Trains on track

Hawley Fire Department holds popular semi-annual model train show and sale

By JEFF SIDLE
Posted 5/4/22

HAWLEY, PA — The Hawley Fire Department kicked off its 2022 fundraisers on the weekend of April 23-24 with an indoor flea market and bake sale on Saturday and a model train show and sale on …

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Trains on track

Hawley Fire Department holds popular semi-annual model train show and sale

Posted

HAWLEY, PA — The Hawley Fire Department kicked off its 2022 fundraisers on the weekend of April 23-24 with an indoor flea market and bake sale on Saturday and a model train show and sale on Sunday.

Considering the tables at the event, it’s evident that there is a popular niche for everything “train” in the area. It’s not surprising, since Honesdale is the birthplace of the railroad in the United States and there is an operating passenger train—the Stourbridge Line—between Hawley, Honesdale and Lackawaxen.

According to deputy chief Eugene Krause, the hall was filled to the 80-table capacity with vendors. Many visitors were engaging with the vendors; they bought and traded track, cars, engines and much more. There were lots of books, with everything you needed to know to complete a diorama layout. There were railroading ephemera, such as a new train’s bell and the lens for a locomotive headlight.

Some tables held operating layouts with running trains. One of these was manned by Tom Keegan and his partner. Keegan allowed youngsters to operate the controls of the train and the accessories. One such accessory control could move a farm animal into and out of harm’s way as the train came around the track. There was even a reward for avoiding an accident. An electric work station picked up a fistful of M&M candies, raised them to the top of a tower, and dumped them into a cup, which was then awarded to the young operator.

 Like many of the vendors, Keegan has been active in model railroading for many years. When asked about the interest of the younger generation in the hobby, he said, “There are too many video distractions.”

While this may well be true,  the smiles on the faces of those youngsters operating the controls of the running trains, smoke billowing out of the stacks; the kids unloading baggage in the cars and moving animals into and out of the way, all lead one to believe that model railroading will be around for quite some time.

Model train show and sale

Mark your calendars. If you missed the event, you’ll have another chance. The Hawley Fire Department will reprise its Model Train Show and Sale on Sunday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs $3 for adults; there is no charge for children under 12 if they are with an adult. Tables cost $15 each. Refreshments are available.

To reserve a table, call Bill at 570/226-3206 or 570/226-9820.

The department will also hold indoor flea markets and bake sales from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on three Saturdays: June 11, August 6 and October 1. To reserve tables, call Diane at 570/290-1488 or 570/226-9820.

Hawley Fire Department, train, railroad, Stourbridge Line, vendors

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