Davis County families are still discovering a unique local attraction featuring model trains, trains available for rides, a rail station and museum.
Owners Steve and Susan Flanders changed their plans from a quiet retirement on the farm on 575 N. 1525 West, to a life of miniature tracks, trestles and trains. Steve had a dream — to build a model train track around his yard. He accomplished that goal, but after two weeks, the small 70 foot circular track in the back yard lost its thrill, and the family built a bigger circle and another and another. Now his 10.5 acre farm features two miles of tracks with about 20 engines and 80 cars, which Steve has available for train enthusiasts of all ages to come and enjoy.
"It's just kind of a hobby gone a muck," said Susan.
S&S Shortline Park is open to the public the first and third Saturdays during the months of June, July and August and offers much more than watching small trains meander around a track belching smoke and blowing its whistle. For a small fee guests can enjoy a ride on a large or small train over miniature bridges, past mountains and waterfalls and through a cool, dark tunnel right under a road.
The whole Flanders family spent years turning their property into the business it is today. Steve explained laying his track was hard work, and his kids probably didn't think it was much fun at the time, but they did enjoy the rides once it was completed. Today, family members are still heavily involved in running the park.
Justin, Steve's youngest son, works as an engineer taking full loads of families on an exciting ride on the rails. Justin explains the rules about keeping hands and feet inside the car, blows the whistle and slowly pulls out of the station. Parents wave and shout their goodbyes and then race ahead to take some pictures as they pass by.
The small crossing arms lower as the train crosses the parking area and gets ready to enter a tunnel going right under the road. An audible reaction can be heard as the children prepare to enter the temporary darkness. Before they have a chance to worry, they emerge out the other end and into the scenic view of fields and mountains. Soon the train is chugging around the Flanders' home where they climb up a small trestle, duck under bridges, and spot Susan's nine miniature ponies.
"My parents are into everything miniature," said Justin as the train passes behind their enclosure.
The train continues on its journey around their property leading back to the tunnel and the station. Excited parents await the return of their children. When the train comes to a stop, many riders beg for another ride, others return to their birthday parties at the pavilion, and some head to the small museum.
The museum is housed in a turn-of-century narrow gauge DSRGW #3177 Boxcar. Exhibits offer a nostalgic look at Utah's train history and model trains. Steve collects items of interest as he travels around the country, but many things have been donated by Utah rail families. Uniforms, lanterns, tornado alert devices, railyard gas floodlights, safety awards, a Saltair 1952 Time Table for Salt Lake, Garfield & Western Railway and more are squeezed into cases for viewers to enjoy. Steve is happy to share what he knows about his collection if you can find him with a few minutes to talk. Utah history comes alive as he recounts how the pioneers helped build the railroad making Utah the "Crossroads of the West."
Twice a year the Flanders host a Hobo Dinner remembering the often romanticized life of the American hobo. Modern-day hoboes bring their own tin plate and cup, a fresh vegetable to add to the boiling pot and a tall tale to tell around the campfire. Hoboes, those that "worked to be on the road" and those who were "on the road to work," loved to tell each other the dangers they had overcome or the things they'd seen before arriving at the "jungle" or hobo camp.
Another important event on the calendar, is the 11th annual Spring Train Meet being held on June 22 and 23. Model train enthusiasts from all around the Western states will gather to share stories about the latest addition to their collection they've been working on during the winter.
"Mostly we just swap lies," said Steve.
Each engine and car has a story. Models are built by scratch, kits or purchased. Steve has built most of his 100 models, but has also acquired some from estate sales or people giving up the hobby. Some are worth a few hundred dollars and others are worth thousands. Steve explained it just depends on your budget and your addiction.
"Your favorite one is the one you are building at the moment," said Steve. " I ask myself what I can do different."
Right now Steve is working on a few simple flat-bed cars that will be part of a seven-car train carrying scale-size bright green and red tractors and other farm implements on them. Steve explained that he needed to do an inventory, because he wasn't sure how many models he does own, but he knows he's not finished. "I haven't lost my interest yet."
Steve hasn't retired. He works to support his hobby, but not as a concrete contractor like he used to. Now Steve spends two weeks each month flying around the country buying, selling and leasing full-size locomotives. Steve deals with industrial and shortline railroads, the branches of the tree of the railroad system. The slightly smaller locomotives carry cargo up and down 10-12 miles of tracks picking up and delivering goods to different business. The freight rail business is booming once again, Steve explained. He attributes imports from Asia for much of the increased business.
Steve sees the importance of trains in our society growing for commuters as well as freight. The days of luxury passenger trains serving fine cuisine in the dining cars on china belong to a former era, but trains will become more important here in Utah again. Light-rail and commuter trains will cross the valley taking people where they need to go cheaper and quicker than ever before.
Many of the S & S Shortline young riders will have the option to commute up and down the Wasatch Front by train when they grow up. Those visitors riding Flanders' trains are excited about riding the rails.
"We've been looking forward to this all week," said Harmony Williams of Layton, who brought her three young children, Kali 6, Jaren 2, and Kole 1, for a birthday party at the park. "We loved it."
E-mail: dramsay@desnews.com