One man’s passion for the railroad takes his hobby to the next level

There is something enchanting about the railroad that draws people to make it a hobby with model trains. For one Brunswick County man, he’s taken that hobby a step farther than most, making it a big part of his home.

It may look and sound like a railroad yard, but it’s really Billy Medlin’s bedroom, and his living room and dining room; filled with his passion for model trains.

Back in December 1937, when Billy saw a man burning off along the train tracks that ran nearby his home, the five-year-old had an idea.

“I decided I would burn my right of way off. Of course, I caught on fire,” said Medlin. He landed in the hospital for Christmas; a stay that would change his life in a couple of ways.

“Santa Claus brought me a couple trains while I was in the hospital,” Medlin said. This included a wind up model, sparking a romance with the railroad; especially the names of the rail lines. “The Great Northern, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Western Pacific, ATS&F, Burlington.”

And of course the Seaboard and Atlantic Coast that rode the rails he grew up near. While serving in the Coast Guard in the 1950’s, Billy’s passion for trains was rekindled during a visit to a Baltimore bar. “The bartender on his bar had a Baltimore & Ohio steam locomotive with a coal tender and a couple of flat cars that he’d bring you milk or beer down to you.”

Nowadays, Billy has his own version of the B&O running under his bedroom ceiling. He started hanging tracks with the help of a carpenter in 2006, shortly after his wife died. Now he keeps them on display for all to enjoy, including his daughters.

“I think they think I’m nuts some times,” said Billy.

His brothers come over and play with them, too; reminding them of treasured childhood memories. “It was just good to live by the railroad,” added Billy.