AUSTINTOWN — The Youngstown Model Railroad Association hosted the first of its annual open houses over the weekend featuring extended tracks on two levels, incorporating both the O scale and more popular HO (half O) scale into its realistic scenes depicting an amusement park, a steel mill and downtown Youngstown in the 1960s.

The YMRA has existed since 1957 but moved to its present location at 751 N. Four Mile Run Road in 1977, when the Four Mile Run Christian Church moved from the building to its present location in the next block.

YMRA Treasurer Bruce Silvernail said they continue to add pieces to the display. One new item is an exact replica of the Idora Park rocket ride. It took them more than two years of meticulous research to get the exact dimensions of the rocket ships, as well as the candy floss (cotton candy) and hamburger stands underneath, and the nearby French fry concession complete with its own tiny vat of grease.

Silvernail said that when people look at the downtown Youngstown scene, they point out a building and say, “That’s where Daddy had his office,” while when they look at the Idora Park rockets, the comment is more along the lines of, “That’s where I got my first kiss from my wife.”

One of the rocket ride builders, Kurt Sanders of Vienna, has been a member since 2021 but has a lifelong love of model trains. He said not only is everyone welcoming, but he appreciates the variety of interests that contribute to its success.

“Everyone does their part, whether it’s electronics, painting or putting kits together,” Sanders said.

Michael Schaak of Austintown helps take care of another addition, known as a module layout. It is a set that can be picked up and moved to any location, as it was when they took the display to the Oh WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology.

Silvernail said that YMRA was featured in the January issue of “Model Railroader” magazine. In the same issue was a story about rock singer Rod Stewart, who is such a model train enthusiast that any hotel where he stays must have a window that opens so when he is not performing he can paint his models.

Phil Pillin just completed his dissertation to obtain a doctorate in theology and leadership. He is a professor at Walsh University in Canton, but still lives in the area to be near friends and to stay involved in YMRA.

“My dad would take me here when I was a kid,” Pillin said, “and I became a junior member at age 14.”

He said he has now been a YMRA member for a little more than half his life.

Brandon French of Poland brought his 4-year-old daughter Claire to see the exhibit. He said they have a train set at home that they put together in the winter. French likes having a hobby that is “hands-on and something to do with your kid.”

Ivar Barb of Canfield is only 8, but has an intricate knowledge of trains and said he has even posted train videos on YouTube. He said he has an O Scale fast track at home. “My mom is afraid of me getting an electric shock, so all my trains are Lionel Bluetooth,” he explained.

Ivar’s grandmother, Jaye Christoff of Boardman, brings him to monthly YMRA meetings. “Since he started liking trains I love it,” she said.

While her grandson is interested in the trains, she enjoys the backgrounds and said, “Everything is so intricate and beautiful.”

Also on hand at the weekend event was Jordyn Faustino, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Ravenna Unit 331. She was selling raffle tickets to raise money for Buckeye Girls State, which has operated since 1946 to teach high school girls about citizenship through mock government exercises.

Faustino was a Girls State member when she was in high school and she values the confidence and leadership skills that it fosters. She said it is exciting to see girls “come out of their shells” in just one week.

YMRA welcomes new members. Besides the open houses this month and next month, anyone who wants to find out more can visit them at www.ymra.org.

If you go…

WHAT: Youngstown Model Railroad Association annual open house

WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14

WHERE: YMRA headquarters, 751 N. Four Mile Run Road, Austintown

HOW MUCH: $5, but free for children 11 and younger accompanied by an adult