DECATUR - This weekend the Cisco Center is a Mecca for model railroad buffs and collectors with nearly two dozen vendors and exhibitors participating in the center's fifth annual Train and Circus Show.

The event, sponsored by the Cisco Junction Model Railroad Group, an affiliate of the center's owner, the Cisco Area Economic Development Corp., runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Typical of attendees was Eric Schweitzer of Argenta, who said while he just "lives down the road" from Cisco he had not been to the show previously. He said this year he brought his 2-year-old grandson, Max, to watch the trains that ran on several large layouts.

A wide-eyed Max pointing at the moving trains while cradled in his grandfather's arms demonstrated the wisdom of Schweitzer's decision.

Among the vendors was 73-year-old Van McCullough, a retired Lutheran pastor from Jacksonville, who said his interest in model railroading dates back more than 50 years to when he was a young man working on the Wabash Railroad out of Bluffs.

"Diesel engines came along to replace steam locomotives, and a lot of people got laid off," McCullough said. "I went back to college and then became a pastor. There are three loves in my life: the Lord Jesus who saved me; my dear wife, Yvonne; and steam locomotives, in that order."

McCullough gets enjoyment from helping people find items to fill out their railroading layouts or collections.

"Maybe an item was on the market four or five years ago and has disappeared," McCullough said. "People come looking for that, I have it and they are overjoyed. We're all collectors. We'd all be happy if we had just one more car."

Show vendors buy from each other and sell to each other, McCullough said.

Jack Vieley of Tremont scoured the show and came away with bags of model railroad items he intends to sell online via eBay, a business he began more than two years ago.

"I started collecting when I was just a kid," Vieley said. "I bought stuff all my life. I had so much in my attic, basement, barn and even my office that my mom said I had to liquidate some of it. Some of the cars I paid $3 or $4 for years ago I put up for auction, and they sold for $400 or $500."

Since starting his online sales, Vieley said he has grossed more than $500,000.

The train show's profits - admission is $3 for ages 12 and older - go to support the Cisco railroad depot, which also is owned by the economic development corporation.

Corporation Vice President Fred Seibold said the structure is one of the few wooden train depots in Illinois remaining in its original position along the tracks. He said the show annually attracts about 1,000 people over two days, "not bad for a town of 450."

Show proceeds have been used to repair the depot, said Don Ploch, referred to by Seibold as the show's "impresario."

"When we started, I hoped to get youth involved," Ploch said. "That was a flop. Most model railroaders are over 50. I don't know what will happen down the road."

Upcoming Central Illinois train shows:

- Cross County Model Railroad Days, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 16 and noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 17, cross County Mall, Mattoon. Free admission.

- Hoopeston Jaycees' second model train show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 24, Hoopeston Civic Center on Illinois 1. Admission: $1 for ages 13 and older.

- Springfield Train Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6, Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield. Admission: $4 ages 11 and older.

- Decatur Train Fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20, Decatur Civic Center. Admission: $4 ages 13 and older.

Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973.