With the holidays right around the corner, Waynesburg will soon be bright and decorated for the season. One Waynesburg resident is taking the joy of the season to a new level, opening his home to the public for the Waynesburg Miniature Railroad.
Warren Hlafcsak has been creating model railroad displays for the last two and a half years in the basement of his old house in Waynesburg. Now that he has moved to 137 Huffman Street, he is opening his home to people from around the community to come see his creation.
“I used to live in a duplex in Waynesburg and I would clear out my basement and build the layout,” Warren says. “Everyone we know loves it so we decided to open it up to the public so kids and adults can get the chance to see it and love it too.”
When you enter Warren’s home, guests can expect to see three trains running through a variety of scenery places along the track. The main train features a logging train while a rail bus will travel between two stations. As guests head out, there will also be three autonomously moving vehicles as Warren wanted to create a bigger experience.
The planning for the project began more than two years ago and is still growing. Warren wants guests to know that the railroad is a work in progress that is constantly changing with new ideas.
“I have been working on the layout for two and a half years and the planning began in one room with a figure eight track,” Warren says. “Then, I cut a hole in the wall, and it led into another room. The track quickly comes together and it just kind of pops in my head as I go along. It isn’t a finished product and that’s why I call it a work in progress. I just wanted to give the public something they can come see and enjoy.”
Along with the model train showing, Warren is also taking donations for two charities that mean the most to him. Guests can make donations to Breast Cancer Awareness and the Greene County Humane Society. Both have played big roles in Warren’s life, and he is excited to be able to give back.
“My wife is a breast cancer survivor and we wanted to help raise awareness about the disease,” he says. “We have also gotten several pets from the Greene County Humane Society and been customers for 20 plus years. It just helps bring awareness to both charities and helps them with funding and volunteers.”
However, Warren’s ultimate goal is to make people smile with his display. He has been into creating model railroad displays for years and wants to bring joy to those who come to see it. He says that if he can impact just one life, the work would have been worth it to bring this display to life.
“I get a lot of compliments from people, and it feels good that I have done something that people like,” Warren says. “At the end of the day if I can get one kid interested in railroading and model trains or I can bring back childhood memories for one adult that will make it all worth it.”
The Waynesburg Miniature Railroad (a work in progress) is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5-8pm at 137 Huffman Street in Waynesburg. Warren says if the lights are on come on down and experience this one of a kind holiday display.
