Don Foster of Morrison, IL, is a well-know model railroader, but he shines as a model builder. He won a blue ribbon at the 2011 Whiteside County Fair for the scale model replica of his wife Darlene’s family home.
On Sunday, October 21, Foster displayed a 3 ft by 6 ft model table layout of Fenton, IL, showcasing the CB & Q Railroad. It captured a moment in time from 1942 to 1945. The model train glided down memory lane, past buildings from his childhood:
- Newton Reformed Church
- Parsonage
- Cemetery
- Kingsberry School
- John Scott’s Grocery
- Jepson’s Garage and Repair
- Payne’s Grocery and Post Office
- Foster grandparents’ home
- Henrietta Foster and family home
- Strating grandparents’ home
- Fred Foster family farm house.
The exhibit was part of the 27th Annual Coon Creek Men’s Club Farm Toy Show on Sunday, October 21. Prophetstown High School gym was the venue for farm toys, constructions, and Nascar collectibles. Toy tractors of all sizes and Foster’s model train were operating for children to watch. Outside, rebuilt antique tractors and farm equipment drew the attention of adults.
Proceeds from the Farm Toy Show benefit local community projects and charities.