Most toddlers will tell you there's something irresistable about trains. Whether it's the evocative sound of a far off freight rumbling through the night, the smell of oil and hot metal or the visual spectacle of these mighty machines barreling down the track, trains hold a special place in the American collective unconscious. While model trains may not be quite as overwhelming to the senses are their full-sized versions, many train fans find them a fulfilling hobby, about as close to driving a train as they're going to get. This weekend, the Anaheim Convention Center is hosting the National Model Train Show featuring everything you could possibly need to run your own tiny railroad. There will also be demonstrations, collectible appraisers and a mini-land composed entirely of LEGOs. But be careful: these trains are so small, you really could derail them by putting a penny on the track.
Fri., July 18, 12-6 p.m.; Sat., July 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., July 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2008
