This weekend my 4-year-old got to hang out with a few from the octogenarian set. Simply watching the way they talked with each other, it was clear they shared an understanding.  It was a deep, unabashed passion for the all powerful locomotive.

The first public railway came in 1803 in London and choo choos have been wowing kids and adults ever since.  On Saturday, we went to the High Wheelers Train Show at Harper College, where there were 23 detailed displays of moving trains.

The train cars ranged from being as small as a thumb drive to as tall as an iPad. They chugged along tracks that twisted through mountain tops, tunnels, the island of Sodor, a Hershey’s Chocolate-themed town and Legoland. They passed firefighters dousing a burning house, a Ferris wheel, log cabins and a parade through a German city equipped with revelers at a Biergarten.

The amount of detail that goes into these pieces is amazing. I love peering close to the displays to be surprised to find the most minute treasures. Like the woman in a bright pink dress who’s cooling off in a water tank or the two men playing a raucous round of checkers.  It’s also fun to talk to the train hobbyists because they’re ecstatic to share their love of trains. The model trains attract all kinds, creeds and ages.

Some of the trains are at eye-level for a 4-year-old, others are raised. This year (after seeing what other families did last year) we brought a step ladder. Most people have foldable foot stools, but I didn’t want to buy anything, even for as little as $5. So I convinced Hubby to bring our old step ladder.

He did so begrudgingly, but shortly after walking into the exhibit area was more than happy to have the step ladder in tow. It was great because we didn’t have to hold Logan up to get a great view.

There were some exhibits that were interactive in that you could drive the trains. (My favorite was a breast cancer awareness train that, naturally, had pink cars.) With a push of a button, you could also activate some of the scenery alongside the train track, like a move a man hawking newspapers or a dog run around a fire hydrant. It may sound pedestrian, but really, it’s kinda neat.

Kids can also race trains and create train-related crafts in the art area.

We saw train super stars like Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy and Edward. Also, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Tigger and other Disney pals were spotted riding the rails.

The highlight for Logan was watching replicas of the commuter Metra train. What baffled Hubby and me was that it was a basic display (no house-on-fire here) and Logan watched this train for a good 15-20 minutes. We both guessed it was because he has ridden that train several times before. We were more impressed with other displays (i.e. the aforementioned house-on-fire and Germantown parade.)

But we were at the train show for us, not Logan. We made the day all about him. He was stoked and is already talking about next year.

I heard from one of the train show officials today and he told me that it was the show’s 34^th year. They usually take place in the first weekend in March and as of now, the train show for 2013 is tentatively set for March 9^th and 10^th.  He also mentioned that generally 4,000 people attend the choo choo spectacular each year. That may sound like a lot, but it’s held in Harper College’s gym, so the crowds are manageable. This year we decided not to bring a stroller, for fear of navigating crowds but when we arrived, we realized that we could have had the stroller and been fine.

The cost was $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $2 for kids age 5 through 12. One tip: If you had a kid who’s under 12, the child could get in free by going to the show’s website and print out a coupon.

My favorite part of the show played itself out over and over again throughout the day. An older gentleman would look at my son who would be marveling at the train sets.

“Do you have a train at home?”

“Yes!” Logan would answer. “I have Thomas!”

“Aaaah, Thomas.” The old man would smile, nod and exchange knowing looks with my kid.

I don’t always understand what all is in that look, but it always makes me smile. And it’s why I love the High Wheelers Train Show.