As a child growing up in Pikeville, Kentucky, young Richard Worden was fascinated by the coming and going of the C&O trains.
In 1941, at age five and with the country just emerging from the Great Depression, his parents sacrificed to purchase a Marx Copper electric train from the Montgomery Ward Christmas catalog. It was his first toy train.
Inspired by that Marx Copper, Richard began seriously collecting trains in 1978. His collection grew to include more than 30 trains as well as cars and trucks. He also began collecting themed Playmobil sets in the 1970s. Circus miniatures, dolls, and other collectibles round out the remarkable collection of several thousand toys and train related artifacts.
Over the years, Dr. Worden, a retired Methodist minister, shared the joy of his collection with family and friends. Now visit Luray Caverns’ Toy Town Junction and that joy will be multiplied many times over as young and old alike delight with child-like enthusiasm moving among the vast cluster of tables and shelves filled with toys. In addition, an infusion of pre-World War II toys are also displayed from the private collection of Luray Caverns.
Toy Town Junction is included with Luray Caverns admission.