Driver’s Lifelong Model Building Hobby

Since the age of 10, CPC Logistics truck driver Bruce Hopkins has been fascinated by airplanes, trucks, buses – anything that can travel. He often sat outside his childhood home in Palm Beach County, Florida, to watch airplanes take off and land at Palm Beach International Airport. Bruce and a group of his friends would even bike to a gas station off the local Florida turnpike to watch trucks pass by.

This interest not only led Bruce to his truck driving career, but also inspired him to start building model airports, bus stations, railroads and more as a hobby.

“I started building railroads about 25 or 30 years ago,” said Bruce. “Then I moved on to airports and other landscapes. I’ve built my childhood airport from West Palm Beach, my local airport in Columbus, Ohio, and the Washington Mall.”

The model building process requires planning, patience and attention to detail. Bruce crafts his structures out of common plywood and balsa wood and uses photos and satellite images to ensure they are accurate representations. He and his wife even travel to annual collector tradeshows across the country to source model vehicles and historic collectables.

“Airliners International and the Atlanta Airline Collectibles Show at the Delta Flight Museum are two of our favorites,” said Bruce. “We’ve collected all sorts of memorabilia. We have many sets of wing pins, flight attendant uniforms, posters, dinnerware and even a row of seats!”

Bruce’s future career in transportation took shape during his childhood.

“I always wanted to do something with travel,” said Bruce. “My initial dream was to start my own airline. The first logical step was to get my pilot’s license, but that required a four-year degree ­– and I was not a fan of school.”

At one point, Bruce even considered driving Greyhound buses. He eventually decided to pursue a career as a full-time truck driver with T-Marzetti in Columbus, Ohio. After more than 30 years, Bruce retired and then joined CPC Logistics as a part-time driver assigned to T-Marzetti once again.

“For now, I am working to build the newest terminal at Palm Beach International,” said Bruce. “I should be finishing that up pretty soon.”