This weekend, several thousand train aficionados, many with families in tow, will descend on a city rich with railroad history for the 63rd National Train Collectors Association's annual convention.

The association's Fort Pitt Division Inc., will host the event June 25 to July 2 at at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

“It's both business and pleasure for our members,” says George Starz, 53, of Friendship, convention co-chair.

And there are opportunities for members of the public enamored by trains, tracks and horns to check out several layouts for free at week's end.

Whether chugging round a Christmas tree, high on a collector's shelf or gripped in the hand of a small child, model trains are a source of fascination and delight for all ages.

“We have about 1,000 (members) registered. A lot of our locals just show up,” Starz says, laughing.

The “locals” — the Fort Pitt Division includes portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio — can number 2,000, Starz says.

Every year members travel from across the country and abroad, sharing ideas, renewing friendships and learning what's new — and old — in the world of model trains.

Founded in Yardley, Pa., in 1954, the Train Collectors Association is headquartered in Strasburg with a freestanding toy train museum. Membership has increased from 68 in 1954 to nearly 30,000 worldwide, with numerous divisions and chapters.

According to its website, members focus on toy trains, from collecting and operating to buying and selling and discussing toy trains' characteristics and production history.

Its mission includes promoting the growth and enjoyment of collecting and operating toy, model and scale trains, and preserving “an important segment of history.”

Pittsburgh, once a primary rail center and crisscrossed with tracks during the steel industry's dominance, still is home to some passenger and industrial train transportation. History shows the city was a key national railroad hub during the nation's early industrial era, through its mid-20th century collapse.

The convention last was held regionally in 2004, in Monroeville.

While conventioneers can attend seminars and view train layouts, they also will learn about the city and its surrounding region.

“This town is percolating,” Starz says.

Members have seen articles in numerous publications about Pittsburgh's sports teams, its culture and its growing reputation as a “foodie” city.

“We are in the national spotlight,” he says.

Convention excursions include Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum and Horseshoe Curve, the Connellsville Canteen HO-Scale layout, a tour of Senator John Heinz History Center, the Bayernhof (music) Museum, private collection tours, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Tampa Bay Rays game, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, the Duquesne Incline and the Andy Warhol Museum, with many selling out, Starz says.

In addition, visitors have several “learn from the experts” opportunities, including talks from O Gauge Railroading magazine editor Allan Miller and Lionel historian Robert Osterhoff.

More than 200 tables of trains from local and national vendors, and self-driving tours will keep those attending busy.

Planning displays around the hotel are Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum, Fort Pitt Hi-Railers, South Hills Model Railroad Club and the Pittsburgh S-Gaugers.

Young people will have access to train layouts they can operate, and a Just Ducky Tour, visit to Carnegie Science Center's Miniature Railroad and Village and a train layout members' children have built.

“It's safe to say this convention really put a focus on kids,” says Chris DiCianna, 53, of Cranberry, also a co-chair.

The Fort Pitt Division participates in Carnegie Science Center's annual locomotion weekend, which attracts a lot of children, many accompanied by a grandfather.

“You can see who is bringing the kids,” DiCianna says.

It's also an indicator of the strong interest of older generations in preserving train lore and collecting, he and Starz say.

Understanding most young people have a number of electronic devices, organizers also are providing an opportunity to operate a train set via smartphone app.

“It's right at the edge of technology, to get kids playing with these trains,” DiCianna says.

Both second generation collectors, the men's fathers were Train Collectors Association members who introduced their sons to train collecting.

“It was our hobby. I was born on Dec. 26. I came home to a train display (around the Christmas tree),” Starz says.

“My father was the 12th of 12 children. His family couldn't afford electric toy trains. He always liked trains. I think he used me as an excuse. He was always bringing home trains. There was never a time I wasn't interested in trains,” DiCianna says.

In fact, the two attended train shows as youngsters with their fathers in York, but did not meet at the time.

“We were probably too distracted by the trains,” DiCianna says.

Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaryPickels.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---