There is still a chance to enjoy the holiday open houses at the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club (CVMRRC), named for the Cumberland Valley Railroad which began operations in Chambersburg during 1837. Open from noon to 4 PM on Saturday, December 30, and Sundays, January 7 and January 14, the varied train display has ten gauges of trains and more than 55 trains running the rails.
Freight hobbyists, families, young and old can enjoy the imagination and creativity shown in the many displays. Displays include Jurassic Park, the beautiful countryside of Pennsylvania, an oil refinery, biker’s hangout, Bedrock quarry with Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, Ninja Turtles, Paddington Bear, a lumber yard, plus Batman and Star Wars. Showcased are an operating Lego layout plus Thomas the Train with friends Lady, James, Gordon, Percy, Jeremy, Emily, Donald, Douglas, Hank, and Rosie.
Visitors are challenged to find Smokey Bear in the forest. Other hidden characters are Bugs, Daffy, Tasmanian Devil, plus Tom and Jerry. Admission to the open houses are free. Children receive coloring pages, and adults can enjoy complimentary train magazines.
The Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club is a membership organization, whose members share an interest in trains, train collecting, and train displays. Over the years, CVMRRC collected 3,700 pieces of rolling stock. In addition to the open house location at 440 Nelson Street in Chambersburg, CVMRRC maintains a display at Texas Lunch on Lincoln Way West and maintains the authentic boxcar at Norlo Park along Route 30 in Chambersburg. A special holiday display at Black Rose Antiques in the Chambersburg Mall can be viewed until mid-January.