There are some toys that we never really outgrow. A model train set is one such source of enjoyment.
There is a trio of gentlemen at Chandler’s Square in Anacortes that are proof of that. John Conlee, Robert Easton and Frank Thompson have put a lot of time and effort into creating and improving a space for an ever expanding collection of miniature trains and tracks.
It all started when Thompson moved to Chandler’s Square in August 2012. In the process of moving and downsizing he donated $2,000 worth of miniature train equipment to the Kiwanis thrift shop. Around Thanksgiving the director of Chandler’s Square, Pete Kovach, informed Thompson that there is space available for a train set in the Parlor room. Wasting no time, Thompson revisited the thrift shop, but to his disappointment the set had already been sold.
This is where three other people stepped in to help. John Conlee, Jennifer Bowman and Evelyn Adams, all members of the Fidalgo and Friends TimeBank, wanted to do something to brighten the situation. They had the full support of Chandler’s Square administration and staff, as well.
Words turned into deeds: Chandler’s Square offered to reassign a storage room adjacent to the Parlor for the use of the train set. The table in the parlor had become too small for the ever- increasing collection of tracks and trains.
The staff painted the walls a light sky blue, and left the more artistic painting to Jennifer Bowman. She is well-known both locally and farther away, producing paintings in various media and themes.
For the train room, Bowman painted a purple and pink-hued local scene with her own supplies. It shows Mount Baker in the background and the refineries represented in one corner. The windowless storage room now looks like it has 360 degrees of outside views.
“It took 13 hours over the course of five days”, says Bowman. “I will be happy to come back and help paint the landscape” she adds.
Frontier Supply provided the lumber needed for the large train setup. It now sits on sturdy platforms, ready for expansion and most of all, daily use.
There haven’t been arguments among the three men or Bowman during the construction and planning process. Conlee has been the undisputed designer, having owned a train sets before. He exchanged ideas and materials with Bowman while she was painting the mural and helping with the landscape base. It has been happy co-operation with impressive results. Bowman is reluctant to sign the mural, and the three men keep insisting for her to do so.
“There has been lots of interested in this project”, Thompson says. “We have had a good amount of donations. Currently we have $900 to use. One donor said they gave a $500 contribution just to see the twinkle in my eye.”
Evelyn Adams, one of the TimeBank coordinators, heard of the goings-on concerning the trains and happened to know of some people who might have equipment to add to the collection. Slowly but steadily what started out as Thompson’s lone effort is turning into a positive project bringing many members of the community together.
Thompson feels there is one thing lacking still; sound. He would love to have an old engine with sound to add a little noise to the activity.
The train project is ongoing, and everyone is welcome to participate. The trio has been using various resources, including Ebay, to collect trains and tracks. There is a hobby shop in Burlington that they find quite helpful, too.
“Men are not as social as women. It can be hard when you have to give up your home and tools and move into retirement housing. The train set is a good activity to share,” says Conlee.