CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The upcoming outdoor event is all about sharing a tradition with a new generation. This is an interest that has existed for a very long time.

A building on Clarksville’s Madison Avenue attracts attention. A mural of the city in the style of Starry Night. What you don’t know is that the area in the back also includes cityscapes and some of the things going through them.

Watch the trains and their little town in the player above.

“This is the Clarksville Model Railroad Club!” member Kenny Keaton said he was surrounded by model trains.

“Someone will walk in the door and say, ‘Oh my God, look at this!'” said member Dave Straka. “he will say.” he added.

Kenny, Dave and David Sickmeier share very similar stories about what sparked their love of model trains.

“We had trains when we were kids,” Dave said.

“My dad bought me this for Christmas,” Kenny added. “I think it was 1959.”

“I was only 6 years old at the time,” David recalled. “I walked it around the Christmas tree!”

When they meet up with other club members, trains are maintained and communities are added in such detail that it’s like getting a peek into their lives.

“The details make it stand out,” Kenny said. “You can start putting little people around the cars, a little convenience store. Just be a little careful and go back in time yourself.”

There are practice lights above the baseball field. Tobacco is hanging in the barn. My favorite is the drive-in cinema.

Kenny smiled. “It’s never been done.”

“There are spaces downtown,” Dave added. “There are little shops up and down the streets.”

It’s not actually a specific place or time. This is just the pure beauty of the USA. And also good exit options.

The club has been in existence for nearly 30 years. About nine of them were in the back of the building on Madison Avenue. Club members said now is the right time to let people know what they are doing.

The Clarksville Model Railroad Club is holding an open house on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 420 Madison Avenue.

“We really want to get the younger generation to come here and enjoy this hobby like we do,” said Kenny.

“That’s probably our main goal, for it to be a part of their lives and for them to pass that on to their grandchildren,” David added.

Club members state that trains are now operated by phones and tablets and they want to see where the new generation can take all this.

“It would be nice to have this continue after we’re gone,” Dave said.

“It’s astronomical to find other people who have the same hobby, have the same passion for it, and love building,” Kenny said.

Do you have any positive, good news? You can email me at [email protected].

She carries on her husband’s legacy to raise money for Alzheimer’s research

I am so inspired by Sheila Gann’s love and resilience for her husband. Anyone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s knows how cruel this disease is; not only for the patient, but also for those who love and care for him. Mike and Sheila certainly had a remarkable love story, and now he’s honoring it in the most beautiful way. Thanks to Forrest Sanders for sharing his story.

-Carrie Sharp