HT Motorsports team member Scotty Williamson has been collecting HO scale model trains since age 8. Williamson is show here with just a few of the more than 200 engines and cars that are part of his collection. (HT Motorsports Photo)

Jason 'Scotty' Williamson puts in long hours as a NASCAR suspension specialist and mechanic at HT Motorsports. When away from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team shop located in Martinsville, VA, Williamson blows off steam - literally - dreaming about a bygone era.

"I'm into the older era of steam trains," said Williamson, an avid model railroader. "Unless the full-size trains were rescued and put into excursion service, I've never gotten to see any of those. My model trains are so detailed that if you look at them close up, you sort of get to see what you missed out on, a piece of history. I'm just fascinated watching them go around the track."

Williamson started collecting trains at age 8 when he received a Lionel Rio Grande train set as a Christmas present from his father. Today, he has over 200 engines and cars in his HO Scale collection.

"I don't even know what it's worth, thousands and thousands," said Williamson of the collection. "It really doesn't matter. I don't think I would ever sell it. I don't buy stuff as an investment so I can sell it later. Also, a lot of the pieces were presents, from my dad, my grandfather. You don't sell that stuff."

Williamson currently lives in an apartment with his wife, Melissa, and their cat, Gracy. Unfortunately, the tight quarters don't currently allow for a 'train room.'

"I had a pretty big train layout in my former home, but I had to take that down after I got married," said Williamson, who still gets his railroad fix reading books about trains - especially those about the Norfolk and Western Railroad. "Unfortunately, we don't have enough room in our apartment for me to have a train room right now. I've still been buying a lot of cars and putting them away. Seeing some of it out really makes me want to play with it. It's pretty hard having it put up. I'm really looking forward to getting a new layout soon."