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The Portage Area Historical Society HO Model Trains
detail life with "The
Mainline in Miniature"
Visit the Mainline in Miniature. Travel the Horseshoe
Curve, go through the Gallitzin Tunnels, and stop by the Portage Station
Museum. The picture above shows a train on the track beside the
Portage Train Depot, now home to the Portage Area Historical Society and
the Portage Station Museum.
Designed by train enthusiast Charles Edwards and assisted by numerous
volunteers, hundreds of hours have gone into the construction of the HO
model train layout. Local railroad attractions like the Horseshoe Curve,
the Gallitzin Tunnels, and the Mule Shoe Curve, are a few of the
attractions built into the 173 square foot display.
Artist Frank Serbian added detailed paintings of local sites and
mountainsides that includes rock structures with coal seams. Al Moore
created buildings depicting actual structures like the Portage Railroad
Station (now the Portage Station Museum). Ken Billings built the sturdy
tables supporting the layout and the raised walkways where visitors can
get a bird’s eye view. The entire project was generously funded by the
late Robert “Bing” James.
Trains from different time periods, including the famous K4 steam
engine, can be operated on the various tracks. As many as 40 cars can be
seen moving around the tracks on just one train with numerous trains
traveling at the same time.
Trains run on the first Saturday of each month from 12 to 5 pm.
Arrangements can be made for other dates and times by calling the museum
at 814-736-9223. So stop by, bring the kids, and enjoy the delights of
the Miniature Mainline.
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Read the newspaper article, February 3, 2008, the Altoona
Mirror (PDF Format)
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Read the newspaper article, November 8, 2007, the Portage
Dispatch (PDF Format)
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Read the newspaper article, December 2, 2007, the Tribune
Democrat (PDF Format)
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