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= 36 -- Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, November 21, 1994 a Model railroading a for all ages hobby The hobby of model railroading is fascinating for people of all ages, and about 1000 devotees showed up Saturday at the Pine Ridge Railroaders annual show and sale held at Dwyer High School in Oshawa. They came to admire the many displays set up by model railroad clubs and with Christmas just around the corner, to check out the bargains from the many dealers on everything from old photos, sweatshirts to the latest in cars, tracks and engines. been greater at a time when the real thing in Canada is disappearing from the tracks. "There's a certain amount of nostalgia, an attempt to hold on to the so-called 'good old days," said Brian Acton, a member of the Pine Ridge Club for the past several years. He noted as well that many collectors and railroad buffs have never seen a steam engine. The Pleasant Point resident first got interested in model trains more than 20 years ago when he bought a set for his son as a Christmas gift. It is ironic that the interest in model railroading has never As.it turned out, his son In these idle weeks of autumn without NHL hockey there are a million stories of those being hurt. Everyone from the Zamboni driver to fans who suffered through Ernest Scared Stupid on Saturday night have a tale of woe. What of the players, though? Does anyone care" We tend to lump them together as a group of fat cat millionaires just losing a little pocket change while they lounge around a pool in Hawaii waiting for the inconvenience to end, but that's hardly the case. There is one group, in fact, that stands io lose much more than money as the lockout lingers on. There are more than 130 players in the NHL, or almost 20 per cent, who are 30 years of age or older. Many of them are on one- year contracts: some are lucky enough to have two-year deals: while few, like Wayne Gretzky, are in the star category. A good portion of the older players need every edge to keep up in a game that has no sympathy for tired old legs. Some will have trouble catching up if the lockout is three months long. Many could be finished if the season is wiped out. "There's an adage that you're as good as your last three weeks," says Dr. Doug Clement. And the last three weeks for some players were in April. Clement is prominent at UBC's sports medicine clinic and advises some of Canada's top athletes. He's only recently begun working with hockey players. "The biggest single factor is that somewhere along the line mind games start going on. Players think they can sluff off for a while | because there's not going to be a season, ice time is difficult to find, and there's no deadline to shoot for like there Is at the opening of training camp." All the while younger legs are working every day in the minors in hopes of being ready to snag a job. Likely the job of a journeyman pro who's not seen action since the battle began on the frozen plains of Goodenow. And while it's imperative for players to organize games to keep in shape, there's no substitute for the highest level of competition. "Charmagne Crooks is an athlete who missed an entire year because of an Injury," offers Cements as an example of an over 30 comeback. "She trained hard and won a medal at the Commonwealth Games but every year in the last four she has broken two minutes inthe 800 metres until this year, after the year off, she didn't." - Most of hockey's over-30 athletes have contracts worth dollars they'd never imagined making. It's money they'll never make up with the meter running on their longevity. Thirty isn't old but its a formidable age after 10 years of travel and the pounding of pro hockey. It's an age when many players need eviy practice and all of their cunning to stay in the game. Too long away from it will mean many of them won't. sponsored by "Jim Hughson" Aung YAMAHA & Service YAMAHA The Power ToSatisly- Hwy. 57, Three miles South of Blackstock (905) 986-4437 showed not the slightest, interest, so the cars, engines and tracks stayed in the boxes for several years until Brian assembled the set in the basement. He's been a club member for eight years and said there are several things about model railroading that appeal to people, such as the creativity that goes into painting the rolling stock and the setting. And he said, model railroaders come from all walks of life and from just about every country, with the interest cutting through all language and other barriers. And yes, he admits, with a bit of a smile, model railroading brings out a bit of the youngster in all of us. The most popular guage (track width) is H.O. Brian is a collector of N Scale, at 9 mm wide, it is the second smallest model track guage in the world. And he said there is lots of friendly competition between H.O. buffs and those who enjoy the smaller N Scale. Getting started in model railroads is relatively in- expensive, Brian said. For about $60, a kid of any age can buy tracks and the basic engine and cars. From there, they sky is the limit in adding new pieces as the budget allows. Brain said that not only does he find railroading a fascinating hobby, it has proven to be a very important form of therapy for him the past year or so as he recovers slowly from serious injuries suffered in an automobile accident. There are about 60 members of the Pine Ridge Railroaders Club and they get together each Monday night to enjoy their favourite hobby. If you'd like info on the Club or about this fascinating hobby, give Brian a call at 705-786- 1211. Li. IE ai 1k Pineridge Rallroader Club members Brian Acton, Enno Kaaslk and Jenn Richter at the club's model show and sale on Saturday. See story left. Eaglettes soar to amazing heights The XL Gas Bar Eaglettes, Novice C Ringette team improved their record to.3 wins and 2 losses when they beat Richmond Hill on Sat. The Eaglettes rang up 11 goals in the first period and 6 in the second on their way to a 17-1 win. Scoring for Port Perry were Nicole Ansell (5), Christine Cotie (4), Ceilidh Baxter (3), Sarah Aldridge (2), with Whitney Reid, Holly Allison and Heather Imrie netting singles. Just as important, were the assists made by Amanda Curry (2), Whitney (2), Nicole, Christine, Sarah, Heather, KAWARTHA CONSUMERS CO-OPERATIVE] INC. ©® Feed @ Fertilizer go 0p LINDSAY 1-705-324-7761 STABLES AT GREYSTONE mt. RESTAURANT 2 By It's Time Again! Invite your family, friends or staff for a unique Christmas dining experience at Stables at Greystone. Book your holiday parties early to RR#2, SHIRLEY RD, PORT PERRY 985-1598 Ceilidh and Shannon Hatfield. Combined with Port Perry's overpowering offense, the tough defence put up by Jackie Pashley, Brooke Simpson. Hailey Wilson, Jessica Dow, Shannon Urquhar and Jenna Davison left very few opportunities for Richmond Hill to score. As well, the great goaltending effort put out by Jill Hunter held the opponents to just 1 goal. From the Coaches' perspective, highlights of the game were the improved passing and defense. Keep up the good work! The Ehglettes travel to Ajax and Brooklin for the next 2 weeks but return home to battle Mariposa on Dec. 10th. Great season ahead From page 27 youths 12-16 are planned for November 19 and December 10 and next spring there will be a "thank you" dinner, for the 57 landowners who give permission to have the trails on their property. } Mr. Harper said snowmobilers in this part of the province enjoyed a great season last winter and are looking forward to bigger and better things this winter. The only thing missing now is ° the white stuff and that is surely on the way in the very near future. If you want any information about this sport, feel free to contact Mr. Harper at 985-7824.