Behind The Scenes and Under The Track

Smoky Mountain Central Railroad at Clay County Fair

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Smoky Mountain Central Railroad, a mainstay of the Clay County Fair. The KICD Depot opened in 1999 on the eastern side of the fairgrounds, captivating kids of all ages with its rolling train systems, 4,300 feet of track and detailed HO scenes that replicate the four seasons and showcase the region.

Each piece of the Smoky Mountain Central Railroad is a realization of one man’s love for model trains and the fulfillment of a vision that originally began in the 1940s and has grown into a stunning railroad display—a dream that’s been passed from Ben Sanders to Jim Bonnstetter to Myles Rohan and now Tim Lynn.

A Vision

The original railroad was an afterthought used to fill space at one of the first KICD booths at the Clay County Fair. Moving to Iowa from down south, new KICD owner Ben Sanders opened the first Smoky Mountain Central Railroad in the corner of its booth in what was originally an old chicken house. He put down a sheet of plywood and showcased a small train display.

“They said the building was drafty so when wind would come through, it would blow the train off the track,” said Tim Lynn of Spirit Lake and who currently oversees the train operations. “Ben loved his trains and loved building new scenes and making people smile with the trains. Way back, he even had a train project in Okoboji at where the Outrigger is located. Trainarama was a panoramic view of the United States that showcased a 4,200-foot HO model railroad.”

When the opportunity arose for Sanders to build a building specifically designed for trains at the Clay County Fair, construction began in 1998 and the Depot opened in 1999. The Sanders family and the Iowa Great Lakes Broadcasting Company, Inc. donated the building and train system back to the fair at its grand opening.

“Ben did a lot here even as he got older, which he then passed that vision onto Jim, and then one day I stopped in, and suddenly I began volunteering and now oversee the Depot with the help of 14 other guys of different ages,” Tim explained.

The Depot

The Depot displays a 100-foot-by-36-foot railroad that features 1,700 engines and over 7,000 train cars, conveying names of famous rail companies like Burlington Northern, Milwaukee, Sante Fe, Soo Line, Southern Pacific and others. Over 23 HO train systems run the 4,300-foot track that includes thousands of rolling stock.

“HO refers to the scale size of the trains, with HO meaning 1/87th scale,” Tim shared. “When school kids come by, we show them the different sizes we have at the Depot, including O scale, which is bigger, and N scale, which is smaller.”

Hands Behind the Track

Over the past several years, Tim has gained a crew of 14 volunteers who come to the Depot from January through September to straighten track, build new scenery and bridges, fix trains and whatever is needed to improve the Smoky Mountain Central Railroad.

“We have high schoolers to retired carpenters, electricians, telephone employees and mechanics who volunteer at the Depot,” Tim said. “We all come from different backgrounds who come together to improve the railroad every year. Some like to work on just one thing, while others are a jack-of-all-trades.”

Carson Mears of Spirit Lake turned 14 in August and has enjoyed learning the different jobs at the Depot from the older volunteers. “I really like being around everyone! I’ve learned a lot,” he said.

Tim added with a laugh, “Carson becomes our go-fer! He’s the youngest and fastest one around.”

Much of the work for the railroad takes place in the basement, which lies beneath the entire railroad layout. When in use, access to the railroad system is attained from below by climbing ladders located in the basement. These ladders bring a person up through hidden holes around the layout. Sensors built into the wiring allows volunteers to oversee the rail system from the control panel, allowing them to locate each and every engine in use.

Behind the scenes work is done by men like Doug Clarke of Spirit Lake who over the winter built new trestle bridges designed in part by 3-D printing done by Kent Means.

“We reworked the track and bridges to make it better,” Doug shared. “I love the trains and the camaraderie experienced with the other guys.”

The first three years Doug helped at the railroad, he fixed the track and changed ties. “We would fix a kink in the track—pulled nails up and found the joint close to where kink was. Lifted track, fixed it and straightened it out and put it back down,” he said.

Don Schoorman of Spencer has really enjoyed painting people and animals, as well as building new buildings. He recently finished making several new cattle barns.

“I started coming in 1955 to the trains, as my dad worked at KICD and I’d tag along with him during the fair,” he said. “I retired in 2018 and came back to the area and have been back to helping at the railroad ever since. We really enjoy working together.”

Gene Sorbo has done a bit of everything, especially looking for ways that spice up the track.

“I’ve put in several new turnouts, as well as fixed the elevator and helped glue down ballast on the sides of the track,” Gene explained. “We are always looking for ways to change out things that make the track better.”

While Gene has been gluing the ballast, Steve Thorne has been laying it down along the various layers of track. “It looks so much better and the track much richer,” he added. “Working on it since March, you have to look back and see how much progress you’ve made.”

Adding to Displays

When little hands clamor up to windows to peer into the Smoky Mountain Central Railroad in September, they are going to observe new displays and updated scenery. Dale Hanna of Milford has worked hard to complete his third urban renewal in three years, making new streets (changing tar paper streets to wooden), moved track and completely remade landscaping.

In one of the displays, he added a bus barn and school, completely rebuilt the scene and added new, little improvements. He’s also built new trees out of floral wire, as well as created purple bushes.

“We really have a lot of fun! Everyone has a different expertise and helps one another to make the railroad better,” Dale shared. “There’s so many little things taking place behind the scenes, including lots of animated stuff.”

There is a plane that flies, as well as a dump truck that goes up and down. Smoke comes out of the smokestack at the steel mill site and there’s a flying hot air balloon. There’s a mini-golf site, as well as a drive-in movie theater. Visitors can view a wedding, oil field, a race track, a circus, and a miniature version of the Clay County Fair, as well as a scene of downtown Milford. The value of the entire set-up, totals over $650,000.

“We really enjoy making the little items that catches a person’s eye,” Tim said.

Most of all, the group enjoys working on projects together to bring smiles to the thousands of visitors that come through every year during the fair.

“This is why we do it! We love making bigger trains and improving the scenes but the best part is coming to the fair, and watching all the people’s excitement,” Doug exclaimed. “We get so many good comments.”

A dream started by one man in the 1940’s has brought joy to thousands every year since, with Sanders fully funding the attraction until his passing in 2002. Today, the Smoky Mountain Central Railroad is funded completely through donations.

“As much as people come to the fair to see what is new, the tradition and nostalgia that comes with the train display is just as important as the new things that are presented each year,” said CEO Jason Brockshus. “It is a wonderful balancing act between traditional and new that makes the Clay County Fair such a unique place and event that draws over 300,000 folks to Spencer each September. The dedication and commitment to the display that these individuals show is truly amazing and their passion and love for the Fair is what makes the Clay County Fair truly ‘The World’s Greatest County Fair!’”

If you would like more information about the Smoky Mountain Central Railroad or interested in donating to the project or would like a tour, contact the Clay County Fair office at (712) 580-3000.