Model train enthusiast Lynn Schoening has created an elaborate model train display in his self-described "man cave" above the garage of his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
Lynn Schoening has been a fan of trains ever since he received his first train set as Christmas gift when he was eight years old.
“I saw my interest in trains start when I was a kid and got that train set to go around a Christmas tree,” he said.
Now at 61, Schoening still continues to build large-scale displays in his self-described 340-square-foot “man-cave,” above the garage of his Lincoln home.
He has been working on his current model since June 2019. It is a depiction of life in the late 1960s to early 1970s that includes references to Schoening’s childhood.
A variety of train-related items hang on the walls of Lynn Schoening’s train room in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
A model train sits on the tracks of an industrial section of Lynn Schoening’s display. Schoening’s current display is sized as an “O-Scale” display, meaning the trains are 48 times smaller than their real-life counterparts. The trains are all powered through an electronic system Schoening controls at a central console. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
Lynn Schoening looks over the city section of his model train layout. “He’s an artistic guy with a lot of talent,” said Randy Krause, long-time friend and owner of Randy’s Roundhouse, a model train store. In November of 2015, Schoening and Krause worked together to finish a friend’s model train layout that filled a building that was 65×90 feet. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
Lynn Schoening carefully crafts his display so that it looks like a late 1960s town. A big tip-off are the vehicles. “You would have 50s and 60s vehicles up to then, but you probably wouldn’t have a 97 Corvette,” he said. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
In every environment he creates, Lynn Schoening makes sure to include accurate details to make them more realistic. “If you’ve ever been to any train facility or engine house you know they’re not very clean,” Schoening said, “It’s kind of a grimy place. So you try and weather it up.” Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
Lynn Schoening points to a scene in his model train layout depicting the aftermath of a derailed train crash. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
A scene showing a Needham train crossing a bridge while a family is fishing is part of Lynn Schoening’s elaborate train display. Along with constructing different scenes, Schoening also paints different parts of his displays including trees, water and backdrops. Schoening says he learned how to paint through watching episodes of Bob Ross’s “The Joy of Painting” series, as well as through networking with other model train enthusiasts. Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
Whenever Lynn Schoening talks to people interested in getting into model trains he always tells them “Start basic. Think big.” Schoening said: “There are so many neat things you can do. So many hobbies within the hobby.” Photo by Jordan Opp/NNS
