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Above: A miniature train decorated for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad --- which once bisected Downtown McKeesport --- rolls along the Mon-Yough Valley Railroad. The HO-scale train display, constructed by the McKeesport Model Railroad Club, is slated to undergo major renovations following this year's holiday show. Club officials are also hoping to recruit new members interested in model building, local history and railroads. (Rob Mihalchik photo for McKeesport Model Railroad Club)

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Demolition of the Mon-Yough Valley Railroad? Say it ain't so!

It's true. The operators of the venerable McKeesport-based railroad company are drawing up plans that would reroute its trains through entirely new towns and serve a variety of new industries.

Before you rush to the map and look for the Mon-Yough Valley's tracks, you'd better remember that the MYV is the fictional railroad owned and constructed by the McKeesport Model Railroad Club, 2209 Walnut St.

The club is hosting what it's calling a "pre-demolition" holiday train show and open house from Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 21.

Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and 12 noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. A donation of $4 for adults and $1 for children is requested.

Club President Dean Liberty Jr. says parts of the Mon-Yough Valley Railroad --- which fills up most of a former Steelworkers' Union hall in the Christy Park section of the city --- are now approaching 20 years old. The club, which was founded in 1950, purchased the building in 1987.

The need to upgrade the HO-scale (1/87th of actual size) model railroad to modern technology and the desire to add new scenery is driving the redesign, Liberty says.

In addition, club members also want the model railroad to become more educational for visitors, and more closely tell the story of the Mon Valley area.

Under one plan currently under being considered, the club would build a new railroad that would run roughly from Connellsville in Fayette County, through Monessen, Monongahela, Clairton and McKeesport.

Along the route, real landmarks would be represented, including coal mines and "beehive-style" coke ovens in Fayette County; steel and glass plants along the Mon River, and the famous pipe mills that gave McKeesport its nickname of "the Tube City."

The club is also recruiting new members --- especially people who are interested in researching local history or learning how to build a model railroad.

An entirely new classification of auxiliary membership will allow new recruits to join for just $10 per month. In addition, anyone joining between now and March 31, 2009 will receive three months' dues free.

Although there are no restrictions on who can apply for auxiliary membership, the classification is designed for high school and college students, retirees or others on fixed incomes, and the increasing number of people who are interested in joining the McKeesport club but who live far away.

The club currently has about 18 members, down from a high of 40. Club officials say the drop has been primarily caused by the declining population of the Mon-Yough area and the recent deaths of several longtime members.

Besides the railroad display, a "white elephant" table and door prizes will be available, and souvenirs and refreshments can be purchased. Parking is available across the street at CP Industries when the plant is closed. Special rates for scout and youth groups are available.

All proceeds benefit McKeesport Model Railroad Club, a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and organized under Section 501(c)3 of federal tax code.

For more information, visit www.mckeesportmodelrr.org or call 412-664-LOCO.

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Disclaimer: The author is public relations director of McKeesport Model Railroad Club Inc.