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December 9, 2005Festival of Trains on track for holiday openingNostalgia aside, a steaming train chugging and choo-ing through winter whiteness is enough to get anyone in the mood for the holidays.Though slowly becoming anachronistic, trains in all of their glory will be feted at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center's Festival of Trains, running Dec. 17 through Jan. 2. For years, local train enthusiasts have displayed their miniature modules crafted painstakingly during the warmer months. The show used to be at the City Opera House but moved to the Heritage Center in 2003. The 24-member Northern Michigan Railroad Club combine their skills, time and materials each year for the show, which is a fundraiser for the Heritage Center. Six different layouts feature everything from a burning house, a "working" sawmill, merry-go-rounds and a Santa Claus train. Every year the exhibits change to reflect the interests of the enthusiasts who dedicate their time and energy to the project. Bill Parrish, the president of the railroad club, says that even though over 4,500 people will pour through the doors, he's never had kids - big or little - blatantly disrespect the exhibits. "We certainly have no problems with the kids destroying things," said Parrish, who helped with the exhibit back when it was at the downtown Opera House. "Actually, we run into problems with the adults more than with the children." Parrish said a common mishap with the adults occurs when they try to lean in and look closely at something. "They lean on the track and as they're looking, an O gauge engine weighing about five pounds will come and hit them," he said. "Sometimes it's kind of funny." One of the largest gauges - the O - is a big hit with kids big and small. The classic Lionel set-up has over 30 different items for kids to play with, including a flashing lighthouse and a Thomas the Tank Engine. It takes up a lot of space, measuring 40 by 24 feet, but since each member is responsible for a single 3- by 5-foot piece, it comes together nicely, said Parrish. Most of the other modules are smaller, but no less fun. Each was built to accommodate the eye level of a child or a person in a wheelchair. Keeping access open to all was integral in the Heritage Center's plan for the Festival of Trains, said Daniel Truckey, the center's executive director. During the mornings of December 19-21, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District special needs children will have a chance to check out the show, free of charge. "They really love it," said Truckey, who expects over 200 children to come. "The layouts are designed to be wheelchair-friendly." Other than the Heritage Days festival in September, the Festival of Trains is the center's largest fundraiser. Each year the center earns about $10,000 from the event, said Truckey. "Having the volunteers from the railroad club is so important to us," he said. "Without them we wouldn't be able to do the show." The schedule for the festival is as follows: Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 18, 12-5 p.m.; Dec. 19-23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed on Dec. 25; Dec. 26-30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for children 6-12, ages 5 and under are free. Families can buy family passes for $20.
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