Yankey’s Love for Locomotives

By Makayla Sordo

Photo of a model train. Stock photo.

Owasso High School holds home to many interests, from learning a new language to farming and, now,  garden railways. Gregory Yankey, an AP World History teacher, has an up and coming train club dedicated entirely to Garden Railways. 

Yankey’s passion for trains is deep rooted, dating all the way back to the 1950s with his father. The first train in the family was a Lionel, purchased at the age of 16 by his father, which will be passed down to Yankey himself.

“We would set it up around the Christmas tree during the holiday season,” he stated.

The set itself was not the only thing passed down the family tree; it was also a shared love for trains. Yankey’s son, Christopher, shares a familiar love for locomotives just as his grandfather did, and has from a very young age. 

“There is something about autism and trains that go together,” he recalled lovingly while disclosing about his son who has a disability.

As Christopher grew, so did his and his fathers interest in trains, and now⁠—in Christopher’s freshman year⁠—Yankey is starting a Garden Railway club of his own. 

Only a few years ago did Yankey discover decorative garden railways. He came across a few Youtube videos that showed off the intricate design and architecture of the tiny trains. He was then immediately drawn in after participating in Tulsa’s Garden Railways Club and seeing all the beautiful designs and setups. The tours occur around this time of the year, nearing September. As one may have noticed, there are not a lot of Railways in Owasso, and with that Yankey was on a mission. His club plans on gaining enough traction and funding to put a railway in Elm Park for the citizens of Owasso to enjoy just as he and his son do. 

The objective of the club is to not only place Garden Railways in various locations, but to create a space for people that share such a niche passion. Trains have proven to bring people closer in more ways than one. If you feel this is the club for you, the club plans to meet regularly, and Mr. Yankey would be happy to fill you in on anything you’ve missed so far in room 227 in the East building.