Dec 1, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A local railroad club is putting the final touches on its displays in preparation for its annual holiday open house that starts today. HObo Model Railroad Club members were checking electrical connections and other equipment this week, in hope of having all the miniature trains operational for the anticipated crowds that yearly pass through their Connellsville Community Center site.

“We get the young ones and the older ones,” said club president Ed Masciarelli of the visitors. “The younger ones love watching the trains.”

As in past years, there will be plenty of them to watch weave through tunnels, over bridges and along a myriad of handcrafted displays.

“This isn’t any particular railroad,” said club member Bill Beatty as he points to engines and boxcars with a variety of logos. “It isn’t just CSX or the PL&E; It’s a little bit of everything.”

Beatty, like most of the other members, has never worked on the railroad, but is drawn to the downsized versions of the freight and passenger cars.

“I remember sitting out in my backyard waiting for my dad, who did work on the railroad, to come by and we’d get to ride in the engine or caboose up to the slag dump in Vanderbilt,” he said. “I said I’d never work on the railroad, but I love doing this.”

Beatty joined the Connellsville organization a few years ago, because of his interest, and enjoys explaining the various scenes depicted along the route.

Scottdale resident Chuck Pravlik is credited with the construction of a steel-mill scene that represents the early days in his hometown.

A slag dump to the rear of the steel-mill replica is complemented by related trucks and equipment.

From the steel mill, the scene moves through a Connellsville railyard, a newly renovated area, where the trains cross a trestle that spans the Youghiogheny River and run on into Uniontown.

Beatty said those working in a particular area of the display take some artistic liberties, as needed.

“There’s nothing that is really right or wrong,” he said.

“It just depends on what the person likes.”

The scenes move past the Hatfield power station near Masontown and then crosses into West Virginia.

Within the display area, an airplane has crashed into the side of a mountain.

“It was foggy one night and it lost its way,” said Beatty chuckling. “It’s another artistic liberty we sometimes take.”

The tracks weave through mountain areas and coal mines, lumber mills and rail stations.

Over the years, the members have encountered various electrical and track problems that have caused countless hours of reconconstruction and rewiring.

Member Danny Robertucci, the group’s chief electrician, estimates the track used for the trains would stretch across a football field, if placed in a straight line.

“I couldn’t venture a guess on how much wire is under there,” he said.

The inner workings of the trains lie beneath the display. In addition to the electrical connections and switches, train track carries the lines from one display to another.

Several years ago, the railway was computerized to allow for easier operation.

Masciarelli, meanwhile, extends an invitation to everyone to view the display that will be in operation from noon to 5 p.m. today and on Dec. 8 and 15.

The club room is located on the third floor of the community center.