Train, tracks, tradition

Traditions, especially Christmas traditions, are an important part of the culture of any community. One tradition that has been a thrill for the young and old alike is the Christmas train display on 7th Avenue in Laurel.

The late Sam Lindsey, a train enthusiast and former owner of the Hobby Corner, which is now closed, began the display many years ago. When Richard Witty and his wife Nilda bought the Lindsey’s home on 7th Avenue, he knew that the train display had to be reinstated.

“My wife always wanted a house near Mason Park,” Witty said. “We moved in on July 4, 2004. I immediately asked our neighbor if he knew what happed to the train.”

Through his investigation Witty found out that the train was given to Dr. Ned Turnbull who had been setting the display up at his home on Stonesthrow Drive for several years. Witty, desiring to see the train return to its original home, contacted Turnbull and asked him if he would like to set the train back up at its original home, and Turnbull agreed.

“He (Turnbull) set up the train and showed me how to run it,” Witty said.

Since 2004, the train has once again been a staple Christmas attraction in Laurel.

“The whole idea of returning the train was simply because of Christmas tradition,” Witty said. “Long before the park was decorated, the train was the big thing on 7th Avenue. We always loved the train, and it was very special to my children as they were growing up.”

Witty said that it is not unusual for he and his wife to receive phone calls and personal words of thanks from area residents for “the train running in Mr. Lindsey’s yard like he used to do it.”

“After the first year, we had lots of phone calls from people so happy to have it back,” Witty said. “One lady said she had tears in her eyes when she saw that the train had returned.”

“I was really sad when I heard Mr. Lindsey died,” Witty continued. “He loved trains so much, and he loved the Hobby Corner. People said he was a kid at heard, and his love was model trains.”

The trains, track, toy soldier statues and Santa Claus replica are all parts of Lindsey’s original collection. The G-gauge locomotive has pulled the cars around the track countless times, and has begun to wear down. Witty said he plans to have the trains restored following this holiday season, which will bring new life and speed to the display.

Each year the trains are on display from the first part of December to the first part of January.

“We love for people to stop, get out and look,” Witty said.