New Eagle model train show runs full throttle
Bob Mehler of Esther’s Hobby Shop in Millvale closely inpects part of a model train display at New Eagle VFD Social Hall. Mid Mon Valley Railroad Club and New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department Sunday.
Trevor Wheatley of Saltzburg, 7, looks keenly at Sunday’s model train show and sale of the Mid Mon Valley Railroad Club and New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department.
From left, Andrew Clauto, 6, Michael Clauto, 2, and father Brian Clauto, of Finleyville, watch coal cars and boxcars whiz by at a model train show and sale of the Mid Mon Valley Railroad Club and New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department Sunday.
The Mid Mon Valley Model Railroad Club and New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department hold an annual show and sale not only to raise money for both organizations, but to depict the industrial past of the area. This year’s show was Sunday.
NEW EAGLE – Susan Werner, secretary of Mid Mon Valley Model Railroad Club, said she has had a lifelong love affair with trains.
“I was hooked from the first time I saw a brass engine. What’s not to love about trains? They are sexy,” she said jokingly.
The railroad club, in cooperation with New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department, held the annual Train Show and Sale fundraiser at the New Eagle VFD Social Hall Sunday. The social hall was packed with train enthusiasts, model train displays and items to add to one’s collection.
Gary Strelick, vice president of the club, said the fundraiser is a way for the club to not just raise money for the two organizations, but it is a way for train enthusiasts to add to their collection and see displays.
The club, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, created and continually adds to a Mid Mon Valley model train display.
“Our purpose of the club to show an industrial history through a model train display,” said Werner. “Many of the young people don’t even know what a strip mine, coke oven or even a steel mill looks like. Our display helps to preserve some of our local history,” she said.
Each year the club holds a holiday open house for the public to experience history of the Mid-Mon Valley through the history of a train scene.
Lexi Vincenty, 14, and her father, Dave. of Canonsburg, said he and his daughter bond through their train hobby.
“We go into our home workshop and work on our display. It is something we love to do. My daughter loves trains and she loves spending her dad’s money on more train stuff,” he said.
Club member Jimmy Braum started as a junior member in the club, and he said what he loves about the train hobby is that no matter what your interest is, you can be involved in the hobby.
“It’s a great hobby, you can design, paint and build,” he said. “There are train computer games and Bluetooth locomotives that you can move with an app on your phone. If you love history, it is a great hobby.”
He added that many young people that are into latest technology should give trains a chance. “There is something for everyone in the train hobby,” he said.
Club President Pete Jurofcik said the club is always looking for new members and encourages anyone that is 18 and older, and is interested in model trains to join the club. The clubs also encourages train enthusiast 14 to 18 to join as a junior member. For more information about the club, visit the website at www.mmvmrrc.org.