Model RR Club v2.0

We have had at least 2 of Kieran's birthday at the Model RR club. We probably have had more birthday parties there if they hadn't moved. Tresa found this club long ago, because Kieran was so fascinated by trains. A few years back the Model RR Club was forced to move out of their home of many many years in the basement of an old artillery testing building in Liberty Village because condos were going up there. You know because Toronto is short on condos! Just drive along the Gardiner and the landscape has changed so much.


But we got an email of a spring show of the Model RR club after nearly 3 years. The space is 2/3 the size of the old one, but these guys have moved into the 21st century using iOS app to control their O-scale trains instead of those RF hand controllers they had. Now you can use an iPad or iPhone to play with the trains.

This place is so cool. Mostly because they are creating something with their own hands. The group of aging boomer kids meet regularly to plan extensions, remodel, and schedule the running of their trains. These guys make it like they are the RR companies actually actually scheduling freight shipments and destinations, passenger train schedules just like in real life. It's not kids play. It's BIG kids play!

They've asked me once to join when they were at the old location. Main reason was to port their C64 tech to something post Y2K. But I didn't take them up on it since I was busy with my own stuff. I didn't want to take on another project. But maybe this time around I may consider it. Kieran is really keen on the club. Walking around taking it all in. It is amazing what life a hobby can take. And how good it must feel when so many people, kids, adults and seniors alike all have the same wide eyed look in their face as they watch the Canadian (the long passenger train) roll by, with it's engine sound and horn blowing. It is so cool.

Model RR Club v2.0 Photos