Edmond Business Shows Off Unique Model Train Collection To Public

There’s something to be said about boys and their toys, and for Lee Parker, his love for trains started around the age of five, and that love never left him.  

“Well sure I’ve enjoyed and loved trains since I was a child,” said Lee Parker owner of Katydids and Grasshoppers.  

He opened the store in 1997, however, after a major car accident Lee’s focus for the Edmond store shifted to his passions, trains and family.  

“It brings the family together it brings the family unit; it brings the community together. We have children come in and neighbors that visit, we grandparents and parents that come in with their children and run and enjoy the trains,” said Parker.  

And then there’s the store, where there’s more trains.  

There are all scales of model trains, from Z scale to G scale. What we’re running out in the yard is the G scale,” said Parker.  

Everyone comes out from the novice to the lifelong enthusiast, all coming together around the trains.  

“You know on a weekend we’ll have anywhere from twenty-five to fifty people and sometime in the Summer or for a big party we may have two to three hundred people,” said Parker  

They are typically open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the weather, and Lee also has plans to expand and create more fun for families  

“You know we have plans to advance and add track and maybe some playground area for the kids,” said Parker.  

For Lee seeing families come together and enjoying his passion makes it all worth the while  

“Gosh what does is not do for you? That’s what life is all about, is the family unit and the bond of getting together and working with the children,” said Parker.  

Lee’s advice for someone considering trains a new hobby.    

“It’s wholesome it’s constructive, I don’t know how many more great things I can say about watching a family come together and interact and have a good time,” said Parker.  

There are many levels and types of trains, it can get pretty expensive, but you can get started for around $100.00.