| In 1983, six train buffs from Swanton, Ohio decided to form a model railroad club. Back then, they probably did not know what an impact on Northwest Ohio they would have. Robert Van Doren was made President; Robert P. “Bob” Hahn was Treasurer and went on to become the second President; John Brass was the Secretary; Frank Chapa was the Master of Arms; Dick Colburn was the Historian and rounding out the six was club member Walt Seeman. After 20+ years Walt is the only active charter member left with us. The HO division was the charter division, followed one year later by the O division. Towards the end of the 1980’s N scale was added. Now in late 2005 an S division is in the start up phase. In the beginning all our divisions were modular. Today HO and O are still modular, however N scale has three tables they set up on for their beautiful display.
The Swanton Train Club became The Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club, Inc. in 1997 when we incorporated.
The HO division has under gone so many changes I could publish a book and still not get all of it. HO is the most popular size in the world. Keep an eye out on the picture pages of this web site; we throw in an “old” picture once in awhile. Back in the old days we paid more attention to detail in our scenery work. More modern days we are trying to regain some of that detail work that we lost. Somewhere in the late 80’s or early 90’s we went through a major change when some members left our club and formed their own club. . Many years later both clubs go to the Delta Chicken Festival and enjoy each other’s displays. Check them out at www.freewebs.com/boocootrains .
The O division brings smiles to faces of young and old alike with their trains both modern and of yesteryear. From Standard Gauge to O27. From steam to diesel. Our O division goes to county fairs and has a great display at the Toledo Zoo every year for the “Lights Before Christmas”. You can also visit some of our members at the Depot in Wauseon, which is the railroad home of the Fulton County Historical Museum.
The N Division, the smallest of our divisions and has a self contained layout that they can add two more tables to gain size. You can see our N Division at just about every show that you see our HO.
The S division is in the design phase.
Unfortunately, time and member deaths have lost a lot of our history, but thanks to some members finding old papers and other assorted documents; we are slowly rebuilding our history. So sit back and enjoy what we have here to show you. Check back here and as I “find” our history we will report it, right here!
Written by KC Wittenmyer (SARRMC Secretary), February 2006
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