"I never grew out of model trains," said 54-year-old Andrew Brusgard last week.
As he sat behind a control panel steering a world of miniature trains through miniature tunnels and bridges, it was apparent that he’s right. In fact, Brusgard grew into trains. Born and raised in Jersey City, his passion for trains began with the Lionel Train sets that one time were as much a part of Christmas as Santa Claus.
Brusgard, an investigator with the Jersey City police department, is a long-time member of the New York Society of Model Engineers. He studies the history of railroad lines, traces their evolution, and builds miniature models that can ride through a meticulously detailed miniature background.
"The detail that goes into the finishing touches is an art in itself," Brusgard said.
Established in 1926, The New York Society of Model Engineers proudly boasts that it is the oldest model railroad club in America. Dating back to the Civil War, their chronological displays of model trains and railroad paraphernalia certainly give that impression. "When you’re building trains as a kid, it’s more for toy value," Brusgard said. "This is more for historical value."
The society’s home in Carlstadt, N.J. is a virtual train museum, recreating the look and feel of old railroad terminals and trains. In addition, the society houses a library of books and videotapes devoted to railroad history.
Growing up in the ’60s and working for the Jersey City Police Department, Brusgard recalls the old Hudson County railroad terminals that laid the foreground for the mass transportation system existing today. He remembers when the Newport Terminal in Jersey City was the Erie Terminal and the New Jersey Transit Terminal in Hoboken was the Lackawanna Terminal.
Aside from the 5,000 square feet of bit-sized train tracks, the society stores nostalgic items that were once a part of old trains. "There’s a lot of stuff we’re saving for historical reasons," Brusgard said. "If it wasn’t for us, it would be in a dump some place." These artifacts include the railroad emblems that adorned the front of the trains, like the Phoebe Snow, the premier train that ran out of the Lackawanna terminal.
But the biggest benefit of being a member is having a workshop to create model trains, and an expansive network of tracks to run them. "Some of them you buy a kit for," Brusgard said. "Some of them you do from scratch." Many times members will buy individual parts and design a specific model that is not popular enough to have a kit devoted to it. But club members take pride in building rare items. "We’re not looking to copy what’s already out there," he said.
The private non-profit railroading organization supports itself on membership dues and a seasonal exhibition that charges admission. Membership dues cost $10 per month, and allow model train enthusiasts to use the facility for building model trains, exhibiting model trains, and discussing model trains on routine gatherings held Wednesday nights.
Five separate control panel stations and a television monitoring system allow members to operate the trains with the same efficiency as an actual railroad line. During an exhibition now running, members get behind all the control panels and entertain spectators with the life-like train system they have created.
The exhibition costs $4 for adults and $1 for children and runs today, Sunday, Nov. 25, as well as Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. Friday’s shows are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 939-9212.