Six years ago, Al Strausner and his grandson Matthew Palmieri started an annual tradition that combines their love for model railroading with the desire to give back to the community. Every December, the two train enthusiasts set up a model train display at West Willow United Methodist Church (UMC), 118 West Willow Road, Willow Street. The event allows Strausner and Palmieri, now 17 years old, to share their passion with members of the community in addition to benefiting nonprofits in Conestoga and Quarryville.

Strausner and Palmieri's display returned to West Willow UMC on Dec. 7, and it will be open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 14, 21 and 28, and Sundays, Dec. 15, 22 and 29. Admission will be offered by donations of nonperishable food items or cash; all proceeds will benefit Conestoga Area Food Bank and Solanco Neighborhood Ministries in Quarryville.

Although the display features many of the same models as previous years, Strausner and Palmieri typically arrange the pieces differently to offer visitors a unique experience every year. "We switch it up every year," Strausner said. "Nothing stays the same except the track."

This year, the locomotive-loving duo has joined forces with a few other railheads to expand the event; the display at West Willow UMC will include an addition from Ben Stiles, and a second layout will be set up by Chris and Justin Trout at their home, located at 1729 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street. Chris and Justin's display will be open to the public during the same hours as the West Willow UMC layout, and the couple will also offer admission by donations of nonperishables or cash for Solanco Neighborhood Ministries and Conestoga Area Food Bank.

"We try to change it up a bit to make it interesting for people," said Palmieri. "People always love pointing out the models they had in their own Christmas setups as kids, which is neat to see."

Palmieri said that many visitors return to view the display each year, and the number of new guests has continued to grow since the first event. In 2023, Strausner and Palmieri raised more than $1,500 and garnered 400 nonperishable items for the food banks in Conestoga and Quarryville, and 365 community members visited the layout.

Strausner and Palmieri's train-centered Christmas tradition has grown in more ways than one. In addition to collaborating with other model railroaders and having more visitors each year, Strausner said people have begun traveling from all over Lancaster County to check out the display and to support the food banks.

"We just love the whole thing," Strausner said. "Seeing the people who always come back is neat, and they've helped us raise a good amount of money for a good cause."