Children and adults were fascinated by the realism of model trains rolling past scenes during the Lake County Model Railroad Club’s 50th anniversary open house.
In scenes depicting hilly terrain and tall trestles to Midwestern farmland and industrial settings, replicas of steam and diesel-powered powered passenger and freight trains operated by club members rolled past on the 60-by-30-foot layout as guests watched.
The club is in the basement below the Honey Hill Coffee Shop in Wauconda, and Caitlyn DeVoe was a first- time visitor to the club, even though she has worked at the coffee shop since 2008. She and he husband, Michael, took turns holding their son Cole, 2½, while viewing the model trains.
“I’ve told people about it, but it’s my first time here,” DeVoe said. “It’s more fun when you have a kid with you.”
The open house continues Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.