Train club shares info, enthusiasm with public
ZELIENOPLE — If you were looking for something to do Saturday, the Model Train Club of Zelienople had just the ticket: a train display fit for all ages.
Hundreds of people passed through the doors of Masons of Harmony Lodge 429 at 330 E. Beaver St. to see 200 feet of track and 12 locomotives travel around a multi-tiered setup, complete with kite-flying figurines, Easter eggs and hot air balloons rotating overhead.
The trains were owned and operated by local club members, and attendees were invited to gaze upon their creation and drink Choo-Choo Hot Chocolate during the event. Some children were lucky enough to catch an operator and control the train’s speed and blow the horn.
Club co-founder Matthew Beahm said the Model Train Club has been active for over a year, and has created similar displays for Christmas, Halloween and the Fourth of July.
“This takes over a day to set up, and it takes months to create something like that,” he said. “We wire it, test the tracks and design the scenes.”
The club grew rapidly, Beahm said, going from two members to 15 in its short history. All members enjoyed sharing their knowledge of trains with those in attendance.
“Members love to see the looks of faces of the young and old. They look amazed. They ask a ton of questions,” he said. “We have people with kids crying because they don’t want to leave.”
Several locomotives pulled cars with local business ties, including Marburger Dairy and Heinz Pickles. Looking closely at the intricate spring scenes, one may have missed the hand car operated by Snoopy and Woodstock of the Peanuts comic strip.
Ron Thompson said he attended as his sons are members of the Model Train Club.
“The best is seeing them excited about it,” he said. “They put in a lot of work to get this far.”
Alyssa Marker said her family attended for the younger children.
“They love trains and this is something they can enjoy,” she said.
Beahm said their club is open to those wanting to learn more about model trains. No equipment is required.
“We have a grandfather who brings his grandkids to meetings,” he said. “It’s open to anyone, all skill levels, to learn about the types of trains and how they function.”
