Community News

Model Citizens: New attractions to be showcased at Mid-Ohio Valley Model Railroad Club’s autumn exhibit

PARKERSBURG -- A number of new attractions will be featured Saturday at the Mid-Ohio Valley Model Railroad Club's 29th Annual Fall Train Show.

Set to take place at West Virginia University at Parkersburg's on-campus student activities center, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a spacious facility and features many dealers from multiple states setting up shop behind a record 112 vendor tables, offering vintage and new model railroad equipment in many scales as well as accessories, clothing, memorabilia and historic railroad artifacts.

Among the new attractions will be an HO scale replica of old-time logging operations in the Cass, W.Va. area, complete with Shay geared steam locomotives and realistic scenery. This addition to the large HO scale modular layout was crafted by two club members.

There is also expected be in place an N scale layout, showcasing model trains, running inside a suitcase.

"These layouts are great examples of what can be done in the model railroading hobby," said club Vice President and show Chairman Tom Ratkovich. "Children, in particular, really enjoy seeing trains run at our show and open houses."

Another new feature will be the availability, for purchase, of On30 scale model steam locomotives and cars. These are O scale models of logging and freight trains, which, by their nature, are smaller than most trains. The models actually run on HO track. Narrow gauge logging trains were once prevalent in the hills and valleys of West Virginia in the early 1900s.

Rounding out the attractions new to this year's show will be a silent auction, full of model railroad items and railroad memorabilia. Proceeds from the silent auction, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will benefit the club.

Model railroading is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States and is an activity persons can participate in for the entirety of their lives, according to local experts.

"Our show is a great way for the club to let people know what's out there in the way of model railroading", said Ratkovich. "It's also a good opportunity for us to tell the story of our club and introduce people to model railroading."

The model railroading hobby is broken down into scales, the most popular of which is HO (1/87). Other major scales include O (1/48, a popular modeling scale), S (1/64, the same scale as Matchbox and Hot Wheels die-cast cars), G (1/29, utilized by garden railroaders), Standard (1/32) and N (1/160). More than two-thirds of model railroaders are in HO scale, but new items from all the major manufacturers of trains in multiple scales will be for sale at the show. Vendors will also be selling vintage and new Lionel and American Flyer electric trains.

Admission is $5 per person with youth under age 12 admitted for free. Parking is free, and an indoor concession stand will be in place.

"Our show is a good place to find unique train items, add to a collection or get started in the hobby" said Ratkovich. "It's a one-stop shop for model trains and a great time to get a jump on Christmas shopping."

Members also noted buying at a show or hobby shop has advantages over online purchases, such as knowing exactly what one is buying by being able to see and touch the item and not having to pay shipping charges and handling fees.

Some vendors at MOVMRC's Fall Train Show will be buying model trains and providing appraisal services.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Model Railroad Club, with 63 members on its roster, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and hosts a number of open houses each year at its facility in the rear basement of NOE Office Equipment at 610 Green St. in downtown Parkersburg. Closing out its 43nd year of existence, the club will host its annual Christmas Open House on Dec. 7 and also be open to guests during a visit from the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad "Santa Train" in mid-December.