SILVERHILL, Ala. — The train and tractor enthusiasts who came to the Wales West RV Resort in Silverhill had such a good time last weekend, they disturbed the neighbors.

“We had several antique (steam) whistles set up,” explained Ann Zadnichek, a Wales West co-owner.

Zadnichek explained that the whistles were connected to the resort’s steam locomotive, the “Lady Ann,” and visitors were allowed to let the whistles sound for a limited period of time.

“We had neighbors coming by to see what was wrong,” she chuckled.

A lot quieter but no less historic, were the 15 or so antique tractors and other equipment belonging to some of the members of the South Alabama Antique Tractor and Engine Club. The club was out to show people how farming was done back in the “old days.”

“It takes me back to a time when people farmed with these tractors,” said Ken Frost.

Frost, a resident of Perdido Beach, worked at the Monsanto Research Farm “between Robertsdale and Loxley” most of his adult life. Now retired, the 76-year-old likes to restore old tractors. This, he says, is his third tractor.

“I like the simplicity of them,” Frost said. “Today, they (tractors) are so very involved.”

While the tractors may be old, finding them takes up-to-the-minute research skills.

“You have to find them on the Internet,” Frost said. “They may cost more than they did 50 years ago, but they are there.”

Lloyd Dillon of Foley was a long-distance trucker, but for about 30 years he worked on the Foley Dairy Farm, using a big John Deere tractor. Today, he has a Farmall F-14 that he likes to show off. Working with the tractor brings him closer to a time he loved in his life.

“I loved that farm,” Dillon said. “This allows me to be around great people who also love the old machines.”

Dallas Smith III of Summerdale had some different equipment on display. Instead of a big tractor, he had several pieces of “Gravely” gear, including a “saddle bar mower,” and a rototiller.

He has some other gear as well, a legacy of the time he owned a small farm in New Jersey.

“I think I have the only snowplow in south Alabama,” he said with a smile.

Smith now uses his gear on his yard, and is glad to show it off to members of the club and to interested people.

“I just found a water pump (that connects to his Gravely gear for power) that I have to restore.”

While the tractors are fun, the rail lines at Wales West are permanent features. Zadnichek announced the formation of the “Wales West Railway Club,” a club devoted to the love of model trains. Currently, the club has 7.5 inch, 2-foot and “G” gauge track. For more information, go to the Wales West Web site, waleswest.com or call 978-0615.