Planes, Trains & Automobiles
By Todd Wood
He spends most of his time in a small world that has no lines, times or crimes. It is a world most of us have seen growing up. There are carnivals, baseball games, small towns (much like Pooler), planes, trains, automobiles, boats and well known scenes.
To catch a break from the average hard working lifestyle of Mr. Jekyl, Richard Hyde retreats to the second story of his home in Pooler after an honest days work at Gulfstream.
Though the world he has created is several times smaller than that of every day scenes in our lives, Hyde takes pride and thoroughly enjoys creating a more peaceful world.
Through his kitchen, and up the stairs to the second story of his home reveals a child’s dream. The impressive outlay of small towns and a fully functional toy train collection fills over 960 square feet of his home. Complete with over 700 feet of track, 60 engines and a couple hundred cars, Hyde acknowledges that the hobby, which started 12 years ago, might be excessive.
“When I was a little boy we were poor, so I never had a toy train,” says Hyde. “I had two pet rocks,” he joked. “My wife bought me my first train over 12 years ago, and ever since it has got out of control.”
Hyde’s skills as a carpenter and wood-worker have come-in handy during the project. Many of the buildings located within the miniature cities of Richard Hyde’s interpretation of a perfect world were designed and built in his backyard woodshop. His wife, Beverly, a devout arts and crafts hobbyist, painted many of the buildings and background scenes throughout the collection which has helped the scenes become more life-like.
There are many stories throughout the many scenes. From Harleys and their riders parked under Mount Rushmore to the three ring circus, Hyde’s creation cannot all be absorbed in just one visit. He even has a six-foot long engine that actually runs off coal that can pull the weight of six grown adults.
“The trains are my world,” says Hyde. “They are a work of art in my expression about the way I think the world ought to be.”
Many friends and family have come to enjoy exploring his make believe world. And, every year around Christmas, the Hyde’s welcome the second story of their home for visitors to take in the impressive collection.
Back downstairs, another collection catches the eye. Beverly’s nutcracker collection includes a couple hundred crackers, ranging in heights of three inches to six feet.
Only feet away is Richard’s collection of bud vases which were used in cars during the 1920s. Today originals are extremely hard to find, but Hyde has managed to collect a large variety of the beautifully hand blown treasures.
Venturing farther, into the den, Richard’s passion for car memorabilia becomes more apparent. Old glass globes, which used to sit atop gas pumps around the nation in the 1950s and 60s, add to the nostalgia of the den mixed with various car memorabilia. In a glass front cabinet, several shelves of old hood ornaments still symbolize the cars that used to wear the ornaments as badges of honor.
One might say he is a collector, but Hyde prefers the term “gatherer” rather to explain what it is he does.
“Every time I’m out looking around, I’m looking to see if there is something special out there…that’s a gatherer,” explained Hyde. “What might be special to me, might be junk to someone else, and vice versa, so that’s why a like to call myself a gatherer.”
Leaving the den, headed to Richard’s backyard workshop, more of his gatherings are revealed. Upon entering his shop it is obvious he is a true craftsman, and one might say it reveals the inner soul of Richard Hyde’s world.
Antique wood planes hang in one corner, while old headlights from vintage cars, like The Tucker, hang in anticipation for their turn to become a part of his next creation.
His wood workings are impressive. You name it, and Hyde can make it. Among his favorites to make, “Anything that makes my wife happy,” says Hyde. From jewelry boxes to moldings and cabinets, Hyde’s creations seem to be limitless.
Toward the back of his shop, sit more of his gatherings. A black 1976 Corvette Stingray, bought brand new by Hyde in ‘76, is one of four collectors cars owned by Richard. The others include a rare 1937 Auburn Boattail Speedster he plans to restore; a red 1954 XK120 Jaguar and a 1962 Alfa Spider. Over the years, he has bought, restored and sold many cars from his garage in Pooler.
Many would find Hyde’s gatherings to be overwhelming. With a fulltime job at Gulfstream and everyday homeowner’s chores, we wonder how he balances his time between gathering, creating and keeping up with all his projects.
“That’s the great thing about my many different hobbies. I can work on the train set for a couple of weeks, put that down and then go work out in the shop,” says Hyde. “I never get bored because I have many different things to keep me busy. And let’s not forget the honey-do list.”
For 20 years, Richard and his wife, Beverly have made Pooler their home. Though he and his wife are passionate about their gatherings, art and creations, Richard says the most valuable of all is his family.
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