Train Gang railroad display opens Thursday
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Train Gang of Washington County member Donald Coulson describes some of the O-gauge Lionel trains that comprise the charitable organization’s winter train display. Visitors can see the 45-foot-long exhibit, which includes several unique villages, at Washington Crown Center throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
The Train Gang of Washington County kicks off its Christmas display at Washington Crown Center on Thursday. Here, Gary Phillips, a member of the Train Gang, makes sure the display's NASA-like launch operates with no glitches.
Donald Coulson of the Train Gang of Washington County describes some of the O-gauge Lionel trains that comprise the charitable organization's winter train display. Visitors can see the 45-foot-long exhibit, which includes several unique villages, at Washington Crown Center throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
The Train Gang of Washington County kicks off its Christmas display at Washington Crown Center on Thursday. Here, Gary Phillips, a member of the Train Gang, makes sure the display’s NASA-like launch operates with no glitches.
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Steve Mitch, a member of the Train Gang of Washington County, places “snow” on one of the train displays that will be open to the public on Thursday. .
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
An incline, reminiscent of Pittsburgh’s inclines, is a part of the Train Gang of Washington County’s holiday train display at Washington Crown Center.
A drive-in movie theater is one of the displays visitors will see at the Train Gang of Washington County holiday display at Washington Crown Center.
The Train Gang of Washington County's Christmas train display kicks off on Thursday at Washington Crown Center.
A drive-in movie theater is one of the displays visitors will see at the Train Gang of Washington County holiday display at Washington Crown Center.
The Train Gang of Washington County's Christmas train display kicks off on Thursday at Washington Crown Center.
The Train Gang of Washington County's Christmas train display kicks off on Thursday at Washington Crown Center.
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
The Train Gang of Washington County’s Christmas train display kicks off on Thursday at Washington Crown Center. It includes several unique villages and towns, including this nod to Washington Health System.
The Train Gang of Washington County's Christmas train display kicks off on Thursday at Washington Crown Center.
One of Washington County’s beloved holiday traditions is returning.
The Train Gang of Washington County kicks off its Christmas run on Thursday at Washington Crown Center, which coincides with the arrival of Santa Claus and the mall’s holiday parade at 6 p.m.
The train layout will be on display through Dec. 23.
The Train Gang’s miniature display has been a holiday staple for about a decade, delighting children and adults with its 45-foot-long interactive, animated trains and delightful villages.
“It’s a novelty for kids – they grow up with soccer balls or video games. When a toddler or a youngster walks into the room, wide-eyed, and they see the lights and hear the whistles, the magic of the season starts,” said Joe Jack, one of the Train Gang’s founders who, along with a passionate group of train enthusiasts, maintains the display. “And older people say, ‘This reminds me of when I was younger.'”
The Train Gang also is a charitable organization, and it donates all of the proceeds it collects from donations throughout the holiday season to local charities.
Said Jack, “We’re a small club, all of our money goes to charity. We entertain people as good as we can, and we are a charitable effort, so we give back to our community.”
Jack said the permanent train set-up took about two months to create, and Train Gang members spent the days leading up to the kickoff meticulously fine-tuning the displays.
Steve Mitch, a Train Gang member who lives in Wheeling, W.Va., said the display is a labor of love for members.
“My grandfather got me hooked on trains when I was 8,” said Mitch, who worked at Oglebay Park and oversaw the park’s train display for at least 30 years. “Everybody here loves trains and enjoys doing this.”
The vast majority of the trains are Lionel O-gauge trains that date as far back as the 1920s.
Visitors will see steam engines, diesels, passenger trains, freight trains, and more, zipping through several towns and villages. They’ll be treated to elaborate displays that include a circus, a NASA-style rocket launch, football and baseball fields, an incline reminiscent of Pittsburgh’s iconic inclines, and downtown Washington sites including the Observer-Reporter building and WHS Washington Hospital.
And there are plenty of lights, train whistles and the click-clacking of trains along the tracks.
Children can also get a bird’s-eye view of a special, interactive display designed specifically for kids.
“Kids love it. Once they get here, they don’t want to leave,” said member Donald Coulson.
The Train Gang is looking for volunteers.
“If you like this old-fashioned thing that we do for charity around Christmas, then we can use you,” said Jack.
Train display hours vary, and will be closed on Mondays.
In addition to the Thursday kickoff, it will be open Nov. 26 and 27 from 2 to 8 p.m. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 19, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 2 to 8 p.m.