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Train display set for take off
Lynne Mowbray
David Lorenzo has had a passion for model trains for around 15 years.
The train enthusiast, who previously displayed his trains to the public at Harwood, has just relocated his massive display within an empty hanger, at the South Grafton aerodrome.
The extensive train track, if laid in a straight line, would stretch for 23 kilometres.
Mr Lorenzo has created replica cities and villages around his train track.
One of the most impressive replicas is the village of Harwood with the Harwood sugar mill and even the Harwood cricket oval with replica grandstand and score board.
This is not just your standard model train track.
Mr Lorenzo’s eye for detail is outstanding, with just about anything you can think of included in his massive display.
He has chimneys with smoke coming out of the stack, and heaps of features using lights and sounds.
There is a coal mine displaying the underground workers, a gold mine, harbour, cane fields, drive-in theatre, timber yards, quarry, golf courses, playground with working see saw, fishing trawlers, airport, ferries, Luna Park, a battlefield with smoking buildings and a Lightening McQueen race track with cars reaching an official speed of 65 kilometres-per-hour (as tracked by a police radar gun).
Apart from other motorised helicopters, Mr Lorenzo said that he has the world’s smallest motorised helicopter.
“It is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records,” he said.
“All up I have 112 trains in my collection, however only 18 run at a time.”
Hidden amongst the massive display are tiny Minions and Mr Lorenzo will run a “find the Minion” competition for the children.
This is the largest model train display, open to the public, in northern NSW – according to Australian Model Train magazine.
The model train display will be officially opened on August 16, during the Grafton Aero Club’s Wings and Wheels open day at the South Grafton Aerodrome.
Entry to the display is by gold coin donation which will go to assist the Grafton Community Bus along with other charities at a later date.
The model train display is open to the public, schools and interested community groups every day from 1pm – 5pm and closed on Tuesdays.
The display is wheel chair friendly.
For more information: David Lorenzo – 0412 645 405.