The Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad is permanently closing after the September long weekend.

After 18 years, and trying to run a small business through COVID, the Pedersens are riding the rails to retirement.

“The decision to do so has been a hard one for us to come to, but after 18 years of having fun running the business, it is time for a new chapter in our lives,” said Poul and Ulla Pedersen on Monday, Aug. 9.

“Retirement is calling us and with all the restrictions put on us by the government due to COVID, it is very hard to be a small business owner.”

The Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad has been wowing train enthusiasts young and old. Last year it won Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice award.

“We are tremendously grateful and thankful for all the support received from TV programs such as The Amazing Race, Canada and KSPS, various newspapers and magazine articles and TripAdvisor,” said Poul. “But mostly from all our loyal customers. Some have come to visit us faithfully every year on their holidays in Osoyoos since we opened our doors in 2003. Others have found their way from all around the world, and it has been a joy to meet all of you.”

Open year-round, there are more than 4,000 square feet of displays, with multiple computer-controlled trains running simultaneously on over two kilometres of track.

“What started out as a model train hobby in Denmark in the early ’70s, led to opening up our train display in 2003 in Osoyoos, which is now a world-class attraction,” Poul noted in an earlier interview with the Western News.

The Desert Model Railroad is a family-owned and operated business, with Ulla hand-painting the thousands of tiny figurines in the display.

Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad is located at Buena Vista Industrial Park – 11611 115th St.

READ MORE: Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad makes TripAdvisory Hall of Fame

Penticton Western News