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Illustration: Visitors admiring a detailed model railway layout with a station and a bridge
Illustration, not a photo of this event.

Model show

Holiday Train Show — Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum

  • Run by Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum
  • Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum — Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, United States

Next: Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027

The annual Holiday Train Show of the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum in Gibsonia, north of Pittsburgh, the only time the museum's HO layout is open to the public.

Updated

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Next edition

Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027

Nov 7–Jan 18: Sat–Sun 11 AM–5 PM, Fri 6–9 PM (Nov 27: 11 AM–9 PM); daily 11–5 Dec 26–31 and Jan 18. Closed Dec 25, Jan 1. Donation $12 adults, $6 under 12.

From $6 (as published by the operator)

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About this event

The Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum was founded in November 1938 as the Pittsburgh HO Railroad Club, which makes it one of the oldest model railroad organizations in the United States, according to the museum. It is a volunteer-run nonprofit in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburgh, at the intersection of Route 910 and Hardt Road.

The museum says its "Railroad Journey in Miniature" is open to the public only during the annual Holiday Train Show. The main display is an HO scale (1/87) layout of the fictitious Mon-Valley System, a combination mostly of the Western Maryland and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroads, set in the early 1950s. The museum puts the track at more than 6,500 feet and the trees at 250,000 to 300,000, about 95 percent of them made by hand.

A separate Toy Train display is an O gauge (1/48) layout of about 14 by 22 feet with many Lionel items and push buttons that let visitors run trains.

What to expect

The museum's HO layout and Toy Train display, a snack bar serving hot dogs, nachos, selected sandwiches and pizza, and a gift shop in a red caboose. Groups can arrange a private visit during the show season by e-mailing the museum.

Practical info

The museum is at 5507 Lakeside Drive, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania 15044, off Route 910. It is open to the public only during the Holiday Train Show. Admission is by requested donation. The museum closes on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Group visits outside public hours during the show season: groupinfo@wpmrm.org. Phone: 724-444-6944.

Where it happens

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Spots and live cams nearby

Where to watch trains within 100 km of Gibsonia.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum open to the public?▾
The museum says its layout is open to the public only during the annual Holiday Train Show, which it describes as running from mid-November to mid-January.
Where is the museum?▾
At 5507 Lakeside Drive in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, at the intersection of Route 910 and Hardt Road, north of Pittsburgh.
What scale is the main layout?▾
HO scale, 1/87. The museum says it models the fictitious Mon-Valley System, a combination mostly of the Western Maryland and Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroads, in the early 1950s.
Why is the museum not open all year?▾
The museum says it is run by volunteers, many of whom work full time, so it cannot be open on a full-time schedule.
Can a group visit?▾
During the Holiday Train Show season the museum allows groups to visit during non-show hours, arranged by e-mail to groupinfo@wpmrm.org. It does not host groups outside that season.
Is there food at the museum?▾
Yes. The snack bar serves hot dogs, nachos, selected sandwiches and pizza, along with chips, pretzels, candy bars and drinks.

Sources

Dates checked on Oct 9, 2026 from the official site: wpmrm.org. Schedules can change — always confirm with the operator before you travel.

Official website: wpmrm.org

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