I spent time yesterday taking the kids to visit Tom’s Trains in Cary’s South Hills Mall. I’d taken out my old train set every now and then for the kids but it was in pretty bad shape from the 30 years its been in storage. The kids recently became obsessed with it so I brought it out of retirement.

Tom’s Trains is an amazing place for a model railroader. The kids played with the Thomas train set while I picked up some new supplies for our Lionel Southern Express train. Len, the “shop supervisor,” gave me tips on how to clean and lubricate the engine. I enjoyed taking it apart and working with the gears and motor. It now sounds and runs better than it has since it was new. The track is expanded, too, with a siding and switches added on which to park unused rolling stock.

Yeah, I enjoy playing with it, but not as much as watching the fun the kids have when they’re running it.