Everything is magical in miniature displays.
Here are 11 12 13 model train and miniature displays to visit this holiday season around Pittsburgh.
As always, check with the groups offering the events below to confirm date, time and cost.
Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum
This display is among the nation’s oldest, dating to 1938.
With about 4,000 square feet and 6,500 feet of track, this display features Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, in 1952.
Among the 100 steam locomotives and 250 diesel engines, look for some regional landmarks: Fallingwater, J&L Steel and Cox’s Department Store.
There are buttons with interactive displays for children of all ages.
The display is located at 5507 Lakeside Drive in Richland Township, Allegheny County (Gibsonia). It is open on select days from Nov. 9 through Jan. 12. Cost is $5 for children under 12 and $10 for adults. For more information, visit the website.
Ohio Valley Lines
This display in Ambridge in celebrating 40 years. The display features “two fantastic, highly-detailed model railroad displays.”
The show is open select days from Nov. 30 through Jan. 12. Cost is $6 for adults and $2 for children 3 to 12. For more information, visit the website.
McKeesport Model Railroad Club
The McKeesport Model Railroad Club displays 2,200 square feet of model trains to explore.
This year’s display features a tube and pipe mill based on past mills in the region.
The club is open from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in December.
Cost is $7 for people 18 and older, $5 for ages 5 to 17 and free for children under 5. The display is free for military (with ID), uniformed scouts and first responders (with ID).
Find the display at 2209 Walnut St. in McKeesport.
Beaver County Model Railroad and Historical Society
Visitors can see several locomotive power and rolling stock, plus a variety of displays, and can check out the rest of the building and library.
Admission is free, and donations are accepted. The show runs Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 through Dec. 29. Find more details here.
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Check out the Trolleys and Toy Trains exhibit at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Be sure to see the Victorian-style village and the Lego layout. For costs and dates, visit the website.
Kennywood’s Model Train Display
Carefully crafted by the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers, the model train display at Kennywood Park’s Holiday Lights features 14 scale miles, a quarter mile of real track and hundreds of scenes and locations. Read more here.
Admission is included with a Holiday Lights general admission ticket. For tickets and dates, visit Kennywood’s website.
Rochester Area Heritage Society and Model Railroad Museum
This display features five different model railroad displays in five different scales.
Display is open Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 through Dec. 29. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page or call 724-777-7697.
Miniature Railroad & Village at the Carnegie Science Center
This display dates to 1919 and features some of Western Pennsylvania’s landmarks — Mister Rogers’ house, Kaufmann’s Department Store, Fallingwater and more.
Cost to view the display comes with general admission for the science center. For more information, visit the science center website.
Phipps Conservatory Garden Railroad
Visit Phipps’ Garden Railroad display. Guests will see the miniature world of trains, buildings and landscapes.
Admission is part of the general admission for Phipps. For more information, visit the Phipps website.
Ridings Family Train Display
Visit the Ridings family train display at the McCarl Industrial & Agricultural Museum in Darlington. Weekends from the weekend after Thanksgiving through the last weekend of December. More details here.
Train Gang of Washington County
The Train Gang of Washington County is located in the Washington Crown Center Mall (1500 W Chestnut St, Washington, PA 15301), close to I-70. Open Wednesdays through Sundays. Check the group’s Facebook page for specific dates and hours. Admission is free; donations are welcome and are shared with local charities. More details here.
The Christmas Express Railroad at Robinson Town Centre
The Christmas Express Railroad is making its second appearance at Robinson Town Centre. This elaborate model railroad display includes villages, an amusement park, along with a historical display of Pittsburgh’s street cars, and other railroad details.
The display is free and open to the public. It is located to the right of TJ Maxx and Talbots.
The display opens Dec. 2, kicking off the season along with 96.1 Kiss FM’s Stuff-a-Bus event, and continues on select days through Dec. 30. Also included is a holiday raffle with proceeds donated to the Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey organization.
- Noon-3 p.m.: Dec. 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
- 5-9 p.m.: Dec. 7, 14, 22, 28, 29
- 5:30-9 p.m.: Dec. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 19, 20, 23, 27, 30
Holiday Wheels & Thrills Community Model Train Display
Indiana Area Train Collectors and the Indiana Mall present the ninth annual Indiana Holiday Wheels & Thrills Community Model Train Display. Admission is free (donations will be accepted with proceeds going to The Teddy Bear Fund Drive). The display is located in the former American Eagle store. The Indiana PA Quilter’s Club will display holiday quilts.
Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. Check the site for hours.
It's Christmas 365 