I waited too long to decide to purchase the yet released MTH PRR M-1a from the 2019 catalog. Checking with my local shops it seems this engine is sold out before it is even released. Not surprising given the current MTH plans.
Looking at the product locator this is not the first release from MTH of the M-1a. The locator showed two different liveries available at Valley Farm Market in Weedville, PA.
Valley Farm Market has popped up numerous times in my product searches on the MTH site. I have considered venturing out as they seem to have a good inventory butt is a pretty long drive ~ 4 hours each way. I did not want to ship given the current delays and possible damage, so I decided a trip to Weedville may be in order - I am off for the week and a road trip would be a welcome adventure. Before the pandemic we were looking at possibly an overnight trip to the general area as it is known for its elk population with dedicated wildlife viewing areas. We could make this a day trip and visit Valley Farm Market!
I emailed to verify inventory and hours of operation. I received a reply from Charlie a few days later that only one of the engines I was looking for was available. Not uncommon as unless dealers keep up with manual updates to the locator, inventory may not be 100% accurate. Lucky for me the one he did have was the one I was primarily looking for. They also had a nice selection of the 0-27 Madison Rugged Rail cars in stock.
Once the emails started Charlie answered pretty quickly. With everything set, we were up at 5 AM and on the road by 6:30 AM. We arrived in Weedville, PA around 11 AM. Depending on the source, Valley Farm Market is listed as a gas station, a farm market, a deli and of course a train store. Certainly they can be all of the above! Pulling off the road and parking, we spied the Model Trains sign.
Where else will you see a sign for model trains and Swishser Sweets in the same photo! Through the window can be seen a sea of MTH boxes. OK, this is going to be a neat place. I walk in and there are MTH boxes everywhere. Before heading out in one of the emails I asked if the engine could be tested. The M-1a was sitting unboxed and ready on the test track. I found Charlie and we struck up a conversation. We tested the engine, he showed me where the 0-27 cars were and we checked out. He then stated "you asked about seeing some elk". He checked with at least three customers while we were there to see if there were any elk out that morning and he provided excellent directions.
We were off down the road, found the viewing area but there were no elk. Following Charlie’s suggestions, we headed a bit further and found two separate groups of elk out and along the road.
It was a very enjoyable day out. It was a pleasure meeting Charlie and Valley Farm Market did not disappoint. I also ended up with the PRR Mountain. When I run that Mountain I will always think back of the grand adventure my wife and I had acquiring it!
Happy New Year!
