Model Train Enthusiasts Stage Holiday Display

2021 marks the third year that Willow Street resident Al Strausner and his grandson, Matthew Palmeri, will build a temporary model railroad layout at West Willow United Methodist Church (UMC), 118 West Willow Road, Willow Street. In December 2018, more than 180 people visited. The year after, the pair saw about 300 visitors.

The upcoming display will differ from years prior, but Strausner plans to incorporate several Plasticville buildings like he did before. Now 77, Strausner has been collecting Plasticville items since he was 7. "Instead of candy and gifts for special occasions, my aunt and uncle would give me a Plasticville," he explained. Today, his entire basement is stocked with Plasticville, and about five years ago, his grandson became interested in collecting, too. "He has two sheets of plywood as platforms, and every inch is covered with Plasticville," Strausner said.

An eighth-grader at Marticville Middle School, Matthew said he hopes to have a collection as large as his grandfather's at some point. "Pappy takes me to train shows, and there's a flea market up in Adamstown, and it's a pretty big thing," he stated. "There's a guy up there and he's very nice. I bought Plasticville from him last year and he has it for pretty cheap, so I get a lot from him."

Matthew's mother, Amy Palmeri, sometimes helps Matthew with his projects. "I tell her to get me this and grab that," commented Matthew. "I think she's picked up on what I mean." Amy, Strausner's daughter, also keeps track of how many people visit the train display at the church.

For this year's train display, Strausner will coordinate the placement of houses, stores, churches, motels, municipal buildings, diners, and apartment buildings, whereas Matthew will manage the details, including the trees, telephone poles, people, cars, flagpoles, and mailboxes. Matthew noted that there will be choir risers set up along the outside edges of the train display for children to get a better view of the layout.

The holiday train display will be open at the church from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 11 and 18, and Sundays, Dec. 12, 19, and 26. There is no cost to attend, but visitors can bring in nonperishable food items, which will be donated to the Conestoga Community Food Bank and Solanco Neighborhood Ministries.

"I just get excited talking to people about Plasticville," said Strausner.

For more information about the train display, contact Strausner at william.strausner@yahoo.com or 717-917-6922. To learn more about Plasticville, Strausner recommends visiting http://www.tandem-associates.com.