34th annual Model Trains and Antique Toys exhibit starts Friday
Lovers of trains and antique toys in and around Porterville have an extra reason to be thankful this week as a local tradition returns for the holidays.
Porterville Historical Museum’s 34th annual Model Trains and Antique Toys exhibit opens on Friday. The event was started by the Underwater Trains Society and has grown over the years to become the largest model train show in Tulare County.
Head ‘engineer’ Dr. Don Stover has expanded this year’s exhibit by putting in his time, experience and love of trains. He was assisted by fellow ‘engineers’ Sam Winters, Frank Spina, Diana Patterson, TC, Jetta Espinosa, Ann Zimmerman, Sister Burnside, Sister Gardner, Elder Johnson and Elder Wyne.
Judy Holloway and Don Wheeler have added a few more trains to the exhibit as well, making this year’s exhibit the biggest to date. There will be eight train gauges (sizes) on display, ranging from the smallest, Nano gauge, where the cars are no bigger than quarters, to the largest standard gauge.
The museum will have antique toys from the collection of Bill Warner that your grandparents or even great grandparents might have played with, and Joe Sanchez will exhibit his handmade art collection of tanks, airplanes, motorcycles and more.
They will also have a tribute to the Underwater Society and past engineers who have passed on, such as John Free-
man and Bill Scruggs.
This year, the museum will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays between November 25 and December 30. They will also be open from December 26 through December 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Any businesses who would like to arrange a special showing of the Trains Show for their employees is encouraged to call Sheila Pickrell at (559) 7842053.
Porterville Historical Museum is located at 257 North D Street in Porterville. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for students, and children age 6 and under are free.