Celebrities who like trains! | Entertrainment Junction (2024)
March 20, 2021
Celebrities can (sometimes) be just like us! They have their own hobbies and passions outside of acting or performing. We even have a special sign in our layout showcasing some celebrities who just so happen to like model railroading!
Just a few examples: Tom Hanks’ love of model trains reportedly made him eager to sign on as a voice actor in the 2004 filmThe Polar Express. Elton John reportedly has a model railroad running through his garden. Frank Sinatra collected Lionel and tinplate model trains. He even had an entire cottage dedicated to his hobby. Walt Disney loved model trains and often included railroads in his cartoons, films, and theme parks. In the 1970s, Johnny Cash appeared in TV commercials for Lionel Trains. One of our favorites, though, is Neil Young, who now has a special connection to EnterTRAINment Junction.
Thanks to Young,EnterTRAINment Junction now owns a piece of music history! We have singer,Neil Young’spersonal touring Lionel train display. You can see a guest video of ithere.
What most people don’t know is that Young was an avid model-train collector. (He even purchased part ofLionelusing an investment group!) Young’s sons suffered from cerebral palsy so the singer used model trains as a way to interact with them and share in a hobby together. He even developed special controls which allowed his sons to control switching and power using what’s called a paddle system. The boys were able to lean into the remote control to power the trains.
Many of Young’s fans were unaware of his hobby, but during his 1997 H.O.R.D.E festival tour his fans got to see his other passion in life: model trains. Fans would wander into a tent and stand in awe at the train display that traveled around with the singer which was approximately 320 feet of track.
Another fun fact about Neil Young is the connection we have to him! John Kitterman, a name you might remember as being the builder of ourConey Islanddisplay, worked with Young during his touring days. Kitterman did a lot of Lionel projects with Young as well as build the train layout for the H.O.R.D.E. tour. (which we now have on display!) He was the tour bus driver during the CSNY tour and worked closely with Young and his crew.
We are so thankful to Young and Kitterman and are happy to share this piece of music history with the rest of our guests!
Elton John reportedly has a model railroad running through his garden. Frank Sinatra collected Lionel
Lionel
Lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. Lionel trains have been produced since 1900, and their trains were admired by model railroaders around the world for the solidity of their construction and the authenticity of their detail.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Lionel_Corporation
and tinplate model trains. He even had an entire cottage dedicated to his hobby. Walt Disney loved model trains and often included railroads in his cartoons, films, and theme parks.
Neil Young loves model trains so much that he is a part owner of Lionel Trains. Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1945, Neil Young is a quintessential singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has significantly influenced the music world for over half a century.
"Model train building is a nostalgia thing," a spokesman for the company said. "Dads and grandads alike are introducing their kids to it because it's what they themselves grew up with – they either collected Hornby as a kid or they were around for genuine old steam trains."
The process of building a model railway can be meditative and calming, allowing you to switch off from the stresses of everyday life. The rhythmic sound of the trains and the sight of them moving around your model can be very soothing and therapeutic.
A railfan, rail buff or train buff (American English), railway enthusiast, railway buff or trainspotter (Australian/British English), or ferroequinologist is a person who is recreationally interested in trains and rail transport systems.
Elton John reportedly has a model railroad running through his garden. Frank Sinatra collected Lionel and tinplate model trains. He even had an entire cottage dedicated to his hobby. Walt Disney loved model trains and often included railroads in his cartoons, films, and theme parks.
Loveable actor Tom Hanks is said to be a huge model railways hobbyist. It's beacuse of his hobby, that Hanks was so excited to sign up to voice the conductor in the 2004 film, The Polar Express.
I think the railroad hobby is going to see a fair amount of growth over the next 20 years. We're already seeing increased interest from younger generations. There are almost always groups of teens and young adults with cameras and tripods when I go trackside, which definitely wasn't as much the case even a decade ago.
There is no single answer to your question. All sorts of people like trains and a fascination with them often begins in childhood. Nerds may take the time to gain broader knowledge about trains than the average person does, leading to a fuller appreciation of the iron horse.
8- Nostalgia — Some people have fond memories of building a model railroad when they were a kid. Bringing some of these happy memories back is part of the appeal of a model railroad. The nostalgia can also transport them to a time when the world was simple without social media and all the craziness of the world.
HO Scale. "HO" means "half - o;" models are half the size of O Scale. HO is the most popular scale with the greatest selection of sets and accessories, as it allows lots of railroad action in a small area. Children may need adult help to set up or take down the set.
The HO Scale is 1:87, half of the O scale. They run on a gauge of .625 inches. Because of its small size, the HO Scale has become one of the most popular scales for model trains.
A railfan or railway enthusiast and sometimes also called a trainspotter is a person interested, recreationally, in rail transport. Railfans of many ages can be found worldwide.
“Foamers” is how railroad employees refer to railfans because they think we “foam” at the mouth anytime we see a train. To them, railroading is just a job. To us, it's a passion.
Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris did a commercial for American Flyer Trains back in the early 1960's, and rocker Neil Young was part owner of Lionel Trains. Tom Brokaw is following in his predecessor David Brinkley's path as an HO collector. But of course, our hobby is accessible to all – not just celebrities.
Neil Young and Richard Kughn formed Liontech, which was formed to create new model trains and sound system. In 1994, Young and Lionel's Trainmaster Command Control, which allowed train models to be controlled by remote controls. In closing, Neil Young wanted the trains to basically be more tech and remote control.
Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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