints available for sale during the event.

"I am a railroad illustrator," West said. "I have painted railroads of all models and eras for the past 18 years. I was pleased that the railroad historical society in Plant City invited me to come and display my works."

West did more than just come to Plant City and set up his easels. He painted a vintage Atlantic Coastline train passing through Plant City on the Tampa to Orlando line, racing past the State Theatre near the historical railroad depot.

West's original acrylics and numbered lithograph prints are considered collectors items. His renderings can be seen at www.trainpaintings .com.

"We are delighted with the response we got from Mr. West," Thomas said. "His Plant City illustration is beautifully done, with the distinctive purple on silver Coastline engine streaming through downtown a spectacular sight."

John Setlow, a member of the local railroad club, helped set up the N-scale modular train built by the club for the show.

Club members help build the scenery, lay the track and install the electronics, Setlow said.

"Everyone brings a skill that can help complete the set. It's fun to see it all set up. I know the visitors to each show appreciate the work that goes into it," he said.

The H. B. Plant Railroad Historical Society is named for railroad developer Henry B. Plant. The club's Web site is at www.hbplantrr.org.