In conjunction with the Great Falls Balloon Festival, the Great Falls Model Railroad Club will celebrate another storied mode of transportation with its fifth annual Train Fest on Saturday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, August 23, from noon to 5 p.m.

The club’s two-story building at 144 Mill Street in Auburn will be decorated with pictures and models of hot-air balloons afloat in the blue skies above each of the club’s five permanent layouts. As they enter, children will write their names on small paper hot air balloons and add them to a painted backdrop.

Younger children will enjoy playing with toy trains on the play rug and with the wooden Brio train set on the special child-height layout while their parents watch from the comfort of the nearby tables. In the G-Gauge room, children will operate Thomas the Tank Engine on the recently expanded layout while Percy the Engine runs on the trestle above.

A scavenger hunt will encourage everyone to find specific hot-air balloons near all of the model railroad layouts and in the club’s library. The traditional Bubble Blast will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Tickets may be purchased to play the Balloon Bag Toss and Round House Roulette games and to become a Guest Engineer on the extensive HO layout.Admission to the event is $3; children under age 12 will be admitted for free.