Foothills Times September 2019 Foothills Times Magazine | Page 38

King of the Rails- Trail
the History of Railroads & Model Railroading
In King North Carolina, David Eriksen and Steve Buchenauer have
been busy building a model train layout that will attract kids.“We
spent more than 350 hours working on it,” Eriksen said. “My
favorite part is the most difficult part, the river. We did the river four
times.”
By: Chad Tucker
He and Buchenauer set up the model inside the storefront of
Gullions Christian Supply Store on South Main Street. The store
gave them the space for free.
But it was a labor of love for he and Buchenauer.
“I always loved the history of the railroad,” said Buchenauer, who
installed several switches that will allow children to interact with
the model. “The scenery is really my favorite part.”
The model, which includes familiar replicas of local places, is all in
hopes of inspiring future railroaders.“Hopefully more people will fall
in love with this hobby,” said Eriksen, who hopes this will be the
first of many more layouts. “It's called ‘Hand to Rails Trail’ and we
hope to have models in Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain and Elkin.”
The trail is in an area that was once served by a common railroad
but instead of freight, this new model line will carry imagination.
Rails- - Trail
Trail
King of the Rails
the History of Railroads & Model Railroading
Proposed Trail
Floyd, VA
Hillsville, VA
Virginia
North Carolina
Elkin, NC
Do you have any trains in your closet or attic? Maybe you know of
someone that does? We are looking forward to revitalize this hobby and
give parents and kids a truly interesting way to share the afternoon.
FREE!
call us if you would like to donate them to our future sites,
38 Please
call David Eriksen at 336.480.4519.
M
King, NC
Key: ACTIVE
Mt. Airy, NC
Every Town
listed will have a
similar layout.
Featuring a
specific theme.
Kids activate buttons.
Pilot, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Clemmons, NC
Galax, VA
Kernersville, NC
Future (NOT BUILT)
Future Museum
M