Choo Choo Barn

The Choo Choo Barn, Traintown U.S.A. is a 1,700-square-foot (160 m²) train display in Strasburg, Pennsylvania that features over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains.

History

The Choo Choo Barn was born in 1945, in the basement of the Groff home on Franklin Street in Strasburg, PA. George Groff (the originator) had just returned from World War II, and was looking for a Christmas present for his two-year-old son Gary. He found a $12.50 Lionel train set, and he helped his son set it up. Within a few years, that simple set had taken over a large portion of the family basement. In the 1950s, the family opened their now very elaborate display up for townspeople and local school groups during the Christmas holidays.

In the early 60's, George and Florence needed some extra funds to help pay for college. George noticed a small township maintenance facility (more like a barn) that became available along Route 741, just to the west of the recently reopened Strasburg Rail Road. The Choo Choo Barn opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1961 with over 600 square feet (56 m²) of detailed landscaping, 6 trains, and 6 animated figures.

Over the next few years, the display continued to grow, as George added something new each year. In time, his children began to help out, from collecting tickets to adding their own ideas to the growing display. A gift shop was added to the front of the building, and a picnic grove was constructed to the west of the parking lot (free tickets to the grove were available to all Barn visitors).

When the elder Groffs retired in 1979, their youngest son Thomas, and his wife Linda, became the new owners, builders, and operators of the Choo Choo Barn. A lot has changed since the days in the Groff family basement. This train layout has grown into an attraction for all ages and all groups...you don't need to be a model railroading enthusiast to enjoy the scenery and animations presented on this display. The display continues to re-open each spring, and Tom Groff and his talented team continue to add, update, clean, renovate, and restore the display, so there's something new to see every year.

Visitors won't want to miss the signature fire scene - where the fire truck leaves the firehouse to arrive at a burning home. The firemen disembark the truck to rush to the aid of the homeowners, squirting REAL water on the fire. Their mission is accomplished, and they happily return on the truck to the fire station.

Hand-built animations such as this are what make the Choo Choo Barn unique. This display pays homage to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - with miniature replicas of The Willows Restaurant, Dutch Wonderland amusement park, the Strasburg Railroad, and even a scale version of the Groff family home. More than just a train display, the Choo Choo Barn is a real work of art - handcrafted year after year by Tom Groff in an effort to keep tradition alive.

References

• History Page from the Official Choo Choo Barn Website
• Amish Country News
• Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center

External links

• The Official Choo Choo Barn Website