World’s Largest Train Layout Saved From Destruction

EnterTRAINment Junction, the popular family attraction in West Chester, Ohio, known for housing the world’s largest indoor large-scale display, was scheduled to close its doors permanently on Jan. 5, 2025. The owners couldn’t find a buyer for the Cincinnati tourist attraction.

That is, until Craig Fuller came to the rescue. Fuller owns Firecrown, the publishing company that acquired Kalmbach Media’s railroad titles. It also owns other hobby-oriented media properties and a supply chain data service.

Fuller purchased the assets of EnterTRAINment Junction and plans to relocate it to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where his other companies are headquartered. Fuller estimated it would take up to 25 semi-trucks to move the assorted track, rolling stock, buildings, and control systems to the new Motion Museum. The layout had to be disassembled and transported within seven weeks.

EnterTRAINment Junction was a cherished landmark renowned for its extraordinary scale and intricate design. Spanning some 80,000 square feet, the entertainment center housed the indoor 1/24-scale train display, with the layout taking up over 25,000 square feet. It was a marvel not only for its size but also for its elaborate landscapes and highly detailed train models, each meticulously crafted to captivate children and adults alike.

Firecrown’s acquisition includes the 25,000-square-foot layout, the Thomas Museum, and the Thomas Outdoor Train, among other assets. The company is committed to preserving these models to the best of its ability while integrating them into a larger, more diverse exhibition.

Fuller plans to open the museum later in 2025 or early 2026 as a new Chattanooga tourist attraction. Fuller also operates The Space Store, an aerospace-themed retail outlet in Chattanooga.

Battery Fire Damages Massachusetts Hobby Shop

Fire department officials are blaming LiPo batteries as the cause of a fire that started in the Wreckless Hobbies shop in East Wareham, Massachusetts. Firefighters from Onset — a small coastal village that’s part of Wareham, southeast of Boston — responded to an alarm activation and 911 call reporting a fire near 3086 Cranberry Highway around 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 5, according to a fire department statement. The firefighters observed heavy smoke and began attacking the flames in two buildings. The fire went to four alarms and drew firefighters from across the region. The hobby shop and other businesses in the commercial center were heavily damaged.

An investigation by Onset Fire Rescue and State Police determined the origin of the fire was in the front left corner of the store, where batteries were stored and charged. Surveillance footage captured the ignition of the fire. “The fire damage and heavy, toxic smoke from this incident demonstrates just how serious we all have to be about battery safety,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Osswald said in a statement.

LionHeart Hobby Expands Space

LionHeart Hobby, the local hobby store in Kyle, Texas, recently expanded its space to accommodate the community that owners Danielle Adams and Rudy Cline have grown since they opened in 2020.

Just before Christmas, the owners knocked down a wall to expand into the neighboring suites of the original store. Adams, the business’ CEO, said the space was filled floor-to-ceiling with “fun nerd stuff” but could only fit a few people at once. Cline, the business’ president, said that the “LionHeart Shuffle” became the nickname among their customers for filing into the tight spaces in the store.

The store closed for 11 days to add finishing touches and move merchandise. After about a month of knocking down walls, renovating and a night of moving merchandise, LionHeart Hobby reopened with its expanded space on Nov. 15.

LionHeart Hobby now features a larger space for games, paint, model sets, hobby tools, books and more, plus a room to host events like game nights and workshops. Adams told the local newspaper that their mission at LionHeart Hobby was to “help humans do joyful things.” She said that life has a lot of time to fill, and a hobby shop is a healthy and joyful way to do so. She and Cline said the store’s growth would not be possible without the community of hobbyists and gamers who continue to show up for the store. “Without them, it’s a really cold experience just selling paper and plastic over a counter,” Cline said. “But these personal relationships that we’re making with people go beyond that.”

“The folks who’ve been with us for a long time, they walk in, and they’re just so happy for us—and for them—because it means that, hopefully, we’re here for a long time for the community,” Adams said.