Taking a walk inside this unique club you might think you’ve traveled back in time when the railroad was king in Altoona.

 

“I think they had up to 20,000 people around the turn of the century  working in the railroad,” said model railroad club member Jack Hatch.

 

Hatch is part of a dedicated group of volunteers who rebuilt a model of the railroad city.  

 

Club president Tim Mallon calls it a labor of love, “The hours are countless and innumerable. It doesn’t feel like you are working.”

 

Founded in 1949, the Altoona Association of Model Railroaders currently has about 50 members. Visit their home on Tenth Avenue and most Fridays nights you’ll find them busy at play.

 

“Anybody can come and work on the railroad. There’s art like looking at color and painting and scenery work. Whether it’s mechanical or construction there’s a little piece of fun here for everybody,” said Mallon.

 

The trains are high tech and can even interact with a smart phone. Every engine has a little computer chip inside programmed to run faster or slower with a phone.

 

From the steam locomotive, with real steam, to the Conrail engine there is a large collection of memorabilia.

 

“I think there’s a representative of most every locomotive class made in Altoona”

 

There is something for every rail fan and modeler to hop aboard.

 

 

 

The Altoona Association of Model Railroads generally meets every Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.