ENGAGING WITH ENGINE-UNITY

All aboard! Train enthusiasts young and old are invited to step into a world of models and miniatures. Newton Public Library in collaboration with the Des Moines Trak Club, or DesMoiNTrak will be hosting a small event showcasing every variety of trains one could dream of.

The event will be in the library’s community meeting room for a few days, coinciding with Newton schools’ spring break.

The club will be hosting two free public open houses, one on Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and Monday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the event club members will be present to talk about different models and answer any questions from visitors.

DesMoiNTrak, which consists of 15 members, has hosted several events like this throughout the years. From local libraries to retirement homes, if someone is interested and asks nicely, the group will travel almost anywhere to set up and talk about their model trains.

“We just got back from a big meetup in Lincoln, Neb., where we laid out some track with a local group,” the club’s vice president, Rodney Sheets, said.

The group is ready to get back out there after the COVID-19 pandemic brought many in-person events to a halt. Prior to the shutdowns, Sheets said the club used to host around 10 events a year. But since 2020 the club has only organized three displays.

But even lingering COVID concerns haven’t stopped interested community members from showing interest and attending the few events the group has hosted since lockdowns ceased.

“One of our club’s recent events at the West Des Moines Public Library was one of our best attended yet,” Sheets said. “Usually at events like this we get a lot of younger kids and their parents stopping in.”

While nobody can accurately predict the number of attendees this event will attract, youth services librarian Phyllis Peter, who’s been acting as the event’s conductor, hopes the spring break holiday will bring some new faces to the Newton Public Library.

“Anyone who is interested is welcome to stop by,” Peter said. “I know that a lot of adults are interested in trains so we want them to know that they are welcome.”

Peter will also be hosting a train-themed Thursday storytime that will tie into the exhibit. Books related to trains and railroads will put on display so those who are interested can do some further reading on the subjects.

Both the club and library are optimistic a variety of interested attendees will stop by and enjoy the model trains during the two days they’ll be there.

“We’ve never come to Newton before but I think it’ll be a good kickoff for us,” Sheets said. “I really hope this becomes an annual thing and we’re invited back sometime soon.”

Contact Abby Knipfel at 641-792-3121 ext. 6531 or aknipfel@shawmedia.com