Train Gang finds home at Washington Crown Center
Train Gang members Steve Mitch of Wheeling, W.Va., and Joe Jack of Washington work on a piece of track on their train display at Washington Crown Center.
The Train Gang’s display features many different tracks and familiar scenes from Washington County.
Calvin Foster and Danielle Waychoff of Washington check out the train display at Washington Crown Center. The display is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Mondays.
The Train Gang of Washington County has experienced its own little Christmas miracle.
Shortly after a story about the Train Gang’s search for a home for its holiday display appeared in the Observer-Reporter in late October, the group received a response.
And according to Joe Jack, a founding member of the Train Gang, “it was a bull’s-eye.”
Washington Crown Center management offered the Train Gang the use of a vacant storefront next to Hallmark, where members toiled long hours to build the 42-foot-by-8-foot animated train and village display in time for the busy holiday shopping season. Jack said it takes up to three weeks to set up.
The display is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The display is closed Mondays.
“I hadn’t planned on six days a week, but I can’t complain,” Jack said. “The response has been phenomenal.”
Indeed it has.
One week, during the height of the Thanksgiving holiday, the display drew more than 2,000 visitors. Most of the visitors were children, but that’s OK with Jack.
“We really were hoping for exposure. So far, so good,” Jack said.
Another bonus?
“We’ve raised a significant amount of money,” he said.
All donations will be divided among local charities that volunteer to man the display. The amount will be based on the number of hours each charity volunteers.
The display will be open until Christmas.