Dave Anderson with the North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders runs a train during the Clallam County Fair in August. The club returns to the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday for its Train Show & Swap Meet with more trains and vendors. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Dave Anderson with the North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders runs a train during the Clallam County Fair in August. The club returns to the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday for its Train Show & Swap Meet with more trains and vendors. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Train show travels to Clallam County fairgrounds

PORT ANGELES — Like their love for trains, the annual North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders’ show keeps growing.

In its 19th year, the Train Show and Swap Meet is being moved to the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St.

Leaders of the miniature railroad collectors club said the move is simply to give the show more space.

The show, featuring train displays, vendors, raffles and more will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Club President Steve Stripp said he and other club members anticipate finishing a second HO-scale layout that replicates a portion of the North Olympic Peninsula’s former railway next year and it likely wouldn’t fit in the Sequim Prairie Grange with the existing layout and the growing number of vendors.

“We realized we had an opportunity to expand with the layout and bring in [other groups] so we went forward with it,” Stripp said.

The location is closer for club members to move the original layout to the fairgrounds, he said, and it will allow more room for about 30 train vendors.

Also, club members will welcome a second HO-scale layout from a Bremerton club, and display a 1/8-scale steam engine from the Kitsap Live Steamers.

Railroaders continue to offer an HO-scale set and a wood train set for children to use, too.

The club has been a staple at the Clallam County Fair for nine years in a row. Members set up their original HO-scale set in the Home Arts/Hobby Barn.

Stripp anticipates easily filling the barn with displays, vendors and people, and he even made a model layout to help with setup.

He said energy among the club’s 36 members is high, with an influx of younger members joining.

This year the club received a grant from the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau to advertise out of the area in the Seattle Times, Model Railroader magazine and hot spots online for train enthusiasts.

It also has added more sponsors, including Les Schwab Tires, Lincoln Industrial and “Model Railroad and Legos” from eBay with long-time sponsor Pacific Rim Hobby.

Stripp said club members anticipate a good turnout and hope it continues to build for the club’s 20th show next year — the same year that the Clallam County Fair will mark its 100th year.

The North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders meet at 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month (Oct. 27 this month) at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.

For more information, call 360-582-1316 or visit stevenstripp@juno.com.

________

Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

More in Entertainment

Plays, music and puzzles top weekend events

Stage productions, music performances and a crossword puzzle contest highlight this weekend’s… Continue reading

Port Angeles Community Players to host auditions

Auditions for the Port Angeles Community Players’ production of… Continue reading

“Obstruction Point” by Anne Pfeiffer of Port Angeles is part of “Small Expressions,” the wide-ranging show which will open Friday at Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend.
‘Small Expressions’ opens Friday in Port Townsend

One of the most wide-ranging exhibitions in recent memory… Continue reading

Actors, from left, Justin Stapleton, Mario Arruda and Sean Stone rehearse “Artificial Emotions,” a short play written by John Painter and directed by Bill Stone, far right. It will be the first of eight plays in Olympic Theatre Arts’ New Works Showcase through Sunday. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Olympic Theatre Arts offers New Works Showcase

Olympic Theatre Arts will offer eight new mini shows this… Continue reading

Song swap set Friday at Studio Bob

The second Song Swap is set for 7 p.m.… Continue reading

Samite, pictured during his Field Arts & Events Hall performance last fall, is returning to Port Angeles for a matinee and evening performance this Saturday. (Field Arts & Events Hall)
Samite, ‘Resilience’ return to Port Angeles this weekend

One-man play includes soft voice, African instruments

Singer-songwriter Stephanie Anne Johnson.
Stephanie Anne Johnson to play at the Palindrome

Stephanie Anne Johnson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.… Continue reading

Gingerbread kits available for library contest

Gingerbread kits are available for the 30th Uptown Gingerbread… Continue reading

“Sky Light” is among Jeanne Toal’s paintings at Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery.
‘Soulful’ artist’s show in its final days in Port Townsend

Artist Jeanne Toal’s work has sparked an unprecedented response,… Continue reading

Clallam Mosaic accepting registrations for cruises

Clallam Mosaic is accepting registrations for the Seafair Special People’s Holiday Cruise… Continue reading

Music, art on tap for Peninsula weekend events

Music and stage performances, art exhibitions and holiday bazaars highlight weekend events… Continue reading

Studio Bob to host anniversary party

Studio Bob will celebrate one year of management by… Continue reading