(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
TRAIN DAY FUN … Three detailed model train displays delighted visitors during the National Train Day celebration at the Museum of Fulton County.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
Train whistles, miniature locomotives, and excited families filled the Museum of Fulton County on Saturday, May 10th, as guests of all ages celebrated National Train Day with interactive activities, detailed model train displays, and a final chance to experience the museum’s featured “All Aboard!” train exhibit.
Many of the “All Aboard!” artifacts will be headed to a new home at the Wauseon Train Depot.
Residents gathered to celebrate Fulton County’s railroad history. The event featured model train layouts from the Swanton Area Model Railroad Club, including detailed N-scale and lively O-scale trolley setups that captivated attendees of all ages.
The “All Aboard!” exhibit, a highlight of the museum’s current offerings, tells the story of Fulton County’s railroad heritage through a blend of history and play.
Children enjoyed crawling into the playhouse switch/watch tower to observe model trains representing the Wabash and New York Central lines, while parents explored the historical displays featuring railroad tools, lanterns, uniforms, and authentic depot artifacts from communities across the county.
Guests were also invited to test their communication skills at the telegraph Morse code station and flip through a larger-than-life train storybook. For the museum’s youngest visitors, a toddler-friendly toy train set offered entertainment at their level.
Throughout the exhibit, the museum emphasized the vital role of the railroad in connecting Fulton County’s towns and people.
From steam and diesel engines to electric trollies, the display chronicled how trains shaped the growth of local communities and the lives of those who lived and worked near the tracks.
This year’s National Train Day served not only as a fun family outing but also as a nostalgic farewell to a beloved exhibit, sending it off with one last whistle down the tracks.