The Clickety-Clack Of The Train On The Track
This model train moves through one of the many lay-outs at the Penn Central Railroad Club.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Penn Central’s model railroad club had many guests on Saturday as the Train Show made its stop for everyone to enjoy.
There were people of all ages browsing the vast assortment of model railroad parts for sale. Vendors from across the state came to buy and sell. This year, 60 vendors made their way to Oskaloosa . That number is the most the club has ever hosted, and according to organizers, it continues to grow every year.
The vendor show was originally started by Gene and Judy Phillips of Wood-n-Stuff. Nearly 4 years ago the couple handed the show over to the Penn Central Model Railroad Club.
So, a stop at the display in the mall will bring you back to childhood days of the bells clanging, and wheels making their way along the track, clickety-clack. Things may be much smaller than the real deal, but the spirit of these engineers keeps them interested for a lifetime.
Currently, the club is headed by Jim Hoyt. Hoyt said that events like those on Saturday “are awful important”, not only for the train club itself, but also to the community. “It’s a big deal to me,” added Jim.
The side-effects of a stroke may have slowed Jim down some, but the love and passion for the hobby is evident in Jim’s voice and eyes as he talks about his hobby.
Jim’s wife, Peggy Hoyt, said that the train show has had “a lot bigger attendance than we figured”.
Peggy remembers how Jim’s interest and love for the hobby goes back to before their time together began, when they met in 1973. “He had a layout upstairs at his parents’ house.”
Life kept the couple busy, and the hobby fell to the side for many years, but Jim and Peggy returned to the hobby after Jim’s stroke. “The club helped us make a lay-out,” said Peggy.
The thing that becomes evident by speaking to the club’s members is that it’s a community within a community.
The hobby is not limited to any specific age group. With youth in 7th grade to individuals in their 80’s, the desire to be a part of something special like the railroad club continues to draw new members.
You can find the Penn Central Railroad Club in the heart of Penn Central Mall, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
