History group enhancing Mars Shortline Railroad
The Mars Shortline Railroad is back on track for the summer, and a few changes are in store.
The small-scale, riding railroad layout operated by the Mars History and Landmarks Society welcomed its first passengers of the season late last month, as volunteers worked to make the riding experience even better.
Work is nearly complete on a wooden pavilion that will serve as the new boarding station for the train, but also will include picnic tables and be available to rent for private parties or gatherings.
Society member Bob Lang of Franklin Park said concrete for the pavilion was poured last week, and it should be available for use within a month.
The new structure is located behind the fully restored B & O Railroad Station that serves as both a museum and headquarters for the Mars History and Landmarks Society. Currently, riders board the train in front of the station.
“We wanted to make it a more comfortable experience for them,” Lang said. “This will get them out of the direct sun and give people a place to sit as they are waiting to board.”
Lang said it should also help improve traffic flow around the site.
The Mars Shortline is a 1⁄8-scale railroad layout that was built by society volunteers beginning in 2012.
It includes 650 feet of mainline track that winds through the property, passing by many items in the society's growing collection, including a functional 1900-era windmill that is used to pump water, a fully restored 1926 B & O caboose and a partially restored 1928 locomotive.
Not only did volunteers build the railroad, they also keep it up and running each week.
“Friday is our work day, and we probably get 12 to 20 volunteers every week,” Lang said.
That includes Curtis Bowers of Mars, who was drawn to the railroad while walking past the station several years ago.
“We got to talking and they asked if I wanted to help out,” Bowers said. “I had just retired, so I had some time. So I said, ‘sure.'”
Lang said volunteers travel from as far as Butler to help out each week.
Keeping the railroad running can be a lot of work, but the payoff can be big as well.
“It is amazing to see how much the kids enjoy it,” said Bill Swaney, curator for the society. “For something so relatively simple, sometimes it's like they can't get enough.”
Vince Townley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-772-6364 or vtownley@tribweb.com.
