Daily Herald - Caleb Warnock

With the launch of the 20th annual Ophir-Tintic & Western Model Railroad Club show at Thanksgiving Point on Friday, it became clear that this hobby has heated up.

Perhaps it is a sign that the economy is improving, or perhaps word of mouth is spreading, but when the show opened at 3 p.m. Friday, it was mobbed by nearly 200 people within a half-hour, and the crowds only grew. The two-day show has always been attended by thousands, but it has not been this busy this early in recent memory.

So why the rush? Because enthusiasts have figured out that in order to get the rarest vintage and modern model trains and accessories from vendors, you have to get here early, said Larry Carter, president of OT&W.

"A lot of vendors are bringing stock from out of state," he said. "People are trying to get here to beat the crowd."

With dozens of elaborately landscaped model train sets on display, the show draws enthusiasts of all ages. Some people salivate at the chance to browse thousands of model trains for sale, others like to study the intricate detailing of the scale landscapes, and others, as Carter put it, "come to collect ideas. They like to see what other people are doing with their trains. It is a big social event."

There is a huge display of Lego trains and landscapes, a scale replica of the Hogwarts School from Harry Potter, outdoor garden trains, tiny Z-scale trains, engines that puff steam and smoke, lighted passenger trains, bridges and tunnels, meticulously detailed landscapes ranging from woodlands to vintage cars to star-lit skies. There are trains set up for children to try out the controls, making them whistle as they speed up and slow down. The latest in model railroading technology is also available -- spiraling ramps that allow trains to change elevations, and custom-designed rail yard signal systems. There are trains and sets for beginners, and high-end, hard-to-find engines, freight cars, and landscaping materials for advanced hobbyists.

It's also a great way for grandparents and parents to get cabin-fevered children out of the house for a fun activity, especially because children 11 and under are free, and everyone else is just five bucks, Carter said.

Bonnie Jean Thomas of Draper came for a different reason. She is a respite care provider, and she brought Tyson, 10, to the show as part of his wellness therapy.

"He looks at every train at least three times," she said. "This is one of the things he really likes."

As for her, she said she'd never heard of the show before but loved it.

"It is just so much talent putting it together, the villages, towns, and cities," she said.