Dr Karl Chircop has always cultivated a keen interest in model engineering, and halfway through his Ph.D. he realised that he needed something that would make him ease the stress related to teaching and academia. Model train restoration seemed to be the ideal activity which could achieve this goal. He started a modest collection, and joined a club of model engineers where he learned many technical skills. Soon his collection started running into the hundreds and he started participating in expos. A hobby meant as an antidote to work-related overthinking soon became a means of powerful bonding and communication with his son and many friends.
