Train owners and enthusiasts meet up in Farmington

Dozens rode the rails of S&S Shortline Railroad during the annual spring train meet.

There, several train owners from across the state and beyond showcased their trains while giving visitors rides around the tracks. The meet was at the railroad, 575 W. 1525 North, Farmington, on June 22 and 23.

More than a dozen trains, many of them one-eighth the scale of a regular locomotive, were on display.

"We invite them to bring their trains up and run them on their track," said Steve Flanders, owner of S&S Shortline Railroad. "At that same time, we invite the public to come and see some of their equipment."

Robbie Diehl from Williams, Ariz., brought his model of a 2-6-0 mogul steam engine to the meet.

"This is all a big hobby," he said, adding that he goes to places like California and Montana to ride others' rails.

He enjoys running his steam engine.

"People never see the steam engine so they are always amazed," he said.

Denise Begue of Salt Lake City brought her 2-year-old son to the train meet.

"I've never been here before and it's fabulous," she said.

Begue said her son, Alexander, liked the train's engine as well its sounds.

"We just rode the big train and we're all excited to ride the other train," she said.

Mike Hansen of Spanish Fork brought his one-sixth scale train to the meet.

"I've loved trains since I was 5 years old," he said.

Hansen works as an engineer for the Heber Valley Railroad. This was the first meet he attended at S&S Shortline Railroad, but he has brought his train to the railroad on other occasions.

"It's a big area," he said of the 10 1/2-acre-railroad and museum. "It's very nice, well designed."

Hansen brought along his two sons, Carson and Matthew.

"My dad wanted to look at tons and tons of trains," said Carson, 9.

Carson said he likes trains but not as much as his dad does.

"A little bit less," he said, adding that his younger brother, Matthew, 2, shares their father's passion.

Carson said he like riding the trains.

"You see, like, all the stuff around," he said.