Hi some friends and I operate a “O” scale Hi-Rail display layout in a local mall. The layout is 24’ x 55’ multi-level. It is historically based on the area of the layout, the Anthracite Coal Region circa the steam era. We run conventional, DCS, and TMCC. We recently took on additional space in hopes of generating more interest / membership by opening up to other more popular scales. We have room now for HO, On30, N or 2 more scales / layouts. We are laid back. All we ask is that you try your best, are open to learn, and put in some time every month. We meet once a week and are currently open to the public 2X a month.
We are open to all disciplines, if you like carpentry, structure building, wiring, painting, track laying, you name it, we can really use your help. We are also open to people who are interested in the history and heritage of our area. Coal mining, Railroads, mainly the Reading, PRR, and Lehigh Valley. We have the beginnings of a website at Anthracitemodelrr.com it has a long way to go. We also have some video on Youtube. Search for Frackville plus model trains.
We are located in the Schuylkill Mall Frackville PA. Conveniently accessed from Interstate I-81 and State Road 61. You can bring your significant others and they can shop or dine while you enjoy your hobby. If you’ve always wanted to work on a larger layout than you have room for, this is your chance.
Please email us at malltrains@gmail.com for more information.
Thanks for reading. We hope to hear from you. Dave, Wally, Caleb, Jim, Jim, & Jim
Sounds like fun. I currently live between Hazleton and W-B, but I work in Schuylkill county, and Frackville is pretty much the center of my “territory.” When do you all meet and where, exactly? I’d like to swing in, check out your layouts, and see if I can help out at all. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, and I have some things to bring to the table, but I’m always anxious to learn more, esp about fixing stuff. I like doing wiring, track layout and lately, scenery (my stuff looks OK in places, and amateurish in others.) Like I said, always looking to learn more about the hobby. Thanks!
That’s great. We meet in the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville at the intersection of I-81 & 61. We have a room in the Famous Label Wing. If you go in throught the side entrance where there is a sign for CITI Bank go to the main hall and make a right we are right there. You can see the trains through a big plate glass window. We normally get together on Wednesday nights sometimes 6 sometimes 7. But I can get there an let you in by 6pm. We won’t be getting together this Wednesday because of the snow. We are open to the Public a couple Sundays a Month. The next one is Feb 21st. So maybe Next Wednesday?
Email and I’ll give you a cell number to call to make sure we are there. I come from 45 miles away in Reading. Thanks for your interest. Dave
No meeting tonight? I waited around until 7, then I bugged out. It did give me a chance to wander around the mall, grab a slice of pizza, and see how things have changed in the last 20 years, wow. The “new mall,” ha ha! Hopefully, I’ll catch you all next week.
I’m sorry, I didn’t have a phone number to reach you. I started up and I got a call from Wally who lives in Frackville that it was sleeting and the trucks were out and he didn’t thing it was a good idea for me to come up. So I made it about 1/3 of the way and turned around. Please give me a cell phone number so this doesn’t happen again. Also if there is a question again, please call me at 717-799-xxxx to confirm we are getting together. Again I really apologize. Yes the mall is pretty sad, part of our problem, but also the reason why we get the space, free of charge. Dave
Hey Dave, Got your message earlier, no problem. I was in St. Clair anyway and had to go up to Frackville to get on 81, so it wasn’t miles out of my way or anything. I just killed 45 minutes strolling around the mall and grabbing some pizza. I’ll check back with you next week to see if you all are going to be up there. I’ll put your number in my phone, just in case we get bad weather again. Hope to see ya next week! ~Mike