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Model Railroad Holiday Display Delights at Oak Crest

Danielle Rexrode
October 11, 2024
Model Railroad Holiday Display Delights at Oak Crest

Like watching It's a Wonderful Life and taking photos with Santa, visiting the train garden at Oak Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Parkville, Md., is a holiday tradition for many families. 

However, for members of the community's Model Railroad Club, model railroading isn't just an annual event--it's a year-round hobby. 

"It's more technical and involved than just setting up a track around a Christmas tree. It's not just running trains--it's also the maintenance of the tracks and the electronics that keep them running," explains member Joe Kaspar. 

The Model Railroad Club was formed in 1999 with eight members. Today, nearly three dozen members oversee the elaborate two-room train display with almost 400 feet of track. 

Little local landmarks

The trains wind through a miniature town with authentic-looking storefronts, farms, a ski lift, Ferris wheel, lighthouse, burning building, and various local landmarks, including the former Bethlehem Steel plant in Dundalk, Md. 

"I look at model railroading as theater," Joe says. "You have the layout, which is the stage. Then, there is the scenery and the lighting. Lastly, you have the actors, who in this scenario are the trains."

The section dedicated to Baltimore also features the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, an Inner Harbor scene, a Coast Guard cutter, heliport, and a detailed replica of Memorial Stadium--built by members of Oak Crest's wood and hobby shop. 

"There is an artistic side to the whole process. You are trying to replicate what 'was' and bring realism to the overall layout that makes the whole experience. Ninety-nine percent of the time, when someone walks in the room and sees the display, their reaction is, 'Wow!'" says Joe.

Fun for all ages 

Club member Al Palewicz loves to watch children's faces light up when they see the trains for the first time.

"They are so impressed because there are all sorts of buttons you can press that make things happen," says Al. "For example, when you go past the stockyard, if you push the button, all the cows start mooing. There is also a carousel that goes around and plays circus music. And, of course, when the kids are excited, the adults are excited too." 

Al is a newer member of the club, but he's been a model railroad enthusiast since he was a kid. 

"Growing up, we always had Christmas gardens and a train display. We looked forward to it every year. When my kids were old enough, I introduced them to it, and they had a good time with it," notes Al. 

Variety of trains and experience 

The club maintains more than 30 unique locomotives, including freight, military, maintenance, and passenger trains. As many as six trains can run simultaneously--provided there are enough club members on hand to keep track of them all! 

"There are two things you must consider with model railroading; one is power and the other is radius. The bigger the engine, the larger the radius of a curve it needs. If the engine is too long, it can't make the curve and it will jump the track," says Al.

Model Railroad Club members particularly enjoy the camaraderie of working together. Each member's area of expertise is leveraged to care for the electrical components, such as the functioning warning lights and track crossing gates; sound effects; and scenery and other landscaping elements. 

"The fascinating part about model railroading is that there are so many disciplines. To become proficient in all of them takes years. We pride ourselves in training residents who want to learn, so that they can enjoy the hobby themselves," says Joe. 

Labor of love

For the second year, the holiday display will include a circus train designed and donated by Joe, a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus historian and circus model builder. 

"I created a scaled replica of the 1947 circus train, which is now at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wis. I had enough models remaining that I could put together a circus train for our club's layout," says Joe.

Join in!

Joe and Al encourage people to get engaged in the hobby and invite their Oak Crest neighbors to see what the club is about. 

 "We have held meetings for people who are interested. It's a great way to get everyone up to speed as to what we do and how we do it," explains Al. 

The model railroad is open to visitors every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. During the holiday season, the train room will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but offers additional hours on November 29, 30, and December 7, 14, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

FLOOR PLAN: 

Brighton

One bedroom, one bath

You'll have plenty of space to host family and friends in the Brighton! Have a game night in the open living area and serve up crowd favorites in your updated kitchen--all while surrounded by fresh, modern finishes. 

Request a brochure to learn more about our floor plan options, which come in a range of sizes to meet every need and budget.

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