Warren's Riverside Railroad Club shares small glimpse of big local history

For 16 years a group's been getting together in Warren with trains as the one constant topic. 

The Riverside Railroad Club has had to evolve a little over the years, but now the club has a new home and a new chance to capture your imagination.

After years at the old SCOPE senior center in Warren with an outdoor layout, the Riverside Railroad Club is getting used to its new digs. This time, indoors at the new SCOPE location at the YWCA.

"We're in the process of rebuilding our layout. The minuses are we obviously don't have a waterfall and a pond," said Michael Zador. "But on the plus side, when it's winter we're indoors and when it's 90 degrees we're nice and cool."

Zador's been a part of the club for years and like many others, his love for model railroads began at Christmas.

"I had three sons and we started off with a train around the Christmas tree and kind of grew from there," said Zador. "Now it's a sickness."

The new layout runs "G-Scale" trains anywhere from 1/22nd to 1/32nd in size and has a very strong Valley flavor including a complete industrial section.

The historical aspect plays a big role for some members. It gives you a chance to get a glimpse back in time. One of the works-in-progress in the layout is Courthouse Square in Warren about 60 years ago.

"We've tried to, with this layout, create a theme towards Trumbull County. If you will look around, we have a map of Trumbull County's early railroads. The trolley system that ran through Warren, right down the middle of the streets at one time," said Zador.

It's a slow process, but one they love. Bringing some of the pieces of local history back to life on a slightly smaller scale.

"Once the layout is done, which it never is, then I don't know what I'm going to do. Probably build other buildings," said Zador.

After all, they have a whole room to play with now, building a tiny city with plenty of transportation.

If you want to check it out in person or learn what the club's all about, they have an open house Saturday from 12 pm-4 pm. You can also learn more on the Riverside Railroad Club website.