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LAKEPORT, Calif. – There was a time when names such as Empire Builder, Coast Daylight and City of New Orleans prompted images of luxurious hotels on wheels. Those were the days when the railroads ruled and massive steam locomotives were king.
Those days are still alive, although on a much smaller scale, thanks to the members of the Lake County Model Railroad Club, who have recreated the early 1950s in their miniature empire located in the old Armory Building at the rear of the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
“We’ve attempted to capture small glimpses of what California was like when the railroad was still the major mover of people and goods,” longtime club member Bill Cossey said. “We combine our hobby with a lesson in history to tell a story.”
While Cossey mentioned that all the major trackwork has been completed on their layout that just about completely fills the 40- by 60-foot building, the members are focusing their attention to the scenery and other details that bring the empire to life.
Visitors can imagine seeing a large freight or passenger train leaving Los Angeles working its way through the Sierra Nevada mountains before ending it’s journey in Sacramento.
“We’ve even captured the flavor of the old narrow gauge railroads that served the logging and mining areas of the state,” Cossey said. “You might even spot buildings you recognize.”
Cossey said the club’s plans include modeling a section of downtown Petaluma because of its railroad history and members Dennis Burke and Dave Fromer plan to model historic Lake County structures as well.
“You might find yourself staring at the Stonehouse from Hidden Valley or the Prather Brother’s lumber company in Lakeport,” Cossey said. “We model whatever catches our interest.”
Club members also belong to the larger National Model Railroad Association and its Redwood Empire Division that includes the coastal counties from Marin to the Oregon border.
“We host the annual fall meeting in November at our club,” Cossey said of the daylong event that features modeling classes and ends in a large operating session.
The club has been in existence for close to 20 years although in its infancy it lacked a permanent home and had to settle on a more portable operation that the members set up and took down every night.
“We needed a permanent home and fortunately nearly eight years ago the Lake County Fair made are dreams come true when we moved into the old armory building and began planning our new railroad,” Cossey said.
Noting that the club has made substantial progress during the eight years they’ve been at the fairgrounds, there is still the time consuming process of recreating the towns and countryside in miniature.
Those interested in viewing the club’s operation may do so during its annual open house held in conjunction with the Lake County Fair, which begins Thursday, Sept. 2, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 5.
The club also welcomes visitors and new members every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact Dave Fromer at 707-987-3542 for further information about the group.
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