Holidays & Model Trains

The sounds and sights of model trains circling under the Christmas tree are a part of the memories of the holidays for many. The tradition of model trains on a small circle of track or more elaborate layouts are as much a part of holiday memories as visitors to the Anthracite Model Railroad Society clubhouse are invited to take a step back in time to the 1940s and early 1950s, the era depicted in the custom built, 21 by 48-foot HO scale layout. Consisting of three interconnected levels with more than 1800 feet (30 scale miles) of track, and hundreds of structures, the layout will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays December 4th and 5th through January 8th and 9th from 12:00 noon to 5:00PM, EXCEPT December 10 and 11. The layout will be closed that weekend.

Club members have spent thousands of hours recreating the routes of the Lehigh Valley and Central of New Jersey Railroads and some of the communities they served in northeast Pennsylvania. Work on the layout continues year-round with the newest addition a depiction of Pottsville. Visitors are invited to experience historic Hazleton stretching from Church Street on the west to Cedar Street on the east. Visitors will recognize historic Hazleton structures including Hazleton’s Lehigh Valley Station, the Blue Comet Diner, Kresge’s, Deisroth’s and the Markle Bank building.

Adjacent to Hazleton, the Lehigh Valley yard features storage tracks and accessory buildings. In Ashmore, visitors will see an engine terminal with a "half-circle" roundhouse and turntable, facilities for coaling and watering steam locomotives and a multi-stall diesel shop. Visitors will also see the Drifton and Jeddo breakers as well as a section of underground coal mine. The village of Eckley includes the original breaker, Company Store, Immaculate Conception and St James’ Churches, the Emerald House, workers’ houses, and mule barn.

On the lower level, visitors will see historic Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe) including detailed models of the CNJ station, Court House, Asa and Harry Packer Mansions, Lehigh Navigation Building and St Marks Church. In addition, visitors will have a chance to see models of the now destroyed Lehigh Valley Station and the Hotel Wanetah. Also featured on the lower level are the Packerton Yard, Bethlehem Steel Mill, the Lehigh River, and the Lehigh Canal with mule drawn, coal hauling barges. The tradition of opening the display to the public started soon after the club found its first home in the 1980s. Club members enjoy sharing their labors with railroad fans of all ages. Some model enthusiasts make the pilgrimage from out of state, while other visitors are close neighbors. Some are brought in by a love of trains; others come to be reminded of the Hazleton area of their childhood. Parents and grandparents enjoy sharing the excitement that all children have for model trains.

The club will host a special Thomas and Friends weekend December 4th and 5th. On that weekend the club will feature a display of Thomas and Friends locomotives and rolling stock. Area children will recognize many of their favorite engines like Thomas, Percy, Emily, and Spencer rolling along the multilevel layout.

The clubhouse is located at 1056 Hanover Court, between 22nd & 23rd Streets in Hazle Township. Admission to the display is free, and donations are appreciated. Bring your cameras and cell phones. Photographers are always welcomed. For directions to the club house please visit the AMRS website at www.amrclub.org, or like us on Facebook (Anthracite Model Railroad Society) where you will find a map to the club house, photos and up to the minute information.