Monday, December 01, 2008

Harlansburg Station Transportation Museum, near I-80/I-79

Received the following via email.

Don Barnes is a retired commercial jet pilot and model railroader. He flew for USAir and was certified on everything from DC-3s to 767s...and he likes steel-related railroading! He has a terrific HO layout in one of the former PRR CONGRESSIONAL stainless steel passenger cars he has on display at the Harlansburg Station Transportation Museum that he maintains at the intersection of U.S. Rt. 19 and PA Rt. 108, south of Mercer and east of New Castle, PA. As information, PA Rt. 108/Harlansburg Road is Exit 105 on I-79, and U.S. Rt. 19/Perry Highway is Exit 15 on I-80.

Don's layout has a steel mill and lots of yard, industrial and urban scenes. Much of the rolling stock and steam and diesel motive power reflects the PRR and P&LE trains that Don saw so much of while growing up near Pittsburgh, but he also wisely has B&LE F7s and early SDs on the layout and in his 15-stall roundhouse. His fascinating and neatly-arranged museum displays also contain extensive aircraft and aviation history exhibits to also enjoy. Even beyond trains and planes, his exhibits also highlight cars, trucks and motor coaches, plus he has a maritime museum. He has an incredible amount of 'stuff' there that I had no idea even still existed!

Here are a couple of pics of the HO layout, plus links he has to the rest ofhis displayed collections:
http://www.harlansburgstation.com/miniaturerailroad.htm