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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Display's of trains with miniature sets were on display at the Boardman library provided by the Riverside Railroad Club.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Members of the Riverside Railway Club had a number of trains on display at the Boardman library Dec. 14 and 15.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.One member of the Riverside Railroad Club had a Christmas themed train display available for the community to view Dec. 14 at the Boardman library.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Model trains to various scales were on display by the Riverside Railroad Club Dec. 14 and 15 at the Boardman library.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Three members of the Riverside Railroad Club were present at the Boardman library Dec. 14 with their model trains on display for community members.
By JESSICA HARKER
The Riverside Railroad Club set up a train display at the Boardman library on Dec. 14.
Members of the club set up four different train sets in the meeting room of the library that were on display for the public throughout the day.
John Barto, a member of the club since 2002, said that the group is composed of about 16 members who all share a passion for train models.
“We are all just a bunch of guys who get together and run trains,” Barto said.
The club is currently located at the Warren YWCA, at 375 N Park St. They have a range of train models on display at their location that they work on when they meet, about once per month.
“We just come and get together, and get things done,” Barto said.
This year, the club added seven new members after changing locations last November.
Barto said that switching from an outdoor location to an indoor one has revitalized the organization.
“We have an open house and people come out and they are very interested in what we have,” Barto said.
Throughout the year, Barto said the organization sets up displays at a number of locations, as well as hosting a few open houses.
Barto said the group is always looking for new members, and that having expertise about model trains is not a requirement.
“Every member brings something to the club,” Barto said. “Everyone has something to offer and somewhere they fit in.”
He explained that it was through the organization that he was able to connect with people from around the Youngstown area who share the same hobby. “I never would have known any of these guys were around it if it weren’t for the club,” Barto said.
The Riverside Railroad Club has a YouTube channel where community members can see a number of their videos from past and present displays.
“It’s a fun hobby that we are all interested in and we love to show people what we do,” Barto said.