Tue. Dec 10th, 2024
The Great New York State Model Train Fair
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: NYS model train fair hopes to bring a new audience to the hobby

Paul Lamonaca: The 49th annual New York State Model Train Fair was held this past weekend at the State Fairgrounds Exposition Center. Over 5,000 spectators came to exhibit some of the most intricate model train sets across the state. Not only did the show display model train sets, but it allowed for organizations to set up stands to help promote and teach the hobby.

Ed O’Rouke: Our layout that we have here is setup for kids to run, and it’s different than something that just chases itself around in circles. There’s more play value to the hobby, if you will, than just running a train around in circles.

Lamonaca: While model trains are seen as an older generation hobby, there are several organizations here today at the expo center to help promote the craft for a younger crowd. Fun Trak, a model railroad club based in Frankfurt, New York uses events like these to help cast their net for new members.

Adam Pratt: The main goal is to get people interested in model railroading, the younger generation. A lot of us do this just because…trying to make it look real, the whole realism of it.

Lamonaca: Despite model trains attracting an older crowd, the National Model Railroad Assocition believes that the hobby still remains strong in American households.

O’Rourke: We’re losing people obviously as they get older, but I also think we’re bringing in younger people. There’s more interest in it than it has been. We’re getting people who had train sets when they were kids and now they’re 40-years-old, and they’re looking for something to do with some free time, and this is something that they remember.

Lamonaca: Paul Lamonaca, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The 49th annual Great New York State Model Train Fair was held over the weekend on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3 at the New York State Fairgrounds Exhibition center in Syracuse. The fair attracted over 5,000 exhbitors along with over 300 vendors to the event.

The National Model Railroad Organization (NMRA) was in attendance to help promote and teach the craftsmanship of model train sets to the next generation.

“Our layout that we have here is setup for kids to run, and it’s different than something that just chases itself around in circles,” said Ed O’Rourke, the President of the NMRA Northeastern Region Chapter. “There’s more play value to the hobby, if you will, than just running a train around in circles.”

Fun Trak, a model railroad club based in Frankfurt comes to model train events accross New York State to help attract both new members and entice people into the hobby of model trains.

“The main goal is to get people interested in model railroading, (like) the younger generation,” said Adam Pratts, a current member of Fun Trak. “A lot of us do this just because we’re trying (to make it) look real, the whole realism of it.”

Although model railroading is typically seen as an older-generation craft, the NMRA believes the hobby holds strong in American households.

“We’re losing people, obviously, as they get older, but I also think we’re bringing in younger people. There’s more interest in it than I think than there has been,” said O’Rourke. “I think people who had trainsets when they were kids, and now they’re 40-years-old. And they’re looking for something to do with some free time, and this is something that they remember.”