A family checks out an N scale layout.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Alex Van Zanten’s grandfather worked on the Grand Trunk Railroad from 1909 to 1912, before taking a job a then-fledgling cereal company started by a man named W.K. Kellogg.

When Kellogg died, he willed his favorite white cane to Van Zanten’s grandfather. And in the highly detailed model train module Van Zanten had on display at the Rails on Wheels train show in Ann Arbor today, a small figure of a man sitting on a park bench with a white cane watched the trains race by.

For Van Zanten, and others in his 11-member Peninsular Modular Railroad Club that joined him the show, the small figure is an example of why they are so passionate about their trains.

“We can tell our stories through the hobby and the fun of it,” he said. “This club in particular really enjoys the little details.”

Bob Nissly of Ann Arbor looks at some of the model train cars for sale.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Roughly a dozen similar clubs and 45 vendors selling model trains and their accessories gathered at the 11th annual Southeast Michigan Model Train Show at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds to share their hobby and passion with more than 1,000 guests of all ages.

Jeff Fryman, director of Rails on Wheels, said the show distinguishes itself from others because it brings all varieties of model trains under one roof.

“This is a broader interest show, a larger show, and it’s been an excellent day with a great turnout,” he said.

Among the various operating layouts were HO scale, N scale and even a Lego train display.

Jay Snider, a vendor from Clark Lake, said he's particularly fond of the N Scale layouts because of the intricacy of detail in the scenery around the tracks.

His 10-member Jackson-based club has a 40-foot by 12-foot layout that includes a milling area, steel processing plant and grain elevators.

A module that's part of the the Peninsular Modular Railroad Club's layout is shown.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

When the group meets, each member has a role to make the trains function and do their job properly, which involves more than just simply watching a train go around a track.

“It’s really a lot of fun,” Snider said. “It’s a hobby where you can really express your artistic ability through the scenery and also learn a lot about electronics.”

Snider said it took roughly five years to build the layout, and he’s been collecting and working on the N scale trains for about 15 years.

Snider grew up in West Virginia along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Line, which was the first common carrier in the country, and fell in love with trains as a boy.

“I’ve always liked trains since watching them go by on the B and O Line,” he said.

Bob Nissly of Ann Arbor came to check out the different model trains, and his thoughts on the event reflected the expressions on the faces of visitors, young and old.

“This is really fun,” he said. “I just marvel at all the cars. It’s really fascinating.”

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.