MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Model railroad enthusiasts, collectors and families will gather at the Kansas State Fairgrounds this weekend as the annual Center of the Nation Model Railroad Show rolls into town.
The two-day event, organized by Lonnie Demoret and the Kansas Central Model Railroaders, will be held in the Pride of Kansas Building. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Demoret said attendees will find a variety of model railroad layouts, vendors and interactive exhibits, including four major train displays and his own large-scale layout that allows children to operate trains using tablet devices.
“We have six train lines that they can actually run on tablets,” Demoret said. “There’s also a trolley that runs across the top.”
Mark Buckley, owner of Toy Depot in downtown Hutchinson and a longtime vendor at the show, said the interactive technology has helped attract younger generations to the hobby.
“The kids come in, and a lot of them say they don’t care,” Buckley said. “Next thing you know, their eyes are big, and they’re waiting in line to run Lonnie’s trains.”
In addition to operating model trains, visitors can explore displays created by model railroad clubs and hobbyists from across the region. A Wichita-based group will showcase detailed scenic layouts featuring handcrafted landscapes, bridges, towns and other realistic features.
More than 125 vendors are expected to offer trains, accessories, collectibles, toys and hard-to-find replacement parts. Buckley noted that the show appeals to everyone from serious collectors to families looking for affordable entertainment.
“There’s stuff for a quarter, there’s stuff for a dollar, and there are train engines that cost thousands,” Buckley said. “It’s got everything from collectible trains to Thomas the Train.”
For the first time in the event’s history, food will also be available on-site, allowing attendees to spend the day at the show without leaving the venue.
Demoret said admission is $8 for one person or $15 for two adults, while children are admitted free. A single ticket covers both days of the show. Visitors who attend Saturday can return Sunday at no additional charge by having their hands stamped before leaving.
The event will also feature door prizes and a raffle offering attendees a chance to win a train set valued at approximately $200.
Buckley said the show offers more than just trains. It provides an opportunity for hobbyists to share ideas, learn new techniques and inspire the next generation of railroad enthusiasts.
“If you’ve never seen a really good layout, it’s worth going up there just to walk around, look and see what they do,” he said.
The Center of the Nation Model Railroad Show takes place June 13-14 at the Pride of Kansas Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Admission tickets are available at the door.