A train leaves its station. It is heading out on a journey through giant mountains, vast landscapes, and winding tracks. Snaking left and right, the train will continue on its path, maneuvering through tunnels and over bridges until it reaches its destination.

However, unlike most trains, this one carries no luggage, no cargo and no passengers. Additionally, its destination will be the same place as its starting point. Another very important element that differentiates this train from most others is a human being can pick it up.
The Model Railway Club of Lethbridge held an open house this past weekend displaying their elaborately designed layouts to the public.
“It’s a way to show the public what we are doing,” says Stuart Wilcocks, layout supervisor with the club. “People who are interested may not be aware that the club is around.”
Indeed, the open house allowed people a close look at model trains and the vast possibilities available through miniature models.
The event featured two displays, a smaller one accessible to the public and a larger one which was walled off.
The main, larger layout naturally commanded the attention of all those present at the open house. Taking up a majority of the classroom-sized building, the main layout displayed nearly every element of a countryside in which a train may visit.
“The detail brings it to life,” says Joe Hamachar, a member of the club. “The wildlife, the animals – bears and cows – all of the details.”
The main display has been in operation since the ‘70s, and it still is not completely finished. That is where the Model Railway Club comes in. Meeting every Tuesday, the club spends its time working on the layouts, repairing equipment and constructing the buildings.
Having been interested in model railways since the age of seven, Wilcocks has been a longtime member of the club and has seen the main display through much of its development.
“When we decide what we want to add on a specific scene, we will buy specific kits and build the buildings. There is a basic plan to the layout and we try and fill in the spaces with different stores and different types of buildings.”
Though the layout in the open house is a permanent fixture, many of the club members have their own layouts displayed at their houses.
“You can spend up to 1,000 hours building a model, depending on how big it is,” says Wilcocks. “In building the model railroad, you have to be a Jack-of-all-trades.”
However, Wilcocks does insist that the club is open to people of all ages and of all skill levels.
“I built my grandson a layout when he was nine, and he still works on it now at the age of 14,” he says.
Wilcocks touted the two-day open house as being quite a success, attracting more visitors on the Saturday showing than they did in their entire two-day open house last fall.