Watch CBS News

Science Center's Miniature Railroad Celebrating 1st Location At Old Planetarium

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Volunteers and staff are putting finishing touches on the Miniature Railroad and Village at Carnegie Science Center.

The model railroad first appeared in Pittsburgh at the old Buhl Planetarium. Historic exhibits curator Patty Rogers says it moved to the Science Center in 1991.

"The Miniature Railroad and Village is 60 percent larger than it was at Buhl Planetarium. So we are currently 83 feet long and 60 feet wide," Rogers said.
 
Sixty years have passed since the railroad came to the North Side. Marking Buhl Planetarium's 75th anniversary, the familiar dome tops the exhibit's newest model building.

Buhl Planetarium has since been turned into the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, where new construction meshes with a dome that spans three-quarters of a century.
 
But the model railroad was actually born in Brookville. It was built by Charles Bowdish for Christmas, 1920. And it wasn't long before crowds lined up at his front step, waiting for a glimpse.
 
He continued adding to the display when the model moved to Buhl.
 
As for working on the railroad, decades later, Rogers says, "It never gets old."
 
The Miniature Railroad and Village opens to the public the day after Thanksgiving at Carnegie Science Center.

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.