APPLETON — Frank Briggs was known as a quiet guy, a characteristic that may contribute to the reactions of surprise and amazement by those now seeing the large scale (or perhaps small scale) production that he left behind.

His successor and guardian of his work, Dave Stone, is determined to preserve the intricate micro universe of model trains created by Briggs, and to see those efforts continue into the future.

“He built it,” said Stone. “I can’t take credit. I’m only going to keep it living.”

Stone is putting together a model train group for like-minded enthusiasts.

“I’m going to try to get a group of people together so that we can operate it, run it, and work on it, and expand it,” said Stone.

Having made his first structure, from a kit, 20 years ago, Briggs’ hobby slowly expanded within the second floor of Stone’s Auto/Truck Service, in Appleton, a building Stone purchased from Briggs 15 years ago, yet Briggs continued to have a lease for the upstairs until his recent passing.

“In 2015, this was pretty much bare,” said Stone, of the second floor.

But then, one model kit grew to several kits. Eventually, one rear room overflowed in twists and turns.

“I don’t think he really named it, or anything,” said Stone. “I think he just started one day and kept going and going and going and going.”

Neighbors may have known Briggs for years. Clients of the automotive garage may have stepped inside the first floor world of diesel and rags all along. Yet, since Briggs’ passing, those same folks lucky enough to now garner a peek are expressing amazement by the universe being built from his quiet presence.

“It’s magnificent,” said one visitor.

For six or eight months prior to Briggs’ passing, Stone, himself a train enthusiast since his 20s, learned from Briggs how to handle the 82 electrical switches that send the 1.87 scale HO trains along their tracks, past structures, people, and animals.

“I’m learning – I’m still learning,” said Stone. “Because there’s a lot to learn.”

A road worker fills a pothole. Construction crews tend to a job site. People fish in ponds. Barnyard animals move about. A yard sale occurs.

“I come up here and I find something new every time,” said Stone.

And now, Stone has added a cemetery plot in recorgnition of Briggs, with a headstone made by a friend.

In creating Midcoast HO Model Trains, Stone’s main goal is to get people in and conduct train operations, repairs, keep the place clean, and to learn.

“Obviously there’s artistry involved,” said Stone. “And craftmanship and the mechanical side of running the trains.”

It’s trains, it’s creativity, it’s electrical, It’s DCC operated.

It’s a passion.

And Stone wants to continue that passion as best he can.

Find Midcoast HO Model Trains on Facebook (a new page as of Oct. 29, 2025) and/or contact Stone at MidcoastHOModelTrains@gmail.com.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com