When it comes to meeting each other, model railroad enthusiasts have their own Underground Railroad — with one main difference. Instead of leading slaves to freedom like Harriet Tubman did during the Civil War, this railroad tracks down train zealots.
“We find each other by word of mouth,” said George Perrine, 90, a World War II veteran from Mountain Lake, Md. “We model railroaders find each other, you betcha.”
The retired postmaster knows what he's talking about. Perrine met Harry Clark of Connellsville Township decades ago at a model railroad contest held in the basement of a Uniontown restaurant. Back then, the Connellsville HObo Club had its railroad display at Jimmy's Restaurant. Later, the club moved to Connellsville Community Center, where it remains today.
Perrine and Clark became fast friends. “I didn't know a lot about model railroads, only that I liked them,” he explained. “Most model railroaders start out that way. I had to figure out what I was doing from magazines and other model railroaders.”
He couldn't have had a better teacher than Clark, whose lifelong hobby was trains, trains, trains.
Lifelong friends
Perrine and Clark stayed buddies until Clark passed away in 2011 at age 91. His model train legend lives on at Connellsville's latest downtown attraction. The 25- by 50-foot exhibit is available for public viewing at The Connellsville Canteen Coffee Shop along West Crawford Avenue. Until fully funded, the building will be open only on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Perrine came to town for the train display's recent grand opening. Seeing the enormous exhibit, which features a myriad of miniature Connellsville scenes depicting landmarks like the old B&O Railroad Station and the railroad's roundhouse, as well as scenes from the lumber mill town of Cass, W.Va., brought back fond memories.
Perrine helped Clark's project come alive decades ago; it was he who wired the trains so they could move. “Lots of times, I'd come to Connellsville for a visit and stay the entire weekend,” he remembered.
“The years rolled by and we just kept building and building.”
Clark's sons involved
Harry Clark's sons, Greg and Ron, warmed to Perrine's remembrances about their father. Greg repaired and spruced up the train display before it was unveiled on May 10. Its move from Nemacolin Woodlands Resort by tractor-trailer in September 2013 had caused some damage, despite safety precautions.
“I grew up around it and I wanted to see it restored,” Greg said. “I plan to stay involved.”
Ron Clark helped with the restoration. He said the buildings featured in the display — which include the former B&O Railroad Station on Water Street and Carnegie Free Library — are scaled to match the real structures. “We measured a lot of buildings, that's for sure.”
Perrine agreed. “It was a lot of work, but it sure turned out terrific.”
Asked if he plans to visit Connellsville again soon, Perrine smiled. “I have a standing invitation to come by anytime.”
Laura Szepesi is a contributing writer.
