Northeast Large Scale Train Show concludes this weekend in West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Sunday was the final day of the Northeast Large Scale Train Show at the Eastern States Exposition.

This show has wrapped up and left the station after another successful year. The larger scale trains run on electricity, battery, or even live steam, bringing together hobbyists from all over.

"These trains are the ones that run outside in your garden, so that's why a lot of people call them garden railroading," said Joe Biagioni, President of the Amherst Railway Society.

"I grew up on the West Coast, where there's some train community, but there's a ton here," said Mike Ramsey of Worcester. "Here, there's like a train show over a couple of months. It's amazing."

Programs like Kids on Track helped get the next generation interested in a hobby that can last a lifetime. The show not only attracted younger audiences, but also brought families together.

"We bring them flat cars that's donated by USA Trains with Mr. Charlie Ro," said Malinda Jungst of the Making Trains Fun Program. "We give them flat cars, and then bring items that they can use to build a flat load. Then, they get to take the flat load over here to the track for the New Hampshire Garden Railway Society, and then they get to take it home so that they could build upon that to have the train at home."

Some even took their hobby to social media, creating friendships online through bonding over trains.

"I used to watch Michael's videos when he lived on the West Coast, actually," said Peter Abramov of Framingham. "He lived in Canada, and I was one of his viewers for many years, and you know, I lived here my whole life. So when he came here, I had already known he was my other train friend, and I'm going to be pretty great friends with Mike over here."

The community welcomed "all aboard" this weekend through their shared love.