‘Travel’ on these mini trains

Chennai Rail Museum in Villivakkam will play host to collectors and designers of scale-model trains and railroads from April 25 to 27. On all three days, the event will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Technical but interesting”. That is how K.R.S. Ganesan describes the model that he will be showcasing while takes this reporter on a virtual tour of his Ashok Nagar house to show what he is currently working on. The hall has been converted into a work station. The control system is in another room. Many other enabling items required to complete the exhibit are parked in other rooms.

The fully automated layout on a HO scale is being designed using TrainController software. “It is a totally hands free operation with automatic control. All scheduling and stops are set,” says Ganesan, a civil engineer. He explains visitors will be shown how a slow train is stopped at a loop line and then a fast train overtakes it.

Due to limited space, the train enthusiast will be arranging his exhibit in a 24x8 space at the venue.

Although fascinated with trains from a young age, it was just before retirement that he got started with the hobby. “I had eight engines and 200 feet track in 2013,” says Ganeshan, who retired as senior deputy general manager from L&T. Rolling stock like goods wagons and passenger coaches together added to more than 30 over the years.

“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 completed a large layout in a hall of 40 x 15 incorporating several operational features using this software. Model railroading is an activity of constant improvement and learning. “A hobby that can last a lifetime,” he adds.

For the first time, 72-year-old Sundaram Parthasarathi will be showcasing a running model of the Vande Bharat Express done to scale. An enthusiastic collector of train models, Sundaram is into this hobby for 35 years. Last year, he showcased the Chennai Metro Rail. A few years ago, Sterling Resorts commissioned a project, which he was on board; he partnered with another expert to design the Nilgiri Mountain Railway for one of their properties.