South County Profile: Arthur Trenerry

ARTHUR TRENERRY

After working at Mercy Medical Center for 34 years as a stationary engineer working on the heating and air conditioning systems, Arthur Trenerry of Happy Valley retired in 2001. Throughout his life, he had always wanted to build a train that can be rode. Trenerry started his project in 2001 before his retirement. The train has an engine and one car that is powered by electricity. The tracks have been welded by hand, and upon completion of the project there will be 2,200 feet of it that runs throughout his family's property. While growing up, Trenerry had always wanted to build a train with his grandpa. His grandpa told him, "If we are going to do this, lets go big."

"I always wanted a choo-choo train that goes around a Christmas tree," said Trenerry. "By the time the train is finished, the tree will be big enough to light up."

The finishing date for the train?

"Whenever it is finished. I am planning to continue working on it throughout the years," said Trenerry.

There is already approximately a quarter of a mile of track in front of the Trenerry home that is in the shape of an oval.

Trenerry is currently working on a steam engine to use in the future. He and his sons also built a tunnel for the train. Growing up, Trenerry was never really excited about history. When he started working on the train, Irwin Fust gave him a book about the building of the Continental Railroad. Since then, other people have given him different books which sparked his interest in it.

Trenerry's son Dan did the welding on the track. Having a family with eight children, everyone has played a part in the project. The boys have been helping with the physical part of building the train track and its surroundings. The girls have been the inspiration of getting it built.

After moving to Happy Valley in 1968, Trenerry has been involved in the community spending 12 years on the Clear Creek Community Services District Board, ten years on the Happy Valley Volunteer Fire Department and eight to ten years of being involved in the community center, including the renovation of the building.

Trenerry is a 1956 graduate of Cantwell High School in Montabella. After high school, he spent three years in the Navy aboard the USS Herbert J. Thomas DDR 883 Destroyer, which was a radar picket ship. After returning from the military, Trenerry attended Los Angeles Trade Technology, taking classes in Air Conditioning and Boilers.

Name: Arthur Trenerry.

Born where and when: Los Angeles, 1937.

Occupation: Retired Stationary Engineer.

Marital Status: Married for 50 years to Johanna.

Family: My wife Johanna and eight children: Billy, Beverly, Nancy, Sally, Matthew, Irene, Dan and Anthony, along with 13.5 grandchildren.

Pets: None at this time.

My worst job: I can't remember having a worst job.

My first job: Newspaper courier.

My favorite book: Call of the Wild.

My favorite movie: I am starting to appreciate them all. There is so much talent in the acting, directing, filming and writing in them.

My favorite recording artist: Nat King Cole.

My dream car: My grandfather said, "A car is a machine and it is supposed to work for you."

My friends like me because: My friends are my family. You would have to ask them.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: Something to eat and Johanna.

The one thing in life I've learned is: Treat people fairly.

The best advice my parents gave me: Respect people and the law.

My most embarrassing moment was: My neighbor caught me in the barn with my wife. Johanna was more embarrassed than I was.

My most irrational act: I can't think of anything.

My most valued material possession: My wife.

What I like best about the North State: The open spaces.

My hero is: My mom, dad and grandpa.

My pet peeve is: People who don't take care of their animals.

My fantasy is: To see more of this beautiful nation. There is so much to see, that it takes more than a life time to see it all.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Be myself.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: A BMX park in Anderson or Cottonwood.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: The people.