Annual Train Display Continues this Weekend

The Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church train display continues tonight and tomorrow at the Ford City church along Main Street (KP File Photo)

by Jonathan Weaver

Before they are looped around the Christmas tree, this weekend will be the silver anniversary for a holiday train display at Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church in Ford City.

Co-Founder Thomas Prager, of Kittanning “perfected” the annual display with Doug Bartosh, of Ford Cliff, after Prager was previously involved in a train display at Bull Creek Presbyterian Church in Tarentum.

“I said ‘we need to work smarter, not harder’ so that’s how we came up with this concept,” Prager said. “(Bull Creek Presbyterian displays trains) on the weekends in December, but they don’t have the longevity that (Appleby Manor Presbyterian has). You start with a good nucleus of people - people who actually enjoy doing mission work.

“What really makes it all worthwhile is, when you get young children in there and they are just so happy.”

Before the weeklong display ends, Prager said local hobbyists can view about 10 unique displays - including his, which includes four different levels - and designs laid out by Charlie Cost and Walt Marr, whom Prager referred to as “geniuses.”

“I have six trains running - two main lines, including “Thomas,” “Percy,” “Diesel” and an On30, which is more of an exact scale in the O-gauge line, with Mount Rushmore - which I didn’t have before (but implemented since he has four coinciding presidential box cars),” Prager said. “Everybody does their own thing. I start with a vision during the year. When I run, my mind wanders. Or, if I see something that I really want to do for the display, I’ll purchase it and work my magic around that.”

Prager has been collecting trains for about 50 years - ever since living in the Brackenridge area and watching his parents annually set up a “wall-to-wall” train display.

Even after retirement, Prager recycles cans to continue updating his model train collection - which includes at least four limited-edition models.

Prager is now passing along his knowledge to the fourth-generation - from his father, John, to Prager, Prager’s daughters, Brenda Colwell and Stacy Chypher and then to Prager’s four grandchildren. John’s post-World War II Lionel train set (valued at more than $800 per unit) was passed on to Prager’s oldest grandson - Alex (a seventh-grader at Armstrong Junior/Senior High).

Train displays will be available for viewing from 6:30-8:30PM (tonight) Friday and from 2-4 and 6:30-8:30PM tomorrow (Saturday).

While admission is free, monetary donations to support the church missions or canned food to benefit the Ford City Food Bank is appreciated.

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