HOBBIES
Trains have always been a huge segment of the model
world, but today’s engines have kept up with technology
as it manages to retain the original charm. These trains
feature incredibly realistic sound and work in tandem
with the lighting and scenery around them. The TCMRRC
track even has a massive thundercloud that flashes lightning
Coralie Reich,
4, loves how
fast the trains go
around the track.
Port St. Lucie Magazine 35
and cracks thunder over one segment.
On “run nights” when members work their individual
trains, there are even near collisions as fast-moving trains
bear down on slower models. That makes for more fun
than the old trains, which simply circled a big track and
chugged out an occasional tiny puff of smoke.
“Even Lionel trains are all controlled digitally now, and
Bachman has Bluetooth so you can control the trains from
your smartphones,” says member John Bond.
It is the technology that members hope will attract
young hobbyists to the club.
“Technology is amazing,” says Kevin Shoop. “LED and
digital technology has advanced model railroading by
light years.”
“Kevin is a master at LEDs,” Bond says. “There are
three lines all interconnected by a panel for switching. The
sound is also controlled digitally.”
“That’s what really sells these locomotives: the sound,”
says John Scesny, an 11-year member and former president.
“They can run six to eight trains at the same time
because the track itself is hot so anyone can set up their
locomotive to operate on the whole section of track.”
“That’s the beauty of the computer control,” says Bond.
“In the old days you would have to have an isolated
electrical section so that one train could operate in that >>
Club members, left to right, John Davies, Mark Davia, Bob Gastaldi, John Scesny, Ken Greenstein, Larry Bahler, Bob Wiseman and Bill Baio stand in front
of the former fire station that houses the Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club.