Picture perfect: Celebrate model railroading with BNSF
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff writer
Model railroading traces its origins to the early 19th century, with the first documented model railway created in 1859 by Emperor Napoleon III of France. Known as the Railway of the Prince Imperial, it was built for his 3-year-old son. By 1891, German manufacturer Märklin began mass-producing model train sets, and by the early 1950s, model railroading had become a popular U.S. pastime.
Fast forward to 2024, and model railroading continues to bridge generations and evoke nostalgia.
November, designated as National Model Railroad Month, celebrates this enduring hobby. To mark the occasion, BNSF hosted a Model Railroad Photo Contest. Let’s visit the winners’ amazing layouts!
First Place: Erik Lindgren
Lindgren’s fascination with trains began at age five, when he received a Lionel Chesapeake Flyer set from his parents in 1978. A few years later, his father gave him a book titled All Aboard!: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company.
“I was exposed to post-war Lionel trains and the golden era of railroading, from the transition from steam to diesel,” Lindgren said. Now an illustrator, photographer and artist with a degree in fine arts, Lindgren makes railroads the centerpiece of his work.
“I model in O scale (1:48) to achieve authenticity with era-specific details,” he said. “The images I submitted were created over a decade ago, long before AI tools.”
Second Place: Lee Evans
With 20 years in the hobby, Evans shared simple advice: “Just dive in. Learn as you go.”
Third Place: Daryl Gabbard
Gabbard’s journey with model railroading began at age 10, inspired by a Santa Fe Warbonnet locomotive he saw in 1999 and his grandfather’s passion for Burlington Northern Railroad, both BNSF predecessors.
“My grandfather had a layout in his garage, and I loved watching him operate the trains,” Gabbard said. Today, he continues the tradition with his son, Anakin.
Honorable Mention: Erik Lindgren
In addition to his winning entry (above), Lindgren created this stunning scene of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway’s Blue Goose, a robin’s egg blue and silver locomotive, traveling from La Junta, Colorado, to Chicago.
Honorable Mention: Clint Marlow
A BNSF coal train emerges from a mountain tunnel.
Marlow began model railroading 13 years ago, when he got his first O-gauge train. “Three years ago, I started building more detailed layouts, shown in my picture, with the help of my mom,” Marlow said.
He’s always loved trains.
“My Pawpaw and I would sit by the tracks for hours waiting to watch trains go by,” he said. “When I discovered model railroading, I knew that I had to get a layout of my own.”
Honorable Mention: Paul Patti
A Warbonnet-led passenger train winds through snow-capped mountains.
Patti has been fascinated with trains since he could walk.
“My grandmother's house was on the mainline going out of Denison, Texas,” he recalled. “I loved to watch the trains whenever we visited her.”
Honorable Mention: Daryl Gabbard
BNSF 6075 leads passenger cars past the Wilton train station toward the Benton rail yard.
Advice for Beginners
If you’re considering diving into model railroading, the winners shared their tips:
- Erik Lindgren: “Choose a scale that fits your space. HO scale is the most popular and offers the widest variety of models. Visit a local hobby shop or train show to explore your options.”
- Daryl Gabbard: “Building a layout is a long process but worth the effort. Don’t let costs discourage you—there’s always a way to start small and grow.”
- Clint Marlow: “Take your time and plan before you begin construction. Enjoy the journey.”
- Paul Patti: “Attend a train show and connect with local modelers. Many are eager to share knowledge, and you might even find a club to join.”
To view all the entries, search #BNSFmodelrailroad on Instagram or join the Friends of BNSF Facebook group. Thank you to all the talented modelers who submitted entries.
Explore our previous Rail Talk articles that highlight other model railroads:
- Grand visions at a small scale: Model railroaders celebrate BNSF heritage
- A tale of two pastimes: LEGO® model train layout takes center stage
- Modeling enthusiast brings love of trains and smiles to senior home residents
- Employee’s passion for trains shines through in model railroad
Model railroading is more than a hobby—it’s a way to preserve history and spark imagination.
