Families blow off some steam at train hobby show
Forget about racing miniature slot cars around a track. At this weekend's train show mounted by World's Greatest Hobby, children lined up to race model trains.
The display was one of 200 booths that drew thousands of people -- many of them families with young children -- to the opening day at Schaumburg's convention center.
The nationally touring train show returns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults, with children under 16, free. The show will not return to the Chicago area for five or more years.
"We grew up with trains, and now they're into it, too," said John Aiello of Arlington Heights, with his 5-year-old son, Jack, and 8-year-old nephew, Anthony, in tow.
Jeff Magnaini of Brookfield watched as his 5-year-old son, Nick, pushed buttons to light up all of the accessories -- from streetlights to a fire -- around the modular layout, built by the Lionel Operating Train Society.
"He loves trains," Magnaini said as he tried to keep up with his youngster. "We're hoping Santa brings one."
Seeing so many young families pour through the entrance pleased one of the show managers, Dave Swanson, who said the tour's main mission is to draw younger participants into train hobbying.
"It's becoming an aging hobby, so we're trying to reverse that trend," Swanson said. "We figure if we can get them before they get their driver's license, then we have a chance."
He pointed to the hobby's new trends as ways to draw in younger members, including computer-controlled effects, such as adding smoke and real train sounds.
When patrons entered the show, they found manufacturers at the front of the massive convention hall offering everything from different scales of train cars to scenery elements, including a demonstration by Woodland Scenics on how to create scenes.
Tom Dickey of Arlington Heights searched for pre-World War II parts to enhance his home layout.
"I like the art deco aspect of it, and that you have the ability to restore them," Dickey said. "It blends history with model trains."
Working their way toward the middle of the hall, patrons found retailers selling train accessories, including hats, T-shirts, paintings, photos and other gifts.
In the back, a children's hands-on play area offered youngsters a place to blow off some steam. They paddled train cars around a track, before playing with the selection of more than 100 Thomas the Tank Engine trains on hand.
The back of the hall also featured many of the model railroad clubs and train enthusiasts, who drew steady crowds with their huge displays.
A Christmas show displayed by Morris Hochberg of Warrenville featured as many as 17 trains going at one time, all on a snow-covered layout, circling Christmas trees, and with colorful lights enhancing the effect.
Another, designed by Joe Ellenbecker of Oswego, mixed LEGO blocks and train parts to come up with a colorful display.
A display featuring Thomas the Tank Engine trains around a replica of the Island of Sodor drew families to surround it, including Joan and Hugh Brems of Geneva, with their 2-year-old granddaughter, Nora.
"We're building an HO layout together in my basement," Hugh Brems said, referring to a specific train size. "We're having a lot of fun together."
If you go
What: World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Where: Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today
Admission: $10, free for children 16 and younger
Call: (630) 279-5094 or www.wghshow.com.