By MADDY VITALE
Hunter McGovern, of Pilesgrove, N.J., is just 3 and he already knows what he likes – trains – trains and more trains – especially Thomas trains.
Luckily for his mom, Lauren McGovern, and his big brother, 5-year-old Connor, there were plenty of them all in one place at the annual Model Train Show, which opened Saturday at the Ocean City Music Pier and continues Sunday.
An elaborate train display was on stage courtesy of the South Jersey Garden Railroad Society for the McGoverns and other families to see.
“Hunter especially is obsessed with trains, especially Thomas trains,” McGovern said with a smile. “Seeing the Thomas trains in person for him is a real treat.”
To that, Hunter pointed at the trains as they zipped by.
“Trains are his favorite!” Connor exclaimed.
Despite the rains, the free two-day train show which opened Saturday and runs from 10 to 4 p.m. again Sunday had already filled the Music pier with train hobbyists young and old alike.
“We are so happy to get out and be able to do holiday things. With the weather today, it is a great time to be inside enjoying the train show,” McGovern added.
Al Schmidt, of the South Jersey Garden Railroad Society, a group which has about 60 families who do everything trains, called it a whimsical fun hobby full of enjoyment for all ages.
Schmidt noted that the society has been setting up the trains onstage at the Pier since 1998 and it is always a wonderful show.
“We’ve had a great relationship with Ocean City over the years. It is great to have people enjoying trains,” Schmidt said. “The whole idea of it is to be whimsical and have fun, and to not be sticklers about size of the models and the pieces.”
Set up began at 10 a.m. on Friday, Walt Steinle, of the railroad society, explained. From tracks, to trains, to people figures to shrubbery and ornaments, just about all of it was done within 24 hours.
“It’s a hobby,” Steinle said. “I like the feeling when the trains get up and running. We have trains here on the tracks from the beginning steam engines of the 1800s to the modern diesels.”
By opening day of the train show on Saturday, the display was ready to be seen.
There were also vendors with vintage Lionel trains to newer items. Trains, parts, even videos of old train footages added to the scene. People perused the different vendor tables.
Mare and Ted Brukiewa, of Ventnor, brought their model train inventory to sell.
“This is our second train show here. It is always well run and a lot of people came out from all ages from little kids who are interested to longtime model train enthusiasts,” Mare Brukiewa said.
Dawn Cardwell, of Marmora, brought her daughter, Ariana Thomas, 6, to check out the trains.
“Her best friend is in love with trains so we go everywhere there are train shows,” Cardwell noted.
Ariana got to sit in the “train conductor” seat and used a remote control to operate the Thomas train. She carefully moved the controls and her eyes were fixed on the tracks.
Lisa Montgomery, of Ocean City, seemed to marvel at the display.
“I think trains bring the kid out in you,” Montgomery said. “It almost transports you back to when it was a simpler time and it just makes you smile.”
