Historical society to host train show

LAKEWOOD - On Oct. 20-21, the Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Heritage Museum will host "Catch the Blue Comet at the Train Show!" a model railroad show for the benefit of the Lakewood Heritage Museum featuring the Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders. The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 21.

The show will feature trains with a connection to Lakewood, like the Blue Comet, the visually striking steam engine that offered luxury parlor cars and posh dining cars to passengers coming to Lakewood. Other trains from the Central Rail Road of New Jersey and NJ Transit will also be running. A modern visitor to Lakewood, Thomas the Tank Engine, will also be steaming around the tracks of the Lakewood Heritage Museum for young train enthusiasts.

In addition, the Society of Model Railroaders will be presenting the Lakewood Heritage Museum with its own Lakewood Heritage Museum box car emblazoned with the image of the Blue Comet, created by the Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders President Dennis Hodge; and a scale model of the elegant Lakewood Train Station, a work of art created by member Tom Griffiths.

This two-day event will have electric trains in O, HO and G scale filling the auditorium and steaming through outdoor tracks in front of the building. Wooden railway sets will be provided for budding engineers to design their own track layouts. Other hands-on activities include creating a vintage postcard of the Blue Comet and a railroad scavenger hunt. There will be door prizes each day.

The event will be held at the Lakewood Heritage Museum located at the Lakewood Board of Education building, 655 Princeton Ave. Lakewood. The building is handicapped accessible with free parking on premises. Food will be available and the gift shop will be open for souvenirs. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children or $7 for a family. For more information call the Lakewood Heritage Museum at (732) 276-7944.