Members of the Upper Michigan Central Model Railroad Club, Richard Whipple and Jim Jankowski take a peek at part of the model train exhibit during Railroad Day at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in the Antique Village. (Escanaba Daily Press photo)

ESCANABA — The first-ever Railroad Day took place in the Antique Village at the U.P. State Fairgrounds on Friday.

The event was a celebration of the third anniversary of the founding of the Gladstone Michigan Soo Line #730 Authority. It was held in conjunction with the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society’s 2024 Convention. The first time the group has been back in the area since 2003.

“This is called Railroad Day in the Village. It was a celebration for folks that weren’t able to get on the bus tours to come out and spend a day in the village and see our artisans because usually they’re already closed at this time of the year. So they stayed open for us for one more week,” said President of the Gladstone Michigan Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority John Pickard.

Guests got a look into the past with almost two acres of shops and displays, including the schoolhouse containing antique furniture, a blacksmith, a telegram office, and a ham radio operator building.

Those who stopped by the blacksmith got an up-close look at Master Blacksmith George Potvin crafting a knife out of an old railroad nail.

The model train exhibit was also open for the event, showcasing from-scratch-made and kit-made trains, tracks and buildings.

The exhibit is run by the Upper Michigan Central Model Railroad Club — a club formed in the early 1980s.

“It was originally at the 8th Street Coffee House in the basement downtown,” said Secretary for the club Thomas Moulds, a former local conductor.

The club now resides in their own building in the village since 2012.

On theme, the large display features several models of Soo Line equipment.

“We’re here because of the Soo Line Historical Society, and as you can see a lot of the equipment that we’re running on here is Soo Line,” Moulds said.

The club even has an exact scale model of the Steam and Gas Village that was built from scratch by a club member who is a master builder.

Moulds also provided historical information, saying that at one time, model railroading was the most popular hobby in the United States.

“In 1944, when we were in the midst of World War II, there were over a million people working on the railroads in the United States. That’s why everybody has a relative that worked for the railroad at one time,” he said.

The club made the model kid-friendly, adding a UFO figure and a Bigfoot.

Moulds added that a lot of the equipment they have in the club comes from donations.

Convention attendees made it to the village at noon for lunch at the Little Red Caboose.

Owner of the Little Red Caboose and 40-year chef, Taika Goodman said the event was a perfect fit for her mobile food truck.

“I’ve known John Pickard a long time and I have a love for trains,” Goodman said.

She added the name Little Red Caboose fit right into the railroad theme.

Guests got a ticket to get a meal from the truck consisting of barbecue pulled pork, pasties, baked beans and, macaroni and cheese.

Pickard said he hopes and plans to host the event again in the coming years.

“I think we could do this every year,” he said.

He also said that in the future, he plans to have more vendors on site.

After exploring the village and eating lunch, the group headed to Gladstone to take a group picture in front of the 730 train before heading back to the casino.

“That will top off the day,” Pickard said.

Pickard reminds the public that they are still accepting donations for the restoration and upkeep of the 730.

“We are still accepting donations to our archives in Gladstone (if) anybody has any Soo Line memorabilia, any kind of railroad memorabilia. And we are still accepting donations to the fund for the restoration (and) upkeep of the train,” he said. Those looking to make donations can do so at the Community Foundation for Delta County located at 2420 1st Avenue South in Escanaba.