Press Release - January 12, 2006

World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour sets new attendance record
33,428 attendees in Houston, Texas on January 7 & 8, 2006

The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour continues to set new records for attendance at a model train show. 33,428 people attended its recent Houston show, eclipsing the old record of 33,390 that was set in Saint Louis last year. A majority of the people who attended the show had never been to a model train show before.

The show featured over 250 booths of major model railroad manufacturers and retailers. There were many entertainment features for families to enjoy the show including:
- A 1/8 scale riding train
- The Thomas the Tank Engine playland with over 200 Thomas trains for kids to play with
- The Houston Chamber Music Trio provided musical entertainment
- Over 15 operating model railroads occupying over 50,000 sqft. showcased the hobby
- The Walt Disney Railroad Story Exhibit featuring noted Disney historian Michael Broggie
- Seminars and demonstrations educated attendees about the hobby

The show made a significant impact on raising awareness that model railroading is an exciting and vibrant hobby. The show was held at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston. It offered free admission for children under 16 to insure a new generation is exposed to the wonders of model railroading.

While future shows are anticipated to have a somewhat smaller attendance in line with the smaller population of the upcoming cities, all the same elements will be in place to insure the public is captivated by the fun of model railroading. The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour is scheduled for the following stops:

• Salt Lake City, UT - January 21 & 22, 2006 - South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, UT
• Washington, DC - February 11 & 12, 2006 - Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VA
• Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN - February 25 & 26, 2006 - Saint Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN
• 2007 Dates will be announced in the 2nd quarter of 2006.