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University Museum at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania is in the holiday spirit with an exhibition featuring Christmas-themed model trains and locally created quilts through Dec. 10. Admission is free.
"It's very festive," said museum spokeswoman Leslie Kluchur-osky.
In conjunction with Indiana County's Bicentennial Holiday Season, the Indiana Area Model Train Collectors, part of the Train Collectors Association (TCA), and members of the Plumcreek Country Stitchers Quilt Guild came together to present the exhibition.
It includes six operating train layouts and a number of stationary exhibits depicting model railroading evolution from the early 1900s to the present day. Holiday trees, decorations and toys will brighten the museum, in addition to the guild's quilts gracing the walls.
All visitors will enjoy the exhibit, said organizer Tom Ott, particularly those who have or had model trains.
"Part of the fun while visiting the display will be to see if you can locate models similar to those you, your parents or grandparents owned or displayed when you were a child and for young and old alike to re-experience the fun of model railroading during the holiday season," Ott said in a press release.
He noted that children will enjoy the "all aboard" call of the Polar Express as it pulls out for another run to the North Pole, as well as the unusual pastel shades of the Pink Girl's Train traveling down the rails.
"All will enjoy with the steam, diesel and yard sounds of the modern age models while revisiting a by-gone era as the steam locomotives whistle and chug down the track mixing with the horn blasts of the early diesel engines," according to Ott.
Exhibits will include a variety of vintage and modern day displays including Pre-War Standard and "O" Gauge; Post-War "O" and "S" Gauge; Modern "G" (Garden) Scale, "O" Scale, "S" Scale; "HO" Scale, "N" Scale and "Z" Scale. Members of the Model Train Collectors will be on hand during Museum hours to power up the models.
For an added treat, musician Alan Luckey will lead visitors in train-themed songs in the museum tonight and next Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Regular museum hours are 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Kluchurosky at leslie .kluchurosky@iup.edu or 724-357-2397.
Mirror Staff Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.
If you go
What: Holiday Wheels and Thrills: A Model Train Display
Where: University Museum, Sutton Hall, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana
When: Through Dec. 10, 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Admission: Free
More info: www.IUP.edu/museum, 724-357-2397