Nov 17, 2010

Whistle stop… at Santa’s shopBy Angel CarpenterBlueMountainEagle.com

John Day – A model train demonstration was chugging away at Santa’s Candles and Gifts last Saturday, Nov. 13.

Several children and adults stopped by for a look at two railroad displays and to hear an introduction to the hobby by Patrick Bentz of John Day and his sons Daniel and Sam.

Bentz sells N, HO and O scale trains (small to larger) through rented space at the shop owned by Bob Gibson.

One wall in the store is dedicated to model train sets and parts. The shop also offers soy candle beads, stuffed animals, crystals and sausage and cheese gift sets.

Gibson also has an interest in model trains; he’s a retired engineer. He used to run the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe trains throughout the U.S. and Canada, he said.

Bentz, who once owned a hobby shop, has been selling model trains since 1993. Gibson has run gift shops since 1993.

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