Model train enthusiasts in Bracebridge had a place to stay dry and enjoy their hobby.
The Muskoka Model Railway Show is taking place for two days at the JD Lang Fairgrounds.
Clubs from as far away as Earlton, north of North Bay, have brought their complex layouts for kids of all ages to enjoy. The themes are mostly from the local areas the clubs come from, with Ontario Northland rolling stock a popular fixture.
This is the 21st edition of the show, though it was on a brief hiatus before making a comeback two years ago. Show organizer Scott White said the wet conditions were helping with attendance.
“We usually get no more than 500 people in a weekend, but with the rain that could go up,” said White.
The show features all scales of model railroad paraphernalia and gives a chance for hobbyists from different areas to talk shop and share tricks of the trade.
“It’s for everybody,” said White. “For us big kids and us small kids.”
He said it is a great Father’s Day out that will involve the whole family.
The size of the layouts is impressive and much more so when you start considering the logistics of breaking a setup down to a moveable size.
“Everything breaks down to six-foot modules,” said Andrew Hirst who brought a large layout with his club mates from Earlton. “We put our rail joints in, plug ‘er into the connections in the bottom. We have one trailer and it all fits in on racks.”
The show continues today from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Admission is $5 at the door for adults, kids six and to 12, $3 and kids under six are free.
