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Staying on Track
Annual model railroad open house draws crowds
By Sean Barron
AUSTINTOWN
For many people, a longtime open house is a yearly treat, and for Craig Ziobert, the event is that and more.
“I’ve always liked trains since I was a kid. It’s nice to have trains at your fingertips, and this brings real life to your fingers,” Ziobert said Sunday, referring to being part of the Youngstown Model Railroad Association’s annual open house, which kicked off Nov. 7.
The gathering resumes from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 at the YMRA building, 751 N. Four Mile Run Road. Cost is $4 per person, cash only. Children age 11 and under are admitted for free.
A steady flow of people of all ages filled the association’s building Sunday to enjoy two floors of vintage, classic and model trains and
layouts. In addition to offering plenty of family-friendly entertainment, the open houses have an educational aspect, organizers have said.
The YMRA began in April 1957 and had its first open house Dec. 2-3, 1961.
Ziobert, who joined the organization in 2008, said he has traveled considerable distances to photograph trains – specifically, about a 450-mile stretch from roughly Toledo to Harrisburg, Pa. On Sunday, however, his only travels were around the large, meandering layout board to ensure the model trains were running smoothly.
One person who did cover a sizable stretch was David Rossbach, a friend of Ziobert’s who came from his Altoona, Pa., home.
‘It’s my first time here,” Rossbach said, referring to his attendance at the open house. “I love it; I’m just taking it all in.”
Rossbach, who works in the envelope-printing industry and is a lifelong lover of trains, was among those drawn to a replica of downtown Youngstown as it looked in the 1950s and ’60s. Included inside a set of railroad tracks was a view of Market Street that featured models of the former McCrory’s department store, the Dollar Bank and Trust and the Mahoning Bank buildings, the Tod Hotel, the Greyhound bus station and the former Wallschlager Motors.
The nostalgia didn’t stop there, however. Some attendees noticed a set of train cars on which the Isaly’s logo was emblazoned, while others took in a replica of the former Republic Steel complex and blast furnaces. Isaly’s was a popular Youngstown-based dairy.
Another draw for fans of classic trains was a replica of an amusement park complete with a roller coaster and several other rides. Several were reminiscent of the popular Idora Park.
“We finally got the coaster going in the amusement park,” said Dean DeMain, vice president of the YMRA’s HO Division.
DeMain noted that this year’s open house may look the same as others to casual observers, but several significant changes have taken place. Those include various upgrades, such as replacing part of the track that was 26 years old, redoing some wiring and switches and adding a new control tower.
In addition, efforts have been made to showcase certain animations, reconfigure two new buildings and redo some parts of the industrial park replica. A model building to simulate one used to strip ingots is about half finished; in addition, the entire steel-mill complex should be done in about two years, he explained.
DeMain said that those who attend the YMRA’s next open house early next month can look forward to a variety of Christmas-themed additions.