During a short interview in front of the large meeting room that was taken up with displays of tracks as well as numerous engines and train cars of various sizes and colors, Kilgore said his interest in model railroading began with a layout passed down through his family. “My great grandfather had passed away, and he left his four foot by eight-foot layout to me.”
That personal connection carried into the evening’s business as Kilgore was elected president of the newly re‑formed club, which revives an organization active locally in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He then presided over the meeting wearing a vest adorned with patches.
Nevada County Depot Museum Director Jamie Simmons, in introducing Kilgore, touched on that continuity. “This actually is a legacy,” Simmons said. “Dylan himself is a legacy of the original club. His great grandparents were founding members.”
Kilgore later added that his great‑grandmother served as president of the earlier organization. “My great grandmother, Betty Gibson, was the president of the club for quite a few years,” he said.
Following his win of the election, Kilgore immediately turned the meeting toward organization and planning. The group intends to begin with a modular layout rather than a permanent installation.
“We actually have the ability to set up a permanent layout here in the future,” he said. “But first, I’d say we need to get a modular layout built.”
There was then a slide show on nothing less than the history of railroad trains around the world and the means used by hobbyists to depict these mighty machines using models for the train engines, cars and cabooses, materials to depict tracks and landscapes and mechanical means of making the trains go.
Members discussed standards for track, equipment, and operations, including curve radius and power systems. Kilgore said flexibility would be important as the club gets started. “
The group also discussed whether to model a specific railroad or allow members to freelance. Kilgore said the latter would encourage participation and learning but he also sketched out a potential long-term goal: building a model of Reader Railroad in the days when it was 23-mile carrier in Nevada and Ouachita counties.
Those interested in joining can text message Kilgore at 1-870-947-0046. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday April 11th at the former armory at 3:00 p.m.
