Johnson City Railroad Experience gets grand opening

Welcome back to Porky's Hobby Corner. Well, it certainly has been a busy month that kicked off with the successful grand opening of the Johnson City Railroad Experience on Thursday, Oct. 3. The grand opening featured live performances of bluegrass music provided by East Tennessee State University students as well as refreshments. The event generated plenty pf excitement, to say the least, and once the formalities were finished the members of the Mountain Empire Model Railroaders got to work sending out model trains on journeys all around the museum. One highlight that stands out for me was the Tweetsie Railroad. This is really something to see as it is modeled after the actual railroad that bore the name Tweetsie. One might even recognize another point of interest as well. Visiting the museum's library will keep up your interest of trains and history as well as the railroad artifacts too. The little engineers in your family will enjoy the playroom of trains, not to mention the actual train simulator. I am really excited to be part of the Model Train club as well as a member of the museum. I am pleased to know that my membership will help this facility stay around for a long time. I encourage others as well to become a member or donate. Let's keep a good thing rolling. Holidays are just a peek around the old railroad tracks, and there will be lots in store for visitors during the season. I will finish by mentioning some dates to mark on your kitchen or office calendars. The Johnson City Railroad Experience will hold its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 21. Adults 55 years of age and older can visit the museum on Friday, Nov. 22, free of charge. So make plans now to drive up to Exit 23 from Interstate 26. Just a couple of blocks after exiting I-26 visitors will arrive at 207 N. Boone St., Johnson City, the location of this new railroad attraction. There's easy parking, no steps and its close to home for most people in the Tri-Cities. A visit to the Johnson City Railroad Experience makes for a nice day trip, which can be paired with some downtown shopping and dining. The Johnson City Railroad Experience is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.johnsoncityrailroadexperience.org. ••• Unicoi resident Dan Toporek is a hobbyist and a retired auto technician. He writes his "Porky's Hobby Corner" column on a monthly basis. To ask a question or share information, please email porkyshobbycorner@gmail.com.