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Page 7 · column 1 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
By SHARON KILPATRICK
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
In spite of growing up and living in one of the few counties in the state without a railroad, Sperryville’s Charles K. “Pete” Estes is a buyer, seller and collector of model trains.
He says he collects anything made by Lionel from the early 1900s to current trains, but he feels he needs to become more focused. “I really like the 1930s and ’40s and the reproductions of those trains made by Lionel now,” he said, indicating that if he ever weeds his collection, those are the trains he will keep.
One he is especially intrigued with, however, wasn’t even made by •Lionel. He has a 1901 train that makes its own steam by burning alcohol. “It generates its own power, like the real thing,” he says proudly. : He also repairs model trains, but 4»is friend Clyde Bryant from Falls JChurch does the more complicated jtepair work. Sometimes they buy a .■broken set just to get parts to repair •other trains. -■ He notes that some people are ready to throw a train set out if it doesn’t work. “Most Lionel stuff can jt>e fixed,” he said, “but they might not like the price.” He said that Mr. Bryant has a lot of specialized tools lor repairing trains. “There are ^vheel presses and wheel pullers,” he 'said. “Everything has to be lined up just right and pressed on. There’s more to it than meets the eye.” v- For seven years he had a shop at the main house on his Sperryville property. He has given that up and as having major renovations made in the house, to fix it up for his mother. ' He said he prefers attending train and toy shows to running a shop anyway. He goes to shows all over Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “I’ve occasionally gone to Dele ware and New Jersey, but I don’t care for (Interstate) 95,” he said. - The thing he likes best about the Shows is visiting with other dealers. “It’s like a reunion of classmates,” he said. He notes that these shows are
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