Farmer builds intricate model train, miniature town in basement

Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by John Carter, LeAnne Gendreau, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · July 1, 2026 · 2 min read

(Aging Untold) — Harry Jenkins lives on a sprawling 199-acre cattle farm in Vale, North Carolina, about an hour north of Charlotte. When he isn’t tending to his cattle, he’s tending to the train station — one inside his home. Jenkins negotiated the space with his wife when they built the house in...

Why this matters in The Midland

While Harry Jenkins' intricate model train and miniature town may be located in North Carolina, the story resonates with Midland's own community of hobbyists and enthusiasts. The Permian Basin is home to a number of model train clubs and organizations, where members gather to share their passion for the hobby and showcase their creations. Jenkins' story highlights the importance of preserving traditional hobbies and passing them down to future generations. In Midland, local businesses and community centers often host events and workshops to introduce children to model trains and other hands-on activities, helping to keep the hobby alive. As Jenkins notes, model trains have become a niche interest, but in Midland, there are still many who appreciate the craftsmanship and detail that goes into creating these miniature worlds. The story of Jenkins' train room serves as a reminder to support local hobbyists and enthusiasts, and to appreciate the unique creations that can be found in our own community.

About this story

Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 1, 2026 · Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · Reading time: 2 min

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This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.

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This story was reported by John Carter, LeAnne Gendreau at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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About The Midland

The Midland is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover Midland TX news, Midland Independent School District (MISD), Midland High School, Midland-Odessa (Permian Basin). This publication is self-funded by its founders. Read our ownership disclosures at themidland.org/ownership.

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Summary created by	The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	John Carter, LeAnne Gendreau, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 1, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

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