Right on track: Hop on the upcoming annual model railroad tour in St. George

Written by Jessi Bang
November 7, 2022

SANTA CLARA —Keep calm and carriage on with the Color Country Model Railroad Club’s Annual Layout Tour to be held Nov. 11-14, and here’s why you should see it for yourself.

Jim Harper's indoor model train display features railroad workers, Santa Clara, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Jim Harper’s indoor model train display features railroad workers, Santa Clara, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Larry Schneider, vice president of the G scale group and club treasurer for the Color Country Model Railroad Club, said the open house will consist of 20 railroads, with nine located in Sun River. 

“We’re hoping for a good tour turnout,” Schneider said. “We’ve generally averaged about 300-400 people moving around the city at various times visiting locations in previous years, and it’s all free.”

For those that want to get into model railroads in a big way, Schneider said the club has built three railroads, which will be up for sale on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m at an office building behind Little Caesars on 700 South.

An additional three railroads built by the club can be seen at the St. George Veterans Center, the pediatrics ward at Intermountain Healthcare and inside the St. George Children’s Museum construction-themed room.

Jim Harper stands inside his train room next to his handcrafted display, Santa Clara, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Jim Harper stands inside his train room next to his handcrafted display, Santa Clara, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Jim Harper, vice president of the O Scale group and club member for 16 years, said his love for trains began as a child when he watched train cars passing through his grandfather’s farm. In 1945, he received his first train set for Christmas and has been a train hobbyist ever since. 

When he resigned his commission from the Air Force in 1966, Harper said he purchased a hobby shop in Riverside, California, which contained model airplanes, trains, boats and cars. In 1975, he opened a second hobby shop in San Bernardino, and by 1980, he sold both shops to move to Reno, Nevada.

In Nevada, he opened up another hobby shop and began his model train display in his three-car garage. He then moved his collection to his home in Santa Clara, where he has continued to add to the design. 

Part of Jim Harper's indoor model train display is shown, Santa Clara, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Part of Jim Harper’s indoor model train display is shown, Santa Clara, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

From the painted mountain murals on the back wall to the trees, railroad tracks and buildings, the entire train display – located in a separate area of his garage – was completed by Harper himself. The train scene is based on central California around 1955.

“It’s a great club,” Harper said about Color Country. “I’ve been in other clubs before during my hobby career, but none as good as this one.”

Dick Saunders, a member of the Color Country Club for five years, said he’s been doing model trains for 40 years. From the motion to the sound, his love for trains began when he realized how much his special needs son loved them. The smaller train sets would easily get knocked off the tracks, so he decided to upgrade. 

“And one Christmas, we got this size,” Saunders said pointing at a model train chugging through his backyard. “Eventually, it overtook the house. I knew I could put it outdoors with a garden and live plants, so why not? So, I went outdoors.”

Saunders, along with his wife Laurie, built the train scene together. Her primary focus is the plants, which are “bonzai’d” to look like trees along the tracks. She’s also sculpted many ceramic figurines such as a butcher in front of the butcher shop.

A butcher shop within the Saunders' outdoor train display includes a ceramic butcher made by Laurie Saunders, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A butcher shop within the Saunders’ outdoor train display includes a ceramic butcher made by Laurie Saunders, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The couple’s backyard in Washington City was built specifically for the train scene and the track was first laid nine years ago. The scenes are their representations of an early 1900s town with a railroad running through it.

“This hobby always appealed to me because of the fact that it’s outdoors, building things and working with nature,” he said. “The event is a lot of fun. Everyone is invited to the free event, so if you’re looking for something to do on Veterans Day weekend, we welcome one and all.”

Just down the road from Saunders, Tim Fitch also has an outdoor train sprawled across his backyard. The display includes a volcano and fire swamp, water wheels, ponds, boats, rivers and more. He said he’s been doing model train designs since 2012 when he inherited a small display from his dad before his passing. For more information on his display, click here.

Event details

  • What: Color Country Model Railroad Club’s Annual Layout Tour
  • When: Friday, Nov. 11 , through Monday, Nov. 14
  • Where: Locations vary across Washington County
  • Admission: Free
  • Click here for a list of layouts on display along with locations, dates and times

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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