Thanks to one man who elevated his pastime to a new level, Christmas Tree Lane becomes a must-visit location for model train enthusiasts every holiday season.
The beginning of what has become a popular vacation destination began in 2010 when Rob Caves began constructing model train sets in San Diego.
In reality, the model is restricted to Cave’s house, yet it figuratively extends from San Diego to Seattle. Before arriving at the Space Needle in Seattle, the train passes by famous locations such as the San Clemente Pier, the former famous Fry’s Electronics building in Burbank, the graffiti-covered banks of the LA River, Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, and train stations in Palmdale and Lancaster.
Cave mentioned the Christmas Tree Lane Model Railroad Society, a group that assists him in running the model set, when he said, “I think the track represents places we’ve all been.” “Brings memories, whether it’s camping as a kid or going to the beach and seeing the train and waving at the engineer.”
He claims that when he began 15 years ago, the track was significantly smaller. It soon expanded into what he refers to as a “60 foot by 90 foot labor of love,” for which he currently creates the majority of the trains and monuments using a 3-D printer.
Logan Montori, who is seven and a half years old, is one of the fifty members of the club that assist Cave in maintaining the set.
“I think my favorite thing is running trains,” Montori says.
Tom Selinske, a professor of commerce at a college and another club member, claims that trains are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
“There’s microchips in these little engines that actually can do sounds, create different effects, and it’s becoming more digital,” he stated. “So, keeping up with the technology is one of the fun things to keep learning about.”
Every holiday season, Caves welcomes guests to his house so they can experience the same emotions that so many others have when they see the wonder.
It simply brightens our day. What if we witness the children running up to watch the train? When they come here, everyone is a huge kid,” he remarked.
Cave’s house will be closed on Saturday until the following holiday season. His residence, which can be found at 2085 Santa Rosa Avenue, will be open from 5 to 11 p.m.
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