Working on the (smaller) railroad

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Make way Union Pacific, there’s a new railroad in town. Work on the Flat Rock & Western Railroad is nearing completion … in one local man’s backyard.

Paul Nichols has designed and built a “G” scale railroad on elevated platforms behind his home in North Platte. He’s worked from sun-up to sundown seven days a week on the project.

Born and raised in Chicago, Nichols said he and his friends used to chase trains on their bicycles, and he vividly remembers when his older brother received a Lionel Train set for Christmas.

“I guess the railroad got into my blood sometime over the years,” Nichols said.

Nichols retired from his job in Wyoming and moved to North Platte a year ago. Three months ago, he decided it was time to do something with his model locomotives, rail cars and cabooses.

“They were starting to pile up because I have eBay-itis,” he joked.

In one corner of his tidy workshop in his home, railroad tracks disappear through the wall and emerge in sunlight. That way, he can bring trains off the two main lines outside in for repairs. His former workbench is now a railroad-switching yard.

Nichols has yet to meet any other “G” scale model railroaders since moving to North Platte.

“G” scale models, Nichols said, are the largest of the model railroads. The “G” comes from “garden railroading,” and are popular with model rail enthusiasts for outdoor setups.

Nichols would like to connect with other “G” scale model railroaders in the area.

“I’d like to know there are people I have common interests with,” he said, noting that the majority of modelers use “HO” scale.

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