Model trains chugged their way over hundreds of feet of railroad layout Saturday during the Santa Maria Centennial Model Railroad Exhibition, one of the largest of its kind ever to pull into the Central Coast.

Centered in an empty store in the Santa Maria Town Center, two national railroading modular groups combined with the Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum to hold the second annual event, hoping to attract people to the world of trains.

"We want to introduce people to model railroads, because it's such a great hobby," said Dick Mininger, vice-president of the museum, who has been active with trains since 1963.

A main focus of the exhibition was a miniature version of both the Santa Maria and Guadalupe trains from 1946 to 1966, which included replica scenery as well as the machines, and was contributed by the museum.

"I've seen a lot of this stuff in person, so seeing it miniature size is really neat," said Daniel Heron of Arroyo Grande.

Three hundred feet of track wound its way throughout the store, attracting hundreds of people throughout the day to visit the displays.

Clare Kaiser of Santa Maria brought her

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2-year-old daughter out because she loves trains.

"I like those. I love Thomas," said Taylor, referring to the Thomas the Tank Engine, a popular cartoon character aimed at preschoolers, as she pointed at nearby display.

More than 20 members of the two groups, Free-mo and Railroad Prototype Models, attended the exhibition to display their work to the public and exchange ideas between hobbyists. By setting predetermined dimensions for all the tracks, the trains were allowed to travel freely among the displays.

"This is the top echelon of model trains," said Free-mo member Chris Palomarez of Santa Maria.

Outside of creating realistic scenery, painting the trains to resemble historical replicas is a time-consuming project for group members. Palomarez, who specializes in this type of work, duplicates everything on the original machines, including graffiti.

"I'm an artist, and I love the history aspect involved in recreating (the trains), Palomarez said.

Both national groups are informal organizations dedicated to those interested in model trains as a hobby, and have a large following in the Western states.

Another Free-mo member, Jesus Pena, brought UPS replica cars and 24 feet of track based on a section of track in Richmond. Once finished, the three-year project will be able to hold up to 30 trailers and 45 flat cars. He said he perfected the realism of his display through aerial photographs and Internet maps to ensure the accuracy.

"I've always been fascinated by the UPS. I started 15 years ago as a form of therapy, and I got stuck," Pena said.

In addition to the displays, the Central Coast Trains of Atascadero sold paraphernalia including train shirts and pink conductor hats to visitors.

Since many eager visitors lined up before the doors opened, the event was deemed a success, said Gary Van Aken, Railway Museum President.

Hoping to add more elaborate scenery to the museum's displays in the coming year, Van Aken said that he is looking optimistically to the next annual showing.

"Our goal is to make this the premier location between Sacramento and San Diego," he said.

The exhibition will also be open to the public today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Staff Writer Randi Block can be reached at 347-4580 or by

e-mail at rblock@pulitzer.net

Feb. 27, 2005