A childhood passion turns into a museum

ozarksroots

Welcome to Ruland Junction

By Terry Ropp A love of toy trains has resulted in the formation of a one-of-a-kind museum Wayne Ruland was 4 years old bringing their own favorites,” Wayne said. when his father Edward, an avid “We explained we couldn’t afford to buy toy train collector, gave him a the trains but would give them a good beautiful blue, black, yellow and home, and most gave us their trains.” red wooden train handmade by At 27, Wayne married the love of his one of his father’s friends. life, Susan. After marrying, the couple

Wayne treasured that train and kept it stayed in Wisconsin for a short, then Museum. The museum was not intended in excellent condition, even when in later they moved to Heber Springs, Ark. for large crowds but for more intimate inyears other children played with it resultThe second part of the story is Wayne’s teractions. After the two-story outer shell ing in minor damage. That train is now an lifelong fight against arthritis. The probwas constructed, Wayne proceeded to honored member of Wayne’s collection. lem first came to light when he was in form the interior and finish his museum

Edward grew up in New Jersey, which the fourth grade and hurt his ankle. building. The building looks like a train is where his children were raised as well. The family soon discovered young depot, platform and all. Wayne also built As a child of 8 he began making his own Wayne had juvenile arthritis. He has easy access stairs for himself and those trains by scouring for metal behind facbeen through 21 surgeries and declared who came to visit. tories, buying only wheels and motors. disabled while still young man. Wayne Next came the most important decision: His trains were distinctive, common and turned this lifelong problem into an opthe intent of the museum displays. Wayne simple. Wayne and his brother Gary were portunity to reach out to everyone, esdecided to combine four purposes in one fascinated by everything that moved. The pecially to children. package of real train memorabilia and collections grew, and the boys continually The idea for the museum came after multiple toy train layouts. The museum is pestered their father to make a collection the death of Edward and Gary when the the result of 90 years of family collecting. home in the basement, which he did. three collections were combined. Wayne The first purpose is to serve as an atThen people found out. received a small inheritance from his fatraction to all toy train hobbyists. Kids

“Firemen, the garbageman, friends and ther, which he and Susan decided to use to oldsters love to wander through the neighbors used to stop by to see the trains, to create the Ruland Junction Toy Train exhibits, viewing toy trains, including Wayne’s original blue, black, yellow and red train and a metro line

The second purpose is to instill in all children the belief if they want something, they can do it; and the more often they do, the better they get. Wayne uses his tours to instill a belief in themselves in the form of a fever that will never go away.

The third purpose is to provide a snapshot not only of the history of trains but also of our nation’s history. The four fully functional layouts include churches, houses, gazebos and public buildings, as well as trees and park benches. People are seen working, walking the streets and celebrating holidays like Christmas. Scenes represent particular eras so the total effect is like a patchwork quilt of American history. 10 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • Submitted Photos www.ozarksfn.com

Three other layouts are still being refined and will add to the quilt.

The fourth, and perhaps the most important purpose of the museum, is to serve as a venue for special needs children, especially those with autism. Wayne wants the museum to help connect those children with themselves and others while gaining self-respect through working on and contributing to the displays.

When Daniel Hipp was 17, he knew only family and church because his autism hindered interaction with others. According to Daniel, his first visit changed his life forever. He always loved trains and found his “element” in Wayne’s museum. Daniel builds structures, organizes the complex layouts, and is the museum’s trainmaster. He has been with Wayne for eight years. He understands the museum is an opportunity to be like others just by being himself. He even serves as a tour guide instead of hiding from people as he did when he first arrived.

A youth named Kaleb spent innumerable days at the museum. At first, he made crossing signs and told Wayne that Wayne was his best friend because he paid attention to him. The very next day Kaleb designed, built and painted a cardboard house that included a garage and windows and even a chimney. A third autistic young man named Adam Jenkins from Fort Smith designed and built Wayne’s website.

“We sell nothing because this museum is all about people helping people,” Wayne said.