Gardner the Train Doctor, chugging along for nearly 70 years

Posted at: 11/19/2009 12:30 PM | Updated at: 11/19/2009 3:59 PM
By: Pat McGonigle | WHEC.com

Alton - Don Roder found his fountain of youth while playing with a model train set as a small boy in the 1930's.

"I enjoy it. I mean, when you're a kid you play with trains," Roder says. "Well, I never grew up. I grew old, I never grew up."

Despite his white beard, glasses and bald head, Roder does have the enthusiasm of a child when it comes to talking about model trains and his company Gardner the Train Doctor.

Roder's been working at the company since 1940 and bought it from the original owners in 1963.

Gardner the Train Doctor is a subsidiary of GarGraves Trackage Corporation. The company was founded by Eldyn Graves and Earle Gardner, GarGraves is the combination of their two last names.

Now, it's a true family operation as sons Mike and Tom Roder help run the business.

"I'm still learning on the job," Roder jokes.

Gardner the Train Doctor sells Lionel Trains and parts in addition to the tracks they manufacture at their location.

America has had a long love affair with trains and the Roder family says even with an onslaught of new electronic toys in recent years, their business has never dropped off.

"People always love trains," Mike Roder said.

Mike Roder also says their company is able to ride out lean economic times because building model trains has always been such a family-focused activity.

"It gives you something to do at home as opposed to going out and traveling and spending thousands of dollars," Mike Roder said. "This is something to keep them preoccupied and something they can do in the home."

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.

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