The Waldorf Senior Center celebrated a great part of Americana Wednesday, May 11. The railroad, which initially traversed the entire North American continent in 1869 was the subject of the light-hearted celebration.
Seniors and center staff collaborated to reenact the Golden Spike ceremony, which took place in Utah Territory. The players read the speeches made at the event by railroad and government officials 142 years ago, offered cheers, “drove” in the spikes and raised champagne bottles to celebrate the railroad’s continental connection.
The highlight of the celebration was the elaborate train display laid out by the Painter family of Indian Head.
“My father started this train layout in the early 1960s,” said John Painter. “It contains bits and pieces of our history, and is a constantly evolving train layout.”
Painter explained that the family takes the display to schools and community centers all year long with their busiest time being Christmas season. Their reward is seeing the excited looks on people’s faces when their eyes behold the amazing railroad labyrinth.
“You can’t put a price on this, “Painter said.
