The Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club's 10th Annual Christmas Open House

The Cumberland Valley (Pennsylvania) Model Railroad Club will hold their 10th annual Christmas Open House from noon to 5:00 p.m. on the following dates: December 10th, December 17th, December 30th, January 7th, and January 14th.

The train club is located at 440 Nelson Street in Chambersburg, PA. Look for the flashing railroad crossing signal in front of the building. This signal, formerly located on the old Western Maryland line at West Catherine Street, was donated to the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club when the line was removed.

In April 2006, the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club celebrated their 10th anniversary. The Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club was born when a small group of model train enthusiasts recognized the need for a train club in the Chambersburg area. In September of 2001, the club purchased their current home, a renovated warehouse, on Nelson Street and have been busy expanding ever since!

The talented members of the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club have built remarkable train layouts that feature G-scale trains, an O-scale roundhouse and turntable with both pre-war and post-war equipment on display. The standard gauge train layout alone has 176 feet. Running nearby is 670 feet, or six scale miles, of O-gauge track. You will see longer trains running here than you ever saw under the Christmas tree, and new scenery is appearing constantly.

The HO-scale layout now has approximately 40 scale miles of track,a nd features monster trucks, a skateboard park with a miniature wooden train ride, and a horse racetrack. A carnival with working rides and over 1,000 patrons is displayed, as are winter scenes including a ski slope. You can visit Jurassic Park, look for Harry Potter, watch a working waterfall, wait for a streetcar, or just try to count the more than 3,700 pieces of rolling stock. Local businesses can see their own sponsor cars running, as they show their support for the train club. Displayed on the one wall is almost 3,000 individual train cars that have been collected over the years by one of the club members.

In N-scale, look for the store that looks like a shark, see the seashore, pause at the funeral, and meet the trolley. Of special interest to young children is Thomas the Tank Engine and a Lego layout.

First prize in the train club's raffle this year is a complete N-scale layout. Second prize is a Lionel train set, and third prize is a HO-scale set. Winners for these and several other prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the January 14th open house.

Admission and parking are free and the building is handicap accessible. The club always welcomes individuals and groups who show an interest in viewing the layouts by offering private showings. Several area groups have visited the club. For additional information, you can call the train club at 717-263-6447or visit them online at www.cvmrrc.com.