A favorite holiday tradition has returned.
The train display is back at the Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department Station 224 in Verona. The display, which was forced to take a hiatus last year because of the pandemic, is now in its 15th year, and the intricate model display is as big as ever.
Featuring a walk-around setup that traverses the entire inside of the fire department, the model has a zoo, a Christmas village, a carnival scene, a Pennsylvania mine, a New York City skyline complete with superheroes, tunnels, bridges and various smaller towns and scenes in which multiple trains run through.
The display even has an interactive aspect, as visitors can press buttons matched up with various lights and moving parts throughout the display. For instance, press one button, and a miniature fireman in the firehouse slides down a pole, and then doors open and a fire truck rolls out. Visitors also can take part in a scavenger hunt in which they attempt to find items throughout the various towns and setups in the display.
In addition, there is a Thomas the Train model for children in which the kids can actually touch and play with the train sets, and the rest of the fire department is decorated with Christmas trees and various other festive holiday-themed items. Santa even makes an appearance on Saturdays, starting at 7 p.m.
The department also is selling Christmas tree ornaments, snowman jewelry, earrings and snow angels and is having a 50-50 drawing, which all go to benefit the fire department.
The display originally started years ago by the Penn Hills Police Department. When they were unable to continue putting it together, the fire department filled the void, and last year’s interruption not withstanding, they’ve been doing it ever since.
The display takes five months to put together, with the volunteers starting its construction in August. A committee, led by chairman and station Capt. John Fitzroy, co-chairman and Fire Chief Jason O’Connor and helper Lauren Fitzroy, meet and decide on a design before the meticulous work of assembling the display begins.
The department not only is able to raise a little bit of money but also spread some holiday cheer to the community. “It’s really nice to be back and see people again. The kids get such a kick about everything being on their level. It’s nice to see the smiles on their faces,” Fire Association secretary Linda Romick said.
The holiday train display is at 1002 Center Avenue in Verona. The display runs until Dec. 30, and hours of operation are from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The display will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is $2 per person, and 100% of the proceeds benefit the fire department.
