For those of you who do not know, my wife and I, we are the Train People! Each year on the second Saturday of December we host a “train show” at the Florence County Library. This will be our 15th year.

We bring a small train table, run some old-time Lionel type trains, tell the attendees something about the train collecting hobby and then let the kids play with the trains we bring. Even though some have considerable value, we have never had a train broken by the kids.

We then give away a bunch of trains and train sets geared to various age groups. Anyone can attend but you must be under 18 and present to win a train prize. Last year we gave away eight different train prizes, including three new complete Lionel train sets. The big prize most years is the Polar Express. Thomas the Tank also usually is among the prizes. Non-electric trains are for the younger set.

Now as we have done this for 14 years so far, with a modification for the two COVID years, we are looking for some help. If you have trains as a year-round hobby in any scale or gauge, how about joining us and telling the people about your hobby interest. And if you have won in the past and still use your train prize, also make sure to come and tell the other kids how much fun you have had with your trains.

This is a community event. We supply the trains; the Florence County Library supplies the space and the Friends of the Florence County Library help out each year. Snacks will be served.

Do I need to mention that we have great fun for an hour or so? It will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Everyone is welcome, so please come and join us.

Most especially, we would love to know of other train folks in the area and of kids who have won trains who still play with them. I got my first one in 1946 and I still play with mine. We have both Lionel-type toy trains and HO scale trains. This is a lifetime hobby. Come and see why.

Happy holidays to all and we hope to see you at 10 a.m. Saturday.