ALL ABOARD FOR FUN, FRIENDSHIP

by
Helen M. Davis

There’s something about watching a model train traverse a track that captures the imagination. From the small cars that meander through miniature scenes of mountain passes studded with tiny trees and over little trestles spanning artificial rivers, it is like glimpsing another, more tranquil, less harried world.

For members of Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Club, model trains are a passion and as, club president Walt Mulford puts it, “A very pleasant escape from real life.”

The club has been in existence since 1978 and originally met in the old EWEB (Eugene Water & Electric Bureau) building by the Willamette River. When EWEB moved its headquarters to west Eugene, the Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Club began holding its monthly meetings at EPUD (Emerald Peoples Utility District) before settling into a room at Springfield Utility District. Occasionally, a scheduling conflict will arise, but the club is not deterred by this and will simply meet in the parish hall at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Veneta.

During the meetings, members, numbering currently at 68, and ranging in age from 10 on up, gather to share their love of model railroading and will hold a “Show & Tell” where old railroad movies are viewed and things such as scenery techniques, tools and materials are discussed as well as home layouts. As President, Mulford runs the meetings, and at every meeting a raffle is held with tickets being sold at a price of five for a dollar. Prizes include scenery, rolling stock such as cars, wheels, and couplers, car kits and buildings. Money earned helps pay for the club’s annual picnic, which is always held at a venue that is, of course, railroad related.

The club is more than just meetings, however. The club sets up layouts at Valley River Center, the Lane County Fair, the Benton County Fair, Drain, and at the Logging Conference that is held at the Lane County Fairgrounds where wood product hauling trains are set up. It is the club’s way of bringing model railroading to the public and sometimes they even get paid for doing what they love.

Putting on these displays is the task of the module committee, one of several within the club. They are responsible for the set-up and determining what the layout will look like as well as the maintenance of the modules, as the scenes are called. There is also a communication committee that oversees the club’s website and newsletter and emails, a construction committee that builds new modules to replace ones that have worn out and a financial committee that is overseen by the club Treasurer. A Vice President and a Secretary who records meeting minutes round out the positions held by club members.

Mulford says the club’s committees are active and strong, as is its Board. He agreed to run for President as he admits to being more of a facilitator. He was elected in February.

For the past thirty years, the club has held a swap meet at the Lane County Fairgrounds that hosts vendors from Idaho, Southern California, Nevada, Washington, and, of course, Oregon, who rent space. The club also charges admission and money earned from the swap meet goes into the coffers. Vendors, as well as family members, also sell model trains at club meetings.

To become a member of Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Club, one must merely possess a love of model railroading. Nobody is expected to be an expert as it is a learn as you go sort of organization. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and personal along with political interests are left at the door. This is a place where people come to enjoy themselves and forget about the stresses of life for a while. It is a place where friendships are formed over a shared interest and memories are made. It is a place where laughter is shared, and men become little boys once again. Women are welcomed, though no members are presently female.

Model railroads grab one’s attention in a way that other things don’t. A world within a world, they challenge the creativity of the ones who construct the modules and provide a sense of accomplishment when track is laid out, scenery set up and the train is buzzing along in its own wee world. It’s a way to bring joy to those who come to see the setups and a way to bring people together who otherwise might never meet. It’s model railroading. It’s a calling, it’s a life, its joy.

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Club President Walt Mulford