Bro. Lou Reilly, Treasurer of the club, (right) shows off some of the model railroad scenery to (l-r) Bro. Thomas W. Jackson, R.W. Grand Secretary; Bro. Robert L. Dluge, Jr., R.W. Deputy Grand Master; and R.W. Grand Master James L. Ernette.

With all of the growth that the Masonic Homes has experienced over the years, one might not be surprised to see the community build its own railroad station on the grounds in Elizabethtown.

The old cannery building on Freemasons Drive now closely resembles an old-fashioned railroad station, and locomotives and trollies bustle amidst beautiful scenery. This newly renovated attraction can only take would-be travelers to one destination: the past.

Residents from the Masonic Homes have engineered a model railroad club and museum that, through generous donations, hard work, and vision, can recreate vivid memories of past travels. The 5,100-square-foot building, renovated to look like an old fashioned railroad station, houses O gauge and HO gauge trains and a trolley for starters.

In the reception area, former church pews are set back-to-back, just as you would find in old-time railroad stations.

The station also has a workshop for members to construct items for the display. Much of the displays were made by hand with care and skill by members of the club, such as the platform, which is designed so that the members can get to and from the control panels, and to and from the platform display.

Walter Weidner, Lodge No. 665, Ephrata, a resident of the Masonic Homes' independent living area and Second Vice President of the club, designed the table work and other club members helped to build it. The outside detail and the old-fashioned lights were contributed by the Masonic Homes.

Past the workshop is the 300+ square-foot, $45,000 HO gauge track, a gift to the club from David Foster. This spectacular display is complete with miniature figurines of people, street lights, stop lights, mountains, tunnels, and, of course, trains.

In the rear of the station are 1,024 square feet of O-gauge track, covered with Pullman, baggage, and observation cars, and a steam engine.

The club meeting room has large windows overlooking the surrounding farmland, as well as chairs for members and a table for the officers of the club.

As of August, before the grand opening of the attraction, the club already had more than 30 members. What's unique about membership in the club is that a man and his wife can belong on one membership and share one vote. And you don't have to be a Mason to join. "Anyone can belong as long as they have an interest in model railroads," Bro. Weidner said.

The idea for the model railroad club started with some residents discussing the idea in May 1997. The group spoke to Raymond E. Tierney, Administrator, Independent Living, and Joseph E. Murphy, Executive Director/CEO of the Masonic Homes, who agreed that the gentlemen's idea would not only provide the club's members with a hobby, but would also add a valuable attraction for the Elizabethtown and surrounding communities.

By the end of August, the club had received a variety of valuable donations, including old photographs, a large map from 1929 showing old railroads in Pennsylvania, which was a "high spot of railroading in the country," Bro. Weidner said. Many of these contributions came about from previous articles in The Pennsylvania Freemason.

"We appreciate the interest we received from those who already contributed, and we'd like them to know that their donations are well taken care of," said Elwood Schmidt, Pennsylvania Meridian Sun Lodge No. 2, Philadelphia, a resident of Masonic Homes' independent living area and President of the club. The club has ample storage for keeping the items while the renovations and decorating are being completed.

The station opened for tours on Grand Master's Day, even though the displays were not completely finished, so visitors could see the work that the club members had done and the donations they had received. The club hopes to hold a grand opening for the community in November, wants to encourage school children to visit, and let the community know that they are welcome to tour the station and to become club members.

To receive an application for membership to the Masonic Homes and Elizabethtown Model Railroad, obtain more information, or to make a contribution or donation to the club, contact the following brethren: Elwood L. Schmidt, President of Masonic Homes' Model Railroad Club, 2318 James Buchanan Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-3101; (717) 361-0861 or Walter Weidner, Vice President of Masonic Homes' Model Railroad Club, 3320 James Buchanan Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-3101; (717) 367-5328.

To visit the station, follow the yellow railroad signs to make sure you're on the right track!