Odd Fellows Annual Christmas Train Display getting on track
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: November 28, 2012
There’s a special holiday train that will be pulling into Santa Paula - in fact, hundreds of trains - but they won’t be stopping at the Depot.
Rather the trains will pull in at the historic Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #314 on East Main Street, where Wes Easley and Carlos Juarez are getting the elaborate holiday train display up with several helpers.
Juarez promises that the 5th Annual Odd Fellows Christmas Train Display will be even more spectacular than in years past, as “We are putting together a radically different track design which will keep your eyes occupied.”
The display is a fantasyland of bridges and tunnels that allow visitors to view the hundreds of engines and cars - not to count the villages, people and other attractions along the numerous routes - all in miniature. Easley loves Southern Pacific HO and G Scale models, and he has even constructed a 1/29th scaled handcrafted Depot model, a wonder of replication.
Each year Chief Engineer Easley and Juarez stage the display with fellow Odd Fellows to benefit the facility. And, noted Juarez, it’s a great cause: “Money raised will continue to maintain the Odd Fellows Lodge and Clock Tower as well as also help in the future kitchen renovation and eventual public availability.”
This year the display will be on the second floor of the iconic Odd Fellows Lodge/Clock Tower, located at 866 E. Main Street. The trains will begin running Saturday, December 1.
Hours are Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.; two shifts on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and on Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The last day for viewing will be Sunday, December 30. There is an elevator at the rear of the Lodge accessible from South Alley.
Donations requested are children 6 - 13 years old, $2 each, and $3 each for everyone 14 and older. Children 5 and under are free. Special group visits can be arranged by calling Easley at 805-766-4400.
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