Even their friends said it couldn't be done: A multi-year, 10-phase plan to build the world's largest outdoor model railroad that's open to the public for free.
But like the little engine that could, Randy Hackman and his father, Kenneth, have proven hard work and optimism pay off.
Now, more than three years later, the Hackmans are gearing up to open their O.c (old codgers) Railroad to the public Saturday. The railroad, west of Jefferson City, normally will be open on weekends, Memorial Day, Labor Day or by appointment for events ranging from birthday parties to weddings.
The sprawling display takes up most of their yard, winding from the front to the side and back, around a creek and over their house deck. It consists of more than 6,000 feet of track, and it takes trains more than three hours to run on just one loop within the layout. The railroad, which contains G scale track, includes 25 waterfalls, five tunnels, five lakes, four rivers and 30-plus bridges.
The railroad is modeled after all seven real narrow-gauge railroads in Colorado, including The Cumbres and Toltec, Georgetown Loop, Cripple Creek, and Durango and Silverton.
Most of the railroad is set in the time period from 1800-1957, from the trains to the buildings to the way people dressed.
Features in their backyard project represent a canyon and the Rocky Mountains, while a creek in the yard represents the Animas River. Five lakes have been created in the middle of the display dug out of a berm in the yard. The scenery is as authentic to Colorado as possible, from native flowers to evergreen trees.
Asked if they ever tire of trains, they responded in unison: "Nope."
"It kind of keeps me going," said the elder Hackman, who celebrated his 82nd birthday Thursday. He'll do more celebrating at Saturday's open house.
As an outdoor railroad, it is subject to the elements. But Randy said rain and other weather conditions actually help the railroad by giving it a weathered look.
They've estimated the current cost of the miniature railroad at $308,000, including labor and the retail price for all equipment. They've been able to do it for far less since they do the labor and get deals on train equipment, often from estate sales.
As breathtaking as the display is, it's still a diamond in the rough. Randy said the project is on phase five of 10, and the full project will feature 18,400 feet of track and carry an estimated cost of $1.2 million.
This isn't a moneymaking venture, they said. Coming to see the trains is free, and donations go toward maintenance of the railroad. They simply want to get kids off the couch and excited about model railroading.
They're planning a model railroad "swap meet" at 10 a.m. July 22 and July 23 at the O.c. Railroad. All donations will go to the American Cancer Society.
They haven't been able to do it alone. They have railroad enthusiast friends who help with the building, including four who have titles with the organization. Ross Donnelly is the manager, and Dan Eckles is the assistant manager. Charles Benkert handles operations, and Beth Eckles does accounting.
Donnelly and Eckles, especially, keep the Hackmans moving forward, so they don't get bogged down on any single part of the project. "Both of them make sure we stick to our game plan," Randy said.
The Hackmans also have corporate donors ranging from Rock Island Railroad, which donated a real train switch stand, to Perkins restaurant, which supplied a rest/eating area with picnic tables. Quaker Windows and Doors donated a door and four windows for the second story of the control tower, and Show-Me Model Railroad in Grandview donated one of many garden sections in the railroad.
During an interview on a recent morning, Randy and his father paused three times to watch real trains go by the front of their house. They chose the spot in part because of its proximity to the railroad tracks, where trains chug by a dozen or so times daily.
"With the time that I spend with my father on this project, I will have memories for life," Randy said.