Joe Kline / The BulletinMichael Lavrich, The Train Man, talks about his extensive train display on Saturday at the Downtown Bend Public Library.

Thirteen years after he first set up his model trains at the Downtown Bend Public Library, Michael Lavrich is now known simply as “The Train Man.”

Saturday, Lavrich and his extensive collection were back in action, for day two of his annual holiday show.

While Lavrich has owned most of his trains for years, he added one to the collection this year, a set given to him by a local woman. Her late husband had owned the train set, Lavrich said, and she wanted to donate it to someone who could display it publicly.

Much of Lavrich’s collection dates from the 1920s and 1930s, pieces that would be difficult and costly to repair or replace. Though the tracks run just inches from the edge of tables crowded with young spectators, he said none of his trains have ever been damaged.

“It’s amazing to me. When we first started yesterday, there were probably 10 kids at a time with their hands on the tracks, but so far, no serious incidents,” Lavrich said. “I think it’s really a compliment to the community that this all works, to how people raise their children.”

Lavrich doesn’t have the room to display his trains at home and depends on a small team of assistants who spend four days setting up his collection, then help keep them running smoothly through the weekend.

First-time volunteer Nicholas Scheresky has visited Lavrich’s holiday display for most of his life and also knew him through the Eastern Cascades Railroad Model Railroad Club.

Now 12, Nicholas has his own ever-growing collection of model trains, and aspires to be a railroad engineer.

Nicholas said he’s not sure why he finds trains engaging but can tick off the names of railroads where he’s taken a train ride — mostly tourist-style trains, like those at Mount Rainier National Park and the Mount Hood Railroad — as well as the railroads he’d someday like to ride.

“If I had money, I’d probably go to India,” Nicholas said. “But I am 12.”

Rhonda Scheresky, Nicholas’ mother, said her son’s interest in trains has been steadily growing since he was 2½.

“This is a train boy right here, I tell you what,” she said. “It’s good to have a passion.”

Gary Daniele, of Bend, said he and his son, 7-year-old Nicholas Daniele, have come to the library to see the trains every December. While Nicholas enjoys the lights, the sounds and counting off the number of cars as each train chugs by, Daniele said he’s probably even more enthusiastic than his son.

“I’m 45, and I’m a big kid,” he said.

The Train Man’s trains run for two more days: from noon until 5 p.m. today, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387, shammers@bendbulletin.com