Train Gang seeks new home for Christmas display
The Train Gang’s annual Christmas display is in jeopardy of being derailed this season.
Members lost their most recent home in downtown Washington, and unless they find a new home – and soon – their trains, buildings and other accoutrements will remain in storage.
“If you’re going to do it, you have to do it right,” said Joe Jack, who has shared his train collection with the public for more years than he can remember.
Jack started the display, which includes running trains, animation, and replicas of local businesses, in Beaver, then moved it to Canonsburg when he relocated to Washington County. After the Canonsburg building was leased to a different company, the display moved to downtown Washington.
Since then, other train enthusiasts have added parts of their collections to the display.
“We try to involve the town in the sounds and sights in the display,” Jack said. “We always include something that people can identify with.”
Ideally, Jack is hoping a church will offer to house the display because, he said, empty storefronts aren’t really suitable for the 10-foot-by-40-foot display.
“We want to share it. We’re looking for a permanent place, and the sooner, the better. We need a fairly large place,” Jack said, adding that the Train Gang will help pay for utilities.
The display traditionally has opened the night of the Christmas parade in Washington, and remains open on weekends and three to four nights a week until Christmas. Each year, it draws hundreds of visitors.
“If we get the demand, the men are willing to run it into January,” Jack said. “We look forward to this every year.”
Although the display is free, monetary donations are accepted and given to area charities that provide volunteers to help staff the display.
“It varies every year,” Jack said, noting that Habitat for Humanity and the Washington Area Humane Society have been among the beneficiaries of the donations. “We have people who come to help us thank people for coming.”
Donations are divided among the charities based on the number of hours each charity volunteers.
Anyone who is interested in donating space can contact Joe Jack at 724-622-6693 or joesworld4022@yahoo.com.