A lifetime pursuit
“Technical but interesting”. That is how Okay.R.S. Ganesan describes the mannequin that he will probably be showcasing whereas takes this reporter on a digital tour of his Ashok Nagar home to point out what he’s at present working on. The corridor has been transformed into a piece station. The management system is in one other room. Many different enabling gadgets required to finish the exhibit are parked in different rooms.
The absolutely automated structure on a HO scale is being designed utilizing TrainController software program. “It is a totally hands free operation with automatic control. All scheduling and stops are set,” says Ganesan, a civil engineer. He explains guests will probably be proven how a sluggish prepare is stopped at a loop line after which a quick prepare overtakes it.
Due to restricted area, the prepare fanatic will probably be arranging his exhibit in a 24×8 area on the venue.
Although fascinated with trains from a younger age, it was simply earlier than retirement that he received began with the interest. “I had eight engines and 200 feet track in 2013,” says Ganeshan, who retired as senior deputy common supervisor from L&T. Rolling inventory like items wagons and passenger coaches collectively added to greater than 30 over time.
“I am keen on designing operational layouts to show signals and time of start/stop functions and schedules using Train Controller software,” he says.
In 2018, he accomplished a big structure in a corridor of 40 x 15 incorporating a number of operational options utilizing this software program. Model railroading is an exercise of fixed enchancment and studying. “A hobby that can last a lifetime,” he provides.
An costly interest
For the primary time, 72-year-old Sundaram Parthasarathi will probably be showcasing a operating mannequin of the Vande Bharat Express finished to scale. An enthusiastic collector of prepare fashions, Sundaram is into this interest for 35 years. Last yr, he showcased the Chennai Metro Rail. A number of years in the past, Sterling Resorts commissioned a challenge, which he was on board; he partnered with one other knowledgeable to design the Nilgiri Mountain Railway for considered one of their properties.
His railway displays are handmade. “I do not buy accessories such as signals and station buildings. I make them myself,” he says, including that a couple of of the tracks are computerised.
His 20×10 ft, U-shaped room at his home in Abhiramapuram is his lab the place he experiments with prepare scale fashions for hours.
During Navarathri, his prepare fashions are a showstopper. At different instances of the yr, he welcomes colleges to check out the railway displays.
A mechanical engineer by career, Sundaram warmed as much as the interest throughout a go to to The United Kingdom.
“The company sent me to the U.K. in 1986 and that is when I seriously started collecting train models. During weekends, I used to buy second hand items,” says Sundaram, who retired as particular director from Ashok Leyland in 2013.
He agrees that is an “expensive hobby” however it’s a particular pleasure if you find yourself within the firm of 60 others (referring to the WhatsApp group with members unfold throughout India and from a couple of different nations) exchanging notes on the finer points of this pursuit.
On the proper monitor
Seventy-year-old C.B. Malhotra, often called Shyam on this interest circle, is undecided what he will probably be showcasing within the upcoming exhibition.
Last yr was the primary time Shyam took half within the Heritage Train Model Exhibition organised by ICF, although he’s into this interest for 20 years.
“That sparkle in the eyes of children when they see our trains running is more satisfying then collecting models or running them,” says the resident of George Town.
Shyam’s love for prepare fashions began throughout his childhood. His father had the behavior of getting him a present after the ultimate examination. “I would ask for a train,” says Shyam.
Later, he noticed a working mannequin and the bug bit him. Shyam began the interest in 1999 when he was in his 40s.
“When I got started on the hobby, I would go to second hand markets and that is where I came across a few people and that bond grew,” he says the interest is addictive, typically resulting in spend steady hours on it.
For mother and father making an attempt to wean their kids from devices, he presents smart counsel: “Make sure you provide your children with exposure to as many hobbies as possible,” says the businessman, including {that a} childhood interest might be good firm and a small supply of earnings as effectively.
Full steam forward
The shrill whistle, the fuming boilers and the billowing plumes of steam. Never thoughts for those who and your era haven’t seen steam locomotive engines, Mahendra Kumar (who’s from a era that has) can recreate them for you.
“My dad used to take me to railway stations just for me to watch the engines and during one such outing, I got to see a steam engine,” remembers Mahendra, a HR supervisor.
His fascination for trains was additional fuelled throughout annual visits to the Island Grounds the place the commerce truthful was organised and Integral Coach Factory had a stall the place they might showcase operating prepare fashions.
Many years later in 2018, a visit to Darjeeling reignited this fascination. Since then, Mahendra has been accumulating scale fashions. Today “HO” “Double O” and “G” scale fashions high his assortment adopted by a small variety of “N” scale fashions.
At the exhibition, the Anna Nagar resident will probably be showcasing his assortment of steam-based locomotives and prepare buses.
A member of HO Scale Collectors Group, the HR skilled, who additionally has a group of vehicle fashions, says invitation to the group is barely via reference.
Published – April 20, 2025 12:55 am IST
