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Article published Jul 15, 2009 Festival fun: All aboard at History Center
A freight train car derailed Tuesday morning in Fort Wayne, flipping onto its side and skidding into a ditch. Disaster response consisted of conductor Rich Barnhart shutting off the power, picking the car up and placing it back on the rails. The train was chugging down the tracks again within seconds.
Barnhart, 65, is a member of the Three Rivers and Northern Indiana Railroad Association, a local club for model railroad hobbyists. The club is running a historic model railroad exhibit in the History Center at 302 E. Berry St. as part of the Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival.
The exhibit includes a running model railroad complete with a fully operational freight yard and replica of Monroeville as it looked in the early 20th century. According to Blane Ryan of Monroeville, another club member who is in charge of the exhibit, the display has drawn a robust crowd.
“Oh, man, we've been busy,” said Ryan, 51, who teaches social studies at South Side High School when he's not railroading. “We've just had a lot of fun.” Ryan said the exhibit, which has been part of the festival for the last four years, seems to bring more visitors every year. It's especially popular among youngsters, he said.
Alisa Wahl, 34, and her three children traveled from Orlando, Fla., to visit relatives in Fort Wayne. While in town, Wahl took the kids to the History Center. “My favorite part is when it goes really fast,” said Cooper Wahl, 6, as he watched the train pass.
But the fascination with the tiny trains isn't limited to the young. “I've been into trains since I was a kid,” said Bob Boyd, 70, of New Haven. Boyd said he had only recently started building his own model train collection. “I'm not going with any of the diesel engines. I'm using the steam engines,” said Boyd, who is interested in the historical aspect of railroading. “In fact, this is a little too modern for me.”
Ryan hopes to instill a similar interest in history through the display. “This is a great way for people to learn a little about railroad history,” he said.
Mostly, though, it's just for the fun. “It's a happy addiction to have,” said Ryan.