Tiny railroads bring big smiles

All aboard – Bob Munro of Windsor, a retiree of the New York Central Railroad, visited the Essex Railway Station as part of his trip to the 2010 Model Toy and Train Show.

By Andy Comber - March 3, 2010

A fascination surrounds trains and railroads, so much so that many children grow up wishing to be a locomotive engineer. For some, it's a dream come true.

"I work for CN as an engineer," said Gary Clark.

A member of the Chatham Model Railroad Club, Clark was keeping some smaller trains on the track this past weekend as he took part in Heritage Essex's 15th Annual Model Toy and Train Show at Essex District High School.

Now 42 years old, Clark said his childhood fascination with trains put him on track for a career in the railroad industry. He was hired on as a brakeman in 1987 and an engineer for freight trains two years later.

"Every little kid fantasizes about being an engineer," Clark said. "I can truly say my hobby led me to my job."

Fascination was all over the faces of children watching the model trains make their way around the track.

It was the first time at the show for four-year-old Cohen Savard of Stoney Point who proudly wore an engineer's cap.

"He could stay here forever, he just loves it," said mom Neely.

Ross and Laura Margerison of Lakeshore brought their three-year-old son, Ben, for a return visit. The youngster has a large-size model train with an engine he can ride on.

"It came with tracks, but now that he found it can go without them, he drives it all over the house," said Laura.

Complete with engineer cap, Bob Munro of Windsor was clearly no child – but he was not about to reveal his age.

Retired from the New York Central Railroad, Munro was in town to check out the Essex Railway Station before taking in the model train show.

"I've loved trains all my life," he said.

A coin show and antique appraisal was also held at the station as a part of the event. There, Brenda Simard of Essex learned a little more about a treasured cameo given to her by her grandmother. It features a woman's portrait carved in shell, circa the 1880s.