came from Lynchburg, Roanoke, Bedford, Rocky Mount, even as far away as
Charleston to admire the handiwork of our local “engineers” and “city planners”.
Kids of all ages showed up.
“Gray haired kids with their grandchildren in tow come each year to reminisce
and see trains they remember from childhood,” Jim said. “Plus, they love to see
what we’ve added to our layouts.”
Layout hosts like Jim and Herbert work hard to prepare for this event and to
make their displays “visitor ready”, Jerry pointed out, adding that allowing
people in their homes to see these museum quality model train layouts is a
special favor to the community.
Jim is the retired owner of a customwoodworking andmillwork supply company.
His wife, Ginny, is a retired college professor. They moved to the Lake in 2005.
Jim acknowledges that his model train hobby requires an understanding spouse
due to the amount of space it takes up in their home along with the time he
devotes to it.
Herbert has been visiting SML since he was a teenager. For years he had an ad
agency in Richmond until he moved full time to the Lake with his wife, Janet,
about six years ago. As if Herbert’s model train hobby didn’t already make the
child in all of us envy him, he also works at Homestead Creamery in Burnt
Chimney as Projects Manager which includes tasting ice cream.
Some lucky people never have to grow up!
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