UP Home resident shares love of model trains with public

WASHINGTON - What started as a fun display has now turned into a tradition 10 years in the making. Jim Bennett, of Washington, is the resident engineer at the United Presbyterian (UP) Home where he has once again set up his model train display.

Bennett said growing up, he never had a train of his own but always wanted one. Every Christmas he would hope for one, but when it didn't come, he would just hope again next year.

'The money was always used on food and shelter but that wasn't uncommon after the war,” he said.

He got the idea from his friend Mike Moore, the CEO at the time, who encouraged him to set up a display. With about 125 sets of his own, that was no problem. Bennett brought up a couple of his favorites and set them up in the lobby of Stewart Hall.

The display reaches across two tables with a ramp connecting them. He runs the train Monday, Wednesday and Friday and by appointment as well because sharing the joy with everyone is what encourages the UP Home Resident to continue to share his passion.

'What's fun around here is I have train fans from one to 101,” he said.

Now, Bennett has dwindled his collection down to about 25 sets but will have his three favorites on display this holiday season. Currently, the train set and accessories are modeled around the 1940s era. Next week he will set up steam engines and rearrange the scenery to reflect the holiday season. After Christmas and through January, Bennett will install another scenic change. He said he hopes people come out and see his display because sharing the joy with others is what the holiday season is all about.

'There's nothing better than creating a smile on a little kid's face or an old people,” he said.

Bennett will be at his station Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-11:15 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.