By Alyssa Guidugli
Milestones are always worth celebrating, especially when they represent years of dedication, passion, and community involvement. This year, the sHOw Modular Model Railroad Club celebrated a major one, their 25th Annual Model Train Show & Sale.
At the Historic RailPark & Train Museum, we are fortunate to work closely with the sHOw club, and we are proud to highlight this incredible milestone. Recently, I had the chance to talk with long-time club member Mike Dowell about the history of the club and how it has grown over the years.
The sHOw Modular Model Railroad Club was founded in 1993 by John Oakes with just 11 members who shared a love of model trains and a desire to bring that passion to the community. From the very beginning, the club focused on sharing the hobby with others, whether through school visits, public displays, or community events.
What began as a small group has grown into an organization that continues to inspire train enthusiasts of all ages.
For many families in Bowling Green, the club’s displays have become part of cherished traditions. Their modular train layout has been a favorite feature during the RailPark’s Polar Express Storytime event each Christmas season, where children gather to watch the trains circle the tracks with wide-eyed excitement.
Mike shared how rewarding it has been to watch generations of families enjoy the displays. Children who once stood in front of the layout, amazed by the trains, are now returning with children of their own, continuing a love of trains that spans generations.
For Mike personally, the club also played a role in inspiring his own son’s interest in trains and engineering. Those early experiences around model railroads became lasting memories and helped shape a lifelong passion.
The sHOw club’s success is rooted in the dedication of its members and their commitment to sharing the joy of trains with the community. Their Model Train Show & Sale, now held twice each year in February and August, continues to bring enthusiasts together while welcoming new people into the hobby.
We are grateful for the many ways the sHOw Modular Model Railroad Club contributes to the RailPark and to the Bowling Green community.
Congratulations to the club on celebrating 25 years of train shows. We look forward to many more years of partnership, memories, and model trains running down the tracks.
Photos by Grace McDowell, Bowling Green Daily News
