Herbert Koch, president of the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club, controls two trains while overlooking their setup at the Lionel Railroad Club Open House in New Lenox, Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. | Karen Gioia ~ For Sun-Times Media
Scott and Ryland Prihar observe the many trains running at the Lionel Railroad Club in New Lenox, Ill. | Karen Gioia ~ For Sun-Times Media
Michelle and Oliver Horgan watch as two trains go past them at the Lionel Railroad Club Open House in New Lenox, Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. | Karen Gioia ~ For Sun-Times Media
Ryland Prihar, 5, watches as a train circles the tracks at the Lionel Railroad Club Open House in New Lenox, Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. | Karen Gioia ~ For Sun-Times Media
Linda Bialak and her grandson, Joey Osdieck, watch the trains go by as they press the buttons along the track at the Lionel Railroad Club Open House in New Lenox, Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. | Karen Gioia ~ For Sun-Times Media
The scene at the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club was pure nostalgia. The holiday lights were on, decorated trees were up and toy trains were chugging through it all. Herb Koch, a founding member of the club, said it was Christmas 1956 when he and his …
