Hazleton model railroad society plans winter open house showcasing history, creativity
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Jim Hoegg, president of the Anthracite Model Railroad Society, shows the layout at the club's headquarters in Hazle Township on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.
HAZLETON – Whether you’re into history, railroading of any sort, art, or craftsmanship, there’s something for you at the Anthracite Model Railroad Society and you can check it out throughout the winter.
Tucked away in an alleyway off 23rd Street just outside Hazleton city limits, the society has been a place for about two dozen hobbyists to work on, and show off, their craft.
Over time, members devised a 21′ by 56′ HO-gauge model railroad.
He said that, initially, tracks were being laid by hand, showing examples of the pieces that make up an HO-scale rail. That process, while still used in one portion of the set, took too long for some members liking.
“They wanted to run trains,” Hoegg quipped.
The set was initially housed at the former Holy Trinity School in the city before moving to the current location.
Craftsmanship combines history, art
The set isn’t just the tracks and the locomotives and rolling stock that run on them.
The scenes are a work of art themselves, capturing local history or a custom, fictional scene, showcasing creativity nonetheless.
“Practically all of the buildings are handmade,” Albert Stefánik, a member since 2008, told the Sentinel. “I’d say about 80% of them.”
Hoegg, who has been with the club since the early days in 1990, agreed.
Those buildings include the Markle Bank tower in Hazleton, the Jim Thorpe train station, the former Berylco plant at Ashmore, which began its life as a roundhouse, Bethlehem Steel, and the original Drifton breaker.
Stefánik was especially proud to show a scene depicting a storm, complete with a moving tornado and accompanying sound effects.
If you have a sharp eye, you can find miniature animals and other features, smaller than the size of your fingertip, throughout the set.
Members sought
Hoegg and Stefánik both said new members are always welcome.
Members have access to the set to craft their own scenes, run their own rolling stock, or just relax.
They emphasized the multifaceted creative outlets the hobby offers, noting they had a recent member join simply to create landscapes and scenes.
Details on how to apply are available at the club’s website.
Open house upcoming
The winter open houses begin this Thursday, Thanksgiving night, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and continue in the early afternoon on select weekends through mid-January at the club headquarters at 1056 Hanover Court.
A full schedule is below:
- Thursday, Nov. 27: 5pm to 8pm
- Saturday, Nov. 29: noon to 4pm
- Sunday, Nov. 30: noon to 4pm
- Saturday, Dec. 6: noon to 4pm*
- Sunday, Dec. 7: noon to 4pm*
- Saturday, Dec. 20: noon to 4pm
- Sunday, Dec. 21: noon to 4pm
- Saturday, Dec. 27: noon to 4pm
- Sunday, Dec. 28: noon to 4pm
- Saturday, Jan. 3: noon to 4pm*
- Sunday, Jan. 4: noon to 4pm*
- Saturday, Jan. 10: noon to 4pm
- Sunday, Jan 11: noon to 4pm.
On days denoted with an asterisk above, equipment from Thomas The Tank Engine will be running.
Admission is free, though donations are accepted and appreciated.
If you can’t make it for an open house, private tours are offered at a cost of $5 per person. Children 5 and under are free. For more information, or to schedule a tour, call Albert at 570-436-6368 Monday through Friday between 2pm and 8pm.
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