This week and next, the Pamlico Model Railroaders, through a partnership with Second Baptist Church and Historic Port of Washington, will host a model train display for families and residents, giving everyone a chance to learn about one of America’s family traditions.

The open-house displays were created to raise awareness of the model railroading subculture in the area, according to Bob Burroughs, a member of Second Baptist and Pamlico Model Railroaders. Not only is the event geared toward bringing families together to harness creativity and ingenuity, but it also is a means to get families in the church, building friendships and, hopefully, spark an interest in faith.

Though the display is not so much a hands-on activity, the church and the model-railroading group hopes to use the events as a means to get more people interested in the tradition of model railroading and answer questions anyone may have about the hobby.

Through building displays, families could use skills that are rarely taught in today’s culture, according to Burroughs; moms and dads can teach their children carpentry and how to use hand tools to dream up an idea, plan it out and create a display — houses and other decorative scenery to make the displays more visually appealing.

Activities like model railroading promote togetherness among families and friends and connect people via a mutual hobby. Friendships and partnerships are forged. Kids’ faces light up when they see the model-train displays; they ask their parents to come look at various features of the displays and all the while, the display could spark an interest that gives moms and daughters, fathers and sons, a fun, hands-on activity to do together.

The church and model-railroading group have worked hard to arrange these exhibitions and encourage the public to come and join them for family fun.

It’s a worthwhile event for a worthwhile cause: togetherness.

The model train display will be on display at Second Baptist Church on Friday, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday, from 1-4 p.m. and Sunday, from 2:30-6 p.m. The display will then be moved to Historic Port of Washington Museum from Dec. 15-19 (Dec. 15-17, from 4-6:30 p.m., Dec. 18, from 4-8 p.m., and Dec. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. Second Baptist Church is located at 2516 W. Fifth St., Washington. Historic Port of Washington Museum is located at 132 S. Market St.