ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, train enthusiasts of all ages enjoyed an inaugural event at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
The Gladstone Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority hosted a Railroad Day at the Antique Village. Guests watched a blacksmith turn railroad spikes into knives, enjoyed food from The Little Red Caboose, and explored the Antique Village.
One of the highlights of the villlage was the Upper Michigan Central Model Railroad Club open house. The club’s display fill two rooms, with lots of treasures hidden throughout for those with a sharp eye to find.
“We try to model if after the town of Escanaba and the railroad part of Escanaba,” said club secretary Thomas Moulds. “We try to make it as lifelike as possible. I’m actually a retired railroader, and it never gets out of your blood. We can’t be around the real ones anymore, so the only thing that we can do now is we play with model trains.”
Railroad Day coincided with the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society Convention, which brought more than 100 people from across the country to The Island Resort & Casino for the weekend. Click here for more information on the convention.
Follow the Upper Michigan Central Model Railroad Club on Facebook for updates on future open houses.
