Model Railroad Displays To Benefit Food Pantries

"You know, the churches are supposed to work together," said Rick Christopher, a participant with the New Danville Mennonite Church's New Danville Railroad. For 2025, the church's model railroad will join forces with Al Strausner and his grandson Matthew Palmeri, along with model train enthusiast Justin Trout, to hold the seventh model railroad display to raise funds and collect food for two area food pantries. 

A love of model railroads and a spirit of cooperation is evident when the organizers of the tour discuss the upcoming event. "These guys are just coming on board," said Strausner of the New Danville group. Trout first took part in the effort in 2024. 

This year, Strausner and Palmeri, a Penn Manor High School senior, will again construct a temporary model railroad layout at West Willow United Methodist Church (UMC), 118 West Willow Road, Willow Street. Trout's model railroad is located at 1729 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, and the New Danville Railroad travels the track laid out at the church, 103 Marticville Road, Lancaster. All three locations will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20, and 27, and Sundays, Dec. 7, 14, 21, and 28. At each display, organizers will receive donations of nonperishable food items and cash. Food and funds will be divided between Solanco Neighborhood Ministries and Conestoga Community Food Bank, located at Bethel Evangelical Congregational Church. Strausner reported that in 2024, more than 360 food items were donated, and $1,500 was raised by the effort. 

New Danville Mennonite has had a permanent 8-by-31-foot model railroad layout in the church basement for more than a decade. A few of the buildings were hand-built by hobbyist Chubb Harnish. As a fellow aficionado, Strausner knew of the church's layout, and he asked the New Danville group to join in his mission. The model railroad layout is not the only attraction at the church, however. According to New Danville pastor Robert Brody, the congregation's association with trains began a dozen years ago with an effort to build the children's program using a popular toy. "It started with a small Lego train," recalled Brody, who noted that this year 30,000 pieces of Legos will be available for the community to build a train display. Christopher added that an interactive wooden train set will be on-site for young children to play with. Hot chocolate and other refreshments will also be offered when the display is open. "It's a festive time of year," noted Brody. 

Strausner's 12-by-20-foot layout focuses on his Plasticville collection, along with some circus trains and accessories provided by Ben Stiles. "It's a 4-by-6-foot complete circus with an original 1930s toy tent as the big top," explained Strausner. 

The project is a labor of love for Strausner and Palmeri, who have both been enamored of trains since they were children. By Saturday, Nov. 22, the portable layout will be installed at West Willow UMC by the duo with help from friends and family. "We can put the platform and track together in two hours," shared Strausner.

Palmeri, who is now 18, has been working on the layout with Strausner since the project began. He said that his favorite part of creating the display is working alongside his grandfather. "During this time, we both work on a project we are passionate about and have fun together," he stated, adding that both generations contribute to the planning and details of each year's layout. But organizing and setting up the trains is only half the fun. "The best part of hosting the display is seeing the generosity of the visitors to the food drive," said Palmeri. "It's truly amazing to see the care that they have for giving to those in need." Palmeri also enjoys "spreading the message of Christ's birth" at the same time the project is helping the community. He pointed out that many of the visitors come for the nostalgia, while contributing to the well-being of their neighbors. "I think that people also find it fulfilling to bless others, especially during the Christmas season," he said. 

For Trout, the train display weekends offer an opportunity to bring out his vintage holiday decorations as well as share the permanent train display housed in a 1,300-square-foot addition to his shop. Like the other participants, Trout has been involved in model railroading since he was a child, and his collection boasts Maerklin, Lionel, and American Flyer trains. "I have standard-gauge trains from the 1930s. I have post-war Lionel from the '40s, '50s, and '60s," noted Trout, adding that he has O-gauge, S-gauge, and standard-gauge trains.

Trout's stop on the tour will also include "mechanical" department store displays. "Now they're called animated," said Trout, who has pieces by David Hamburger. "I have some of his elves," shared Trout, who included Santa's helpers in his 2024 display. Trout also owns Santa Clauses made by Harold Gale, as well as two bears that were originally in Kaufmann's department store in Pittsburgh. "A lot of the older people loved the (animated window characters) because it takes them back to when they were kids," shared Trout, who added that visitors to the display often show up on more than one weekend. "We have a lot of fun, and we get to meet a lot of nice people," shared Trout. "It puts a smile on my face to see people enjoy it."

For more information about the displays, contact Strausner at william.strausner@yahoo.com or 717-917-6922.