Pix From PIHR at Kennywood Holiday Lights 2014 (final pix & video added 12/24)

Now for some of the details about this setup.

 

The setup is slightly different, and slightly larger than it has been in the past.  Some of the modules will be new, and some are ones that haven't been used in a while.

 

The space this layout occupies is approximately 52' x 30', but as you can see from the end of the day pix above, the shape of the layout is irregular in the back to accommodate the layout of the room.

 

I will post more pix here as the layout progresses, and once the event opens.

 

Andy

Looks like a very good start today. What a beautiful spot for a Christmas Layout.

Nice layout! It is much bigger than the one at Monroeville.

I can't wait to see it!!!

How long is your largest module?

The longest individual module is 8' (and we have 3 of them on the long straightaway), but we are also using 6', 4', and 2' modules (I think), as well as all 4 of our big curves and 4 of our half-curves.  And our 6" fitter module.

 

Andy

Thanks for posting this thread again, Andy! I haven't been able to make it to this event since the first year and always enjoy seeing your pics.

Very nice.

LOL…You have Telepathy…I was going to ask you to post some “Behind the Scenes” photos of your Club setting up at Kennywood.

Thanks for posting,!!

K.C.

Like the set up pictures.  When is the start of the official viewing open to the public.

 

 

The event runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5-9 p.m., from November 28 thru December 21, 2014, weather permitting (cancellations are usually announced on Kennywood's Facebook page by 1 p.m. the day of the event).  The first night (Black Friday) usually features fireworks (haven't seen this officially announced, but has been the case every year so far) and is usually the most crowded night, unless there is unseasonably warm weather (if it is unusually crowded, they open more rides and concession stands to handle the crowds).

 

Info on admission can be found here.  The Holiday Light season pass is a good deal if you plan on going more than once.  Try not to pay at the gate, as you will pay about $2 more per ticket.

 

Andy

Just one more day until opening night!  We are all excited!

 

Yesterday, we put most of the finishing touches on the layout, did a bunch of track adjustments and had trains running on all 4 tracks to make sure everything was in good working order.

 

 

 

 

We always like to sprinkle nods to our hosts around the layout for this event:

 

 

 

I love the reflections of the Dept. 56 buildings in the windows.

 

 

Wow, those zombies just can't get enough of these hippies...

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, and we hope to see all our local friends at Kennywood!

 

Andy

 

That is so cool, Andy! It looks terrific!!! I definitely can't go tommorrow, but I plan on going some other day.

Andy,

   Great layout as usual, I will try to make it over in the next couple days.

How long will the layout be up?

PCRR/Dave

Andy,

 

Great photos, beautiful layout.

 

Thanks for posting,

Alex

Andy - Great layout and fabulous location.  I used to love taking the family to Kennywood, I miss Pittsburgh.

 

Art

Until December 21.

 

This event is every Fri, Sat & Sun until then, weather permitting.

 

Andy

Andy,

   Thanks for all you guys do for our hobby, operating display layouts like yours in public places, like Kennywood gives the kids a real chance to both see and play with, modern O gauge technology, what you guys do is helping to keep our hobby alive.

Thanks much

PCRR/Dave

fabulous!!

Really impressive, Andy. I am sure you will be running your scale PE Berkshire with the matching scale passenger cars. This train has to be a big hit.

 

It is always a hit.   It also gets a lot of people asking questions, which is a good thing by itself.

 

Mt PE consist grew a little this year, and I'm also going to run a couple of the Polar RR cars (the milk car and wood sheathed boxcar) as head end cars.  Keep an eye on this thread for pictures.

 

Andy

 Great job, and thank you for promoting the hobby!!!

Looks really great Andy. Love those wide sweeping curves bet passenger sets look great running thru them. Any video?

 

Jerry

Andy,

Thank you for the sneak preview!

I will try to attend!

No more waiting Today Is The Day.  Might be alittle cold this eve but the snow always makes the lights in the Park look so nice.

Nice photos. Andy. Good luck with the display, and I'm looking forward to photos of the people admiring the layout (if you post any). 

I wished I could be there,too hard a trip to make from Lubbock texas though.

 

I am going to try and take some video today before the park opens.  Once the public gets in, it is very difficult to get any video.

 

Andy

Hey, good luck to you and the rest of the guys!  I'm going to miss the layout this year, so tell Dave, Thom, Jim, Bob, etc. that I hope you guys have an awesome time and great visitor turnout for this year's display!    

Here are some pix from opening night.  Some video will follow shortly.

 

 

Big Boy on the inside track.

 

 

And what is more appropriate for a holiday layout than the Polar Express?

 

 

How about a double-headed Polar Express.

 

 

Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the great photos.  Here are my comments:

 

1. The Big Boy is great "comin 'round the mountain"

2. Double headed Polar Express - Yes!

3. Santa Doc Thom looks cold.  

4. Great crowd!

5. The city street behind the station looks good. 

6. Poor old Sasquatch is quite disturbed that there is an open season on him!

7. I like the Christmas city!

 

Thanks for posting, and may the Independent Hi-Railers have a good season at Kennywood!!!

Andy,

   I have a question about the Kennywood tickets, if we purchase the light show package from Nov 20 - Dec 21 for the $14.99 each, that gives us entrance to see the train set up, thru that time period, as many times as we like, and we can walk around and see the lights thru out Kennywood, am I correct on this thinking.  I just want to understand what I need to do to see the train set up.

PCRR/Dave

Mark I was cold, I even have a heated vest on.

 

I think the season passes are $24.99 per person, and it gets you into the park any evening of the event through the remainder of the season.  Once you are in the park, you can ride the rides, walk around, enjoy the shows and visit the layout as much as you want until the park closes.  If you can make it at least twice, the seaon pass is a pretty good deal.  Also, if you have ever been to Holiday Lights before, and if you have a Holiday Lights souvenir mug/cup, you can bring it back and refills are $0.99.

 

Andy

Here are the videos I shot last night:

 

First, the trains:

 

And the fireworks display that concluded the night:

 

Andy

So I was right.  

Thank you for the videos, Andy!

Where in the park is that set up?  The dining room (Parkhurst Café I believe they call it)?

Neal, it is indeed in the Parkside Cafe building.

Very nice crowd tonight. The weather was not bad at 45 and no wind. I saw Andy taking pictures so I am sure he will post them.