King Charles Rail Line is a family affair in Rehoboth Beach
A lifelong love for model train sets and a desire to do something fun with multiple generations of the family has spurred the creation of the King Charles Rail Line in Rehoboth Beach.
Located on the northeast corner of King Charles Avenue and Stockley Street, the yard- and porch-encompassing display is at the home of Rupert and Martha Smith. They said they’ve been installing the train sets in their yard for years during the holiday season – there are two on a porch facing Stockley and at least three more in the yard. New this year is the child-sized train engine.
Rupert said he was inspired by an engine he saw during a trip to Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. They had a real nice setup for a display and he thought he could replicate it, he said.
“I wasn’t going to spend the $50,000 I think that train cost, but I did a lot of research into what it looked like,” said Rupert.
Instead of purchasing the engine, Rupert said he and his grandkids designed, built and painted the engine in an old chicken farm he owns near Millville. It turned out pretty nice, said Rupert.
“A lot of the supplies were old pieces of scrap,” added Martha.
The trains in the yard are either cheap and battery-powered or all-weather, said Rupert. The youngest grandkids get the battery-powered ones until they’re old enough to run the all-weather ones, he said, smiling.
For years, Rupert said he was the ringleader for getting the family to participate, but next year he’s going to turn it over to his kids.
“I don’t move as well as I used to,” he said. “Martha won’t let me get up on the roof anymore for decorations either.”
Looking over after hearing that and shaking her head, Martha laughed and said, “I can get down lower than he can now.”
The Smiths said the main reason they install the trains is for the entertainment of their four grandchildren – two boys and two girls between the ages of 7 and 10.
“It’s a family affair and all the kids participate,” said Rupert. “It’s a lot of fun getting the kids involved.”
Martha said when the trains fall off their track or something else happens to them, the kids are out there to fix them.
“It’s just great,” she said. “They’re really vested in it.”
