Choo, Choo...All ABOARD!!

Saturday, Feb. 11th, there was a Model Train Show at the Expo Center in Chantilly. We took the whole family to see the exhibits and supplies available at this "World's Greatest Hobby on Tour." Recently Bill borrowed a library video about Building Your Own Model Railroad, so he and the kids were geared up for this huge exhibition.
Apparently trains are big in this area, because the place was packed with other parents, mostly Dads, and their children in tow. Speaking of towing, there was a life-sized model train and they were giving free rides on it for parents and children alike. After waiting in line about 23 minutes (Caleb was counting), we finally heard the "All Aboard!" call, and started our 2 minute trip around the corner of the arena.

There were plenty of other hands-on type of activities for the little ones: a huge carpeted area complete with what must have been 50 Thomas the Tank engine train sets, and probably about 20 Thomas the Tank Engine play tents. Looking at the way the train sets were being (ab)used, I was wondering how many pieces of the sets would need to be replaced after the show. Since we were in the "Thomas" section, Jacob wanted to get a Thomas the Tank Engine hat (his middle name is Thomas).
They had wooden Thomas train set displays, too, and many more electric trains to watch or play with. One bigger sized model on the floor had an electric switch that Rachel and Renee were able to control to make the train go forwards, backwards or stop.

The Northern Virginia N Track modular train club had a layout that was HALF A MILE long! Each member works on a section and they all fit together in a LARGE rectangle, or whatever shape they need. Very neat!
Even Disney was represented with their replica of the Disneyland theme park, and the Disneyworld park that is under construction. For $4000, you, too, could have your very own working model of the Disneyland theme park. It is beautiful, but I think I'll pass this time.

Another club, the Prince William Model Railroad Club, has a model of Bristow railroad crossing, which is really close to our house. I just found Olde Town Manassas and Manassas Depot on their website, too.
There was another display entirely of Legos, complete with a replica of a train station and metro trains.
Front & Back of Lego Train depot:

















An interesting display of King Kong:









And a building on fire:









We discussed the type of train layout we would like to do as a family if we ever actually got the basement cleaned up. I think we would like to start with a Civil War era model of the Manassas Train depot.