Matthew Drennan wanted to help his community, support local businesses and feed his own passion when he opened a hobby shop on Woodstock’s Historic Square. Every October, he keeps that commitment with Rail Fest, which runs Oct. 12-13 this year.
Drennan, the owner of M.D. Trains, gets businesses across the Square to set up train displays in their shops for customers to enjoy.
“The event is a lot of fun and exposes people to the hobby of railroading while exploring downtown,” he says. “People are walking in and out of shops to see the trains, often visiting places they have never gone into before.”
M.D. Trains is a hobby shop with an emphasis on model trains. Drennan buys, sells and consigns collectible and new model trains. It started as a home business in 2014, and in 2018 he moved into the Square. He started Rail Fest in 2020.
Four times a year, Drennan offers classes. The next one is Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. and covers basic maintenance of trains. Other sessions might touch on lighting, painting, scenery building and getting started.
“If you start a new hobby, people don’t often give it up,” he says. “Trains, especially, bring back feelings of nostalgia for things that are missing in today’s computer age.”
Drennan had his own train set as a child, and he enjoyed visiting train museums. He worked for a “G” scale train dealer until it went out of business. He then provided products, did technical analysis, and helped train staff on installing and operating displays at Lincoln Park Conservatory, Sea World and Epcot Center in Disney World. Through Rail Fest, he continues to share his passion with others.
Catch Rail Fest on the Woodstock Square or visit M.D. Trains at 124 Cass St., Ste. 1, (815) 276-9982.