By Peter De Keles

Author  Bio What happens when one person strikes a match of enthusiasm for Model Railroading in his small town? Read about what LSOL member Dick Chapple Sr has done to light a fire in Hardin, MT.

Historic Hardin Depot

LSOL member Dick Chapple Sr. has lived in Hardin, MT for nearly 27 years and during that time he has helped start many people down the rail of model railroading. He has never had any success in starting a club in his small town, population 3,700.

"I was frustrated with my efforts over the years to share the hobby in some way, whether through Church, Schools, Boy Scouts or Senior Citizens. We have a wonderful museum which I am a member of. I'm a caretaker for a great little American Flyer train layout display there." Dick said.

15 years ago a handful of people started "Friends of the Depot" to save and restore the Historic Hardin Depot. Dick said, "A slight hiccup occurred when the person in charge suddenly left town and never came back. While the effort continued with success, I was gone a lot with my over the road bus driving career."

Four years ago a break came when he was able to display his large garden scale display for 3 1/2 months in a local hardware store. Starting with 1880's trains he slowly changed out trains every few days until the final week when, Dick said, "I was running Dash 9's with container stack cars."

This event brought one business person to Dick who asked him to build a huge ceiling display in his store. They are currently planning more additions. This brought a lot more attention to Chapple's trains for the last four years.

"Though most people around here know I am train crazy, it took a chance lunch date with some good neighbors of mine and an active member of Friends of the Depot to bring up the possibility of a train display this year." Dick explains, "I went to our very next meeting, mentioned the plan of a large train display in the train depot and lo and behold the entire group was excited about it. They were looking for fresh ideas."

The first step was meeting with the Chamber of Commerce to request a waiver of the daily rental fee and again...they were also excited about it!

Dick says, "The support and volunteers for the show are growing. The Billings Montana Gazette will be running a story about the show; many individuals have come together to design and produce a handout for schools, businesses and organizations to support this show. It also will serve as the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday season for Hardin. It is exciting to see all this happening."

The Friends of the Depot came up with the name for the show, "Chapple's Train-Arama", even banners are being made, and they are talking more events along the way involving the trains.

A grant was approved this week to upgrade the interior of their Montana Centennial Baggage car on display. They will let Dick display trains in the car indefinitely. He have plans to keep it a dynamic display to make people come back to see what has changed. "I have been approached by the Chamber of Commerce to do a display during Little Big Horn Days in June 2013" Dick said.

With the right combination of patience and persistence Dick says, "Finally the time was right, I presented a dream and watched the people's faces light up and I could see the child like visions on their faces, they were reminiscing, while I presented my dream."

Chapple's Train-A-Rama will be held November 16th-25th at the Historical Hardin Depot, 10 East Railway, Hardin, MT. Hours will be 3pm to 8pm.

Train A Rama

I share the excitement with Mr. Chapple. I wish him the greatest success in bringing more folks back to a time that has produced such great memories. I hope there are a lot more Dick Chapples out there to bring this great hobby and pasttime to more and more that never had the chance to experience those days themselves. CBNQGRR Barstow, IL.

Dale Frels - 11/02/2012 - 19:49

Comments

I'm so happy for you Dick, and so glad your town finally came to the realization of what a treasure YOU are... Patience paid off... Good Luck with all of the great adventures ahead. Wish I was close enough to see all your hard work... God Speed!! Elaine

Elaine Haggenbottom - 11/03/2012 - 04:46

Train-A-Rama

Good morning everyone. Yes I really have been train crazy all my life but I can tell you this for sure. Because of the contagiousness of all the like minded LSOL members from day one on this site it keeps me trying. It feels so good to have that sense of belonging to a terrific group. So many members here are doing the same thing anyway they can to attract others to explore model railroading and appreciate the history of railroading in this world. By golly with all the youth we have in our old bodies(well a few of us anyway are old as dirt) getting together would truly be icing on the cake. By being "childlike" and youthful regardless of our physical limitations and age we can be contagious to those around us. Thanks to all for your support and for your cherished comments Dale and Elaine. I'd be absolutely giddy to have any LSOL buddy show up here sometime. That would be a big WOW for me. Have a great weekend all and I sure hope for the best for anyone suffering from that big Eastern Storm.

Richard Chapple Sr - 11/03/2012 - 10:03

Congrats

Way to go Dick! Awesome work.

Brad Bennett - 11/03/2012 - 15:05

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