Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers Holiday Display

Presentations like this and the one at Altoona's Lakemont Park are great for the hobby.

There are a number of park rides operating - the Paratrooper, the Kangaroo, the Turtle, the train, the Auto Race, the carousel, the Ghostwood Estate and a bunch of the kiddieland rides.  In addition, there is a petting zoo somewhere near the Log Jammer (haven't made it over there yet to check it out).  And last, but not least, the Potato Patch Fries stand is open!   Plus lots of other food, snacks and hot beverages (hot chocolate and hot apple cider) all over the place.

And yes, people have noticed the Mon Valley locos and other steel-related cars and engines.  Many of them commenting that fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or cousins worked in this mill or that mill.  They are probably the second most commented-on trains on the layout after the Polar Express.

We have received tons of complements, and are having a lot of fun.

Andy

Couldn't agree more!

We are getting a lot of questions about where to buy trains, where to get old trains fixed and how to get started in O gauge, so these kinds of displays definitely do help the hobby.

Any pictures of the Lakemont Park display floating around out there?

Andy

Terrific job by all.  You're great ambassadors for the hobby.  And, man, does #1225 smoke!

Thanks,

Ron

Check out the brief video of the Pittsburgh Hi-Railers modular layout during the LCCA's 42nd Annual convention held in Norfolk VA this past summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7mu37IX1mQ&sns=em

Al K, 

Andy

I have a question about the roller coaster. How big is it? Does it run from a power supply? Where are they available? Please reply to my email in my profile.

Thanks

Jim Troutman 

E-mail sent.

And in case anyone else wants to know, the roller coasters and Turtle ride are products of Coaster Dynamix:

          http://www.coasterdynamix.com/

Andy

Thanks for the posts Andy. Truly magnificant.

The warm nights are done and the rain has stopped. If you are comeing  Dress warm.

Here are some shots from last night:

The following two buildings have custom interiors.

In this picture, if you look close, you can see a clever use for some leftover bits that many modellers just discard.

Every once in a while, I forget to change the settings on my camera and end up getting something I did not intend, but still interesting in its own right.

Andy

And some shots from Sunday night (Dec. 23):

Hmmm.... there looks like there is something in the water below the bridge...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Andy

After a couple of cancellations due to a snow storm, we got to run some trains tonight.  Only two more nights to go (assuming no more cancellations due to weather).

The park is a magical place with snow on the ground!

Little did the drive-in patrons suspect...

Andy

Andy,

   Simply fantastic sir, what does it cost just to see your incredible trains, and how long will you be there at kennywood.  Will you be there after the new year or just till the 30th.  $14.99! to get in the gate?

PCRR/Dave

Great Job!  The layout looks great!

Andy,

OUTSTANDING!!!! Thanks for posting all of the photos and for getting the message out there that this hobby is so much fun.

Kennywood Holiday Lights ends on Sunday, Dec. 30.  Only two nights left (weather permitting).  Giant Eagle supermarkets have discount tickets ($2 off).  Admission includes all the rides that are open (paratrooper, kangaroo, turtle, auto race, train, ghostwood estate, carousel, a bunch of kiddieland rides) and the petting zoo.

Andy

Official word is that, despite some more snow last night, Kennywood will be open tonight (Dec. 29) for Holiday Lights (and trains, of course ).

Andy

WOW!!!  What a GREAT show!! Man, I'm thinkin' I'm homesick! Maybe have to come up next year...   All involved did a fantastic job!! Have a great New Year!!

Even with all snow and cold the crowd was really good this eve. One more night to go and we have 3 weeks till our next set up at the Monroeville Greenberg Show.

The folks at Kennywood are tops at snow removal.

Some shots from tonight:

The scale Polar Express took a long freight to the North Pole (Santa needs major re-stocking after Christmas...)

Meanwhile, her little sister took up passenger duty for the evening...

Andy

Just a reminder for our Pittsburgh area friends - tonight (December 30, 2012) is the final night for our display in the Pakside Cafe building at Kennywood Park.

Also, we now have a Facebook page for those who wish to follow us there:

       https://www.facebook.com/Pitts...IndependentHiRailers

Andy

Andy,

   Great stuff, next year I will set aside a couple full nights of viewing your great layout with our Christmas company, thanks for the fantastic effort and the great pictures!

PCRR/Dave

Good job guys! Thanks for posting all the great pictures.

Happy New Year,

Kennywood Holiday Lights 2012 is now officially just a memory.  The layout is about half down now, with the rest to be packed up after the New Year holiday.

Here is my final set of pictures:

Andy