By Nancy Dunham
You can tell the kids that the trip to Quantico is just for them, but the truth is you'll enjoy it as much as they do, especially if you visit on Saturday
July 3.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Historic Quantico Depot, visitors can enjoy a free open house hosted by the
Prince William County Model Railroad Club. Of course trains — whether they're the Virginia Railway Express or Amtrak — are always a lot of fun to watch. On Saturday, though, visitors can enjoy a special treat. That's when members of the Railway Club will be on hand to tell visitors about the displays they have housed at the Depot. The intricate model trains on display and the people who constructed them will undoubtedly fire up visitors' imagination.
You can find out more about the club and the trains on display at their special
website.
Perhaps the best part of all is that the members of the club will be on hand to answer questions, explain model train building and direct visitors who want to join in the fun. When you're in
Prince William County's town of Quantico, be sure to drive around the Norman Rockwell-type town. Quantico is the only town in the U.S. that is completely surrounded by the U.S. Marine Corps facilities. For a list of restaurants, stores, and other attractions in and around Quantico, check out Virginia's
guide to Quantico.
The Historic Quantico Depot is located at 550 Railroad Street, Quantico, Va., 22134. The Prince William
County Model Railroad Club is a loose association, so take down directions because they don't have a phone at the depot:
— Take I-95 to exit 150A (Route 619 East)
— Go straight across Route 1 toward the main gate of the Quantico Marine Base.
— Stop at the visitor checkpoint where you must show identification
— Continue through the Main Gate on Fuller Road for about three miles
— Take the road as it curves sharply right and become Barnett Avenue
— After a short distance, turn left at the first traffic light onto Potomac Avenue
— If you pass a large lighted, red-lighted message board on the right, you have gone too far.
— Cross the railroad track; the depot will be on the right.