Railfest Ohio Train Show at Lakeland Community College a staple in the community - The News Herald
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A long line of model train railroaders and collectors formed at Lakeland Community College for the Railfest Ohio Train Show.
The show, scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 15 and 16 at the school, 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland, is the largest continuous running two-day show of its kind in Ohio. Since 1984, a large number of model railroad dealers, as well as many operating model railroad layouts and displays have been featured at the show.
This year is John Ward’s first year as chairman of the Railfest.
“It’s been a learning experience,” he said. “The gentleman before me did it for many years and decided to retire, so I took over.”
Ward has been a member of the Western Reserve Division, Division 5, of the National Model Railroad Association for the last five years and has volunteered at the show for the last three.
“We’ve been here at Lakeland since 1997,” Ward said. “It started at (a Cleveland high school), and they quickly outgrew it. Over the years, it’s gotten bigger and bigger. It’s a staple in the community.”
Last year, roughly 5,000 people visited the show over two days, Ward said.
“A lot of them are model railroaders, so either they already have a layout they’re adding to or upgrading,” he said. “You get collectors who are coming to look for train collections or an engine. You also get families. We’re always encouraging the next generation, so we have some layouts kids get a kick out of. We have a layout kids can actually run, so hopefully it’s fun for the whole family.”
Throughout the show, the stories shared among those in attendance are generational, Ward said, noting that those who’ve gotten into model railroading have done so because they have had family members get into it.
“We’ve heard stories, ‘I had a model train as a kid,'” he said. “Now, they work for a train company.”
Model trains also have been a part of Ward’s life for a long time, he said.
“My dad had a Lionel train, and I got away from it for many years, but I started getting older and became an empty nester,” Ward said. “I thought, ‘I’m going to start my model railroad thing again.’ I’ve been doing my layout since 2017. The fun of it: Your layout is never done. Ever. You always change or upgrade something.”
The Western Reserve Division strives to get as much feedback as possible, as members are always looking for ways to improve the show, Ward said.
“We have 80 vendors and exhibitors here, and about 350 tables worth of stuff in six rooms,” he said. “A lot of people say they like the selection of scenery. Even train memorabilia and things like that. We also have a photographer here who takes pictures of trains, so he’s got his work for sale.”
As the division is a nonprofit, the show produces revenue to run the division for the year.
“We do a lot of community things,” Ward said. “We plan on being here at Lakeland as long as they can have us. It’s a nice, big venue, and it gives us a lot of options.”