Model trains go high-tech at Eastwood Expo Center

NILES

If you think this weekend’s Great Train Expo appeals only to model railroading enthusiasts of a certain age nostalgic for an America of their childhood, then you should have a talk with Gavin Esposito of Hubbard.

Gavin is 11 years old.

“I fell in love with model railroads when I was little and watched ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’,” Gavin said while admiring displays at the Eastwood Expo Center Saturday. “It was like it kindled [my interest], gasoline was poured on it and boom — I had a flair for trains.”

The Great Train Expo, a festival of miniature railroading making its first stop in Niles, hopes to appeal to young people like Gavin whose interests would appear to focus on high-tech video games.

“There is more high-tech in this hobby that can keep kids interested,” said Bill Grove, manager of the show based in the Chicago area. “You can run [a model railroad] through apps on your I-Phone while controlling a number of different trains,” Grove said.

For more on the event, which resumes at 10 a.m. today and concludes at 4 p.m., read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.