DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local train modeling non-profit is back on track after severe flooding damaged its former clubhouse in Luzerne County.
28/22 News Reporter Sydney Kostus was live Thursday morning to talk about how they’re conducting business in its newest location.
The sights and sounds of trains on the track are a breath of fresh air for members of the Back Mountain Railroad Club in Dallas.
The club’s previous location was flooded back in September, 2023, damaging part of its extensive train collection.
“We’ve estimated around $20,000. We originally thought it may be as high as 25, but it’s somewhere around 20,000,” explained Ray Mancke, president of the Back Mountain RR Club. “Buildings and scenery and things like that which got lost with the flood.”
Now relocating to the Dallas United Methodist Church, they plan to have an open house this weekend to showcase the rebuilding of their collection in its new home.
“It shows the resilience of our club and I think the dedication of the members. Not to mention the fact that there are some really very skillful people who do the carpentry and the wiring,” added Frank Mariano, charter member/storekeeper, Back Mountain RR Club.
The club has all things related to the railroad, but you don’t need to just like trains. Chugging along through their displays, it shows the history of the tracks in the valley like this model of the back mountain in the 1940s.
“If you’re a historian, you like to research how things used to be many, many years ago and recreate those scenes as part of a hobby, we could use your help. So really it does offer something for everyone,” said Ron Santora, a scale modeler for the Back Mountain Rail Road Club.
Engineering schematics of the completed clubhouse, members see a light at the end of the tunnel, all thanks to donations and support.
“We have a lot of work to do. We did lots and we have a lot more to go, but we’re going to get there with the local community, which is fantastic,” explained George Hrubowchak, communications director for the Back Mountain RR Club
The Back Mountain Railroad Club’s open house will take place Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at its location inside the Dallas United Methodist Church on Church Street.
