Train lovers and history buffs will gather this weekend to celebrate a significant part of the nation’s heritage.

Thursday, March 16, 2000

Train lovers and history buffs will gather this weekend to celebrate a significant part of the nation’s heritage.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society will co-sponsor the 16th annual Tri-State Model Railroad Show March 18-19.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, said Paul Verespy, Greenbo park recreation director.

"We’re hoping within Saturday and Sunday to have between 5,000 and 6,000 people stop by," Verespy said. "Right now, we have enough for 75 vendor tables and they are all taken. Plus we’ll have model train layouts. And the vendors will sell anything related to railroads."

Serious collectors or amateurs will be able to find model trains, railroad magazines, buttons, locks, spikes and old Chesy items like cups, china and silverware, Verespy said.

"We’re located in the middle of railroad country – Russell, Ky.," he said. "We’ll have railroad films, videos, operating trains and an antique pump hand car you can take a ride on."

Events such as these that celebrate the railroad seem to attract many people, Verespy added.

"I just think there’s a love of trains," he said. "It was the only mode of transportation at one time and it has been a big part of the economy and history of our country. Once railroads get in your blood, it stays there."

The model train show is free to the public, Verespy said.

"And it’s a family event – something for all ages," he said. "I just hope we have good weather. I’m looking forward to a good turnout.

The Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is located on Highway 1711 in Kentucky. From Ashland, Ky, take U.S. 23 to Greenup, Ky. Turn onto Kentucky 1. Travel 10 miles to get to Kentucky 1711.