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Miniature Railroad & Village

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The Miniature Railroad & Village (MRRV) is one of the largest and most detailed model train layouts in the United States. It painstakingly shows how western Pennsylvania was from 1880 to 1930 (with some artistic license). Located at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the MRRV has been a Pittsburgh tradition for over 50 years.

History

The exhibit dates back to late in the second decade of the 20th Century. Charles Bowdish (1896 - 1988) of Brookville, Pennsylvania, was a soldier in World War I, and was exposed to mustard gas. He was then sent home to recover. While recovering, he started to build a model of Brookville with trains running through it, in his home on Creek Street (the home has since been demolished). On Christmas Eve 1920 in his home was his brother's wedding and reception. Charlie had the trains running as part of the entertainment. One of the guests, Alfred Truman, asked if he could bring some friends over to see it, and Charlie said yes. Word spread, resulting in nearly 600 people showing up!

Because of this, Christmas Eve 1920 is considered to be the birth date of the exhibit.

Bowdish soon began setting his railroad up yearly at Christmas time in his house. Each year there would be a different theme, such as White Christmas or Indian Summer. The railroad spanned the entire second floor, and no admission fee was ever charged. Thousands of people saw it over the years, some coming from other countries. After a flood nearly destroyed his stored models, and his insurance compamy refused to cover the crowds anymore, he began searching for a new home for his work. He originally offered it to the town of Brookville, but they said no

Eventually he offered it to the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in Pittsburgh (renamed Buhl Science Center in the 1970s). The Buhl offered him space, opening there on December 1, 1954, and ran until December 31. During the 31-day period, figures showed that 23,885 visitors viewed the layout. It was originally 14' X 14', and was called "Charles Bowdish's Christmastown Railroad", and renamed The Miniature Railroad & Village in 1957. It was an instant hit, and was and still is one of the major holiday attractions in Pittsburgh. The MRRV was in the basement, and the line would at times extend out the front door and around the block, and the wait would be 4 hours long.

Eventually the dates it was open would be the first weekend of November to the last weekend of February. It was then torn down and stored until next year because the space had to be used for the annual science fair.

In the late 1980s, Buhl became a part of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The Buhl staff had been wanting to expand the science center so they could bring in large travelling exhibits, and create more of their own. Joining the Carnegie allowed them to have the resources to do it. Buhl closed in the Spring of 1991, and Carnegie Science Center opened on October 5, 1991,

A whole new building allowed the staff to dedicate a room just to the MRRV. The new and expanded Miniature Railroad & Village opened in the Fall of 1992.

Present

The current platform is 83 feet long by 30 feet wide, 60% larger than the original. Five Lionel trains and one Bowser trolley operate continuously.

The new display’s philosophy was the historic and educational significance of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. It could be considered a large anmated history book. The display depicts how people worked, lived, and played during the years 1880-1930. These years cover part of the American Industrial Revolution, the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the Gilded Age(as Mark Twain called it), World War I, the Roaring 20s, to the beginning of the Great Depression. All of the models featured on the display are handcrafted by staff (paid and volunteers) from real structures around Western Pennsylvania. The display boasts the largest steel mill ever replicated in O Scale: the Sharon Steel Mill from Farrell, PA, which was constructed from the mill’s actual blueprints.

Expert advisors were contracted to make the new display as lifelike as possible; for example, a Harvard professor designed the lighting system to resemble the movement of the Sun and actual daylight. A sophisticated computer system controls the layout. Opto 22, a company which supplies NASA and Disney World with control modules, provided the system.

Every year, two months before Thanksgiving, the display closes down for maintenance. During this shutdown period, new models are installed, which were constructed during the year, for exhibition on the display. Occasionally old models are installed as well. Scenes on the display are updated, and the layout is given a careful and thorough cleaning.

Collectible Boxcars

For the past eight years, Lionel has issued collectable boxcars commemorating the railroad. Each year, the boxcar features an unique design, drawn up inhouse. These limited edition cars are only available through the Carnegie Science Center's XPLOR Store.

Facts and Figures

  • The display is 83 feet long by 30 feet wide
  • Over 250,000 handmade trees are planted on the display
  • There are over 100 handmade animations, not including the trains, that help create a sense of life
  • There is over 1500 feet of track, all from GarGraves
  • Real water is used, with boats floating down powered by magnets
  • Other real materials used: Coal, coke, limestone, and iron ore

References

1. MRRV Training Manual
2. Miniature Railroad

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