Roadside America

I would hate to see it shut down. Visited it a couple times, it is a terrific layout. If you are anywhere near it, certainly worth a visit.

   Bill

That would be a shame if it closed.  Hopefully they will find a seller to keep it running for another generation.  It's a great place .   

If I remember correctly they had a fundraiser recently where the public donated a very large sum of money to put a new roof on the place because the old one was in disrepair.  It would be a shame if everybody's generously was wasted...

I have only visited Roadside America twice.  I don't live far, about and hour or so from Shartlesville.  You'd think I would endeavor to see it more often.  I recall as a kid wanting to visit, but that didn't happen until I was in my early twenties.  

It is a unique display.  I love when Kate Smith sings God Bless America at the end of the presentation.  I must take my grandchildren there soon.  

As the owners mentioned, it takes a special commitment to be the caretaker of Roadside America.  And I am sure it takes dollars.  Hopefully someone with the will, time and money will take the reins from the present owners.

Oh NO! I better go again one last time!

Better visit while you can.

The current owners couldn't afford to repair the roof without donations.
Who is going to buy a business like that?

I thought I read where they received enough donations to have the roof repaired.  

Dan Padova posted:

I thought I read where they received enough donations to have the roof repaired.  

They did....

They posted a message on Facebook, stating that they are not closing it down.  There will be an auction in May of unused items and equipment, things that they no longer need for operations.

The plan is to stay open as long as possible, hopefully in that time find someone to assume operations.  But in no way are they setting a deadline and closing it up.

Yes, it states that in the first post of this thread. I think people are speculating if nobody's interested what will happen to it.

It's for sale at 2.3 million $$$...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...sale-2-3million.html

Obviously its the 23 acres of land behind the building thats the prize. Visited once about 20 years, a great story and layout,

OK, they took donations to repair their roof. Now that the public has added value to the building he is selling the business for 2.3 Million dollars. I think if he sells his business he should refund the money people donated to repair the roof plus interest. This is less than ethical to get donations and then cash out.

Scott Smith

Roadside America is a national treasure. I hope it stays intact.

Attractions like RA are harder and harder to find. The economics aren’t there anymore. More and more we will be asked to help private businesses stay afloat - just like the RA roof plea. Either enough people care or they don’t (similar to the L&A #503).

Our world is changing, and if preserving touchstones to the past is to continue, we have to change the way we approach reaching that goal.

Ideally, RA would be owned by a non-profit with no other intent than to preserve the layout and the entire experience. Could that happen? Yes, with the right leadership.

RA is the ultimate example of post-war Americana, capturing the fading railroad culture and the rising automobile culture in one single entity.

Let’s hope something gets figured out. A world without RA would be a lesser place.

Rob

I can't See refunding money for roof repairs,I wonder how much money this layout generates annually and how much money is needed for upkeep,I bet that they are not making a killing on their Layout.

Mikey

Rob, perhaps having RA as part of a school history curriculum might bolster some interest.  Let's face it, trains are not the draw they were years ago.  So why should school children care about RA ?   If the history of transportation was taught an outing to RA could spark some new interest in railroads, real and model.   

Roadside America in Shartlesville, PA  is one of the last remaining large original layouts from the late 1940's era. Everything on that layout has been scratch built and remains looking quite like the day that it was built.  IMO it remains a roadside attraction but it hasn't been promoted well or updated in many years. Its not just a layout but a very large miniature village with trains built to show the PA area in a bygone era. . Since there is 23 acres of prime highway property,  it has potential to be expanded with other commercial interests. That might be the answer to keeping the exhibit afloat, but investors are hardly sentimentalists. or historians. When they acquire prime property like this, its usually bulldoze everything down and put up a modern truck stop, restaurant or shopping center. This piece of history should be preserved or perhaps moved to a museum.

I can't See refunding money for roof repairs,I wonder how much money this layout generates annually and how much money is needed for upkeep,I bet that they are not making a killing on their Layout.

Over the years I've been there three times.
Each time there weren't more than a couple of other people/families there.
The last time i don't think a number of the animations were working.

At 2.3 million dollars, I don't think they are going to find a buyer who is interested in the train layout. Unfortunately, it will probably wind up being liquidated.

Casey Jones2 posted:

It's for sale at 2.3 million $$$...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...sale-2-3million.html

Now if you guys and gals buying those Kohs and Vision Line locomotives would just chip in a few bucks....

George