Choo Choo Barn turns 50 and opens this weekend


Choo Choo Barn Marks Milestone

One of the largest model train displays in U.S. turns 50

The curtain is going up for the 50th season of one of the largest, most engaging, custom model train displays in America. The Choo Choo Barn –Traintown, U.S.A.® - located in Strasburg, PA, opens for the season Saturday, March 12, 2011. Featuring more than 150 animations and 22 operating trains, this 1,700 square foot handcrafted, work-of-art is packed with action as it details the many familiar landmarks and scenes Lancaster County has to offer.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary, the Choo Choo Barn is offering a special promotion for anyone turning 50 during 2011. Visitors who hit the BIG 5-0 anytime this year can celebrate with free admission to the massive train display. To qualify, simply bring verification of your birth year and be prepared to NOT act your age. Each season the Choo Choo Barn has something new to offer – wowing visitors and leaving just about everyone wondering how it all happens. From a moving Ferris wheel, with hand-cast seats and custom lights, to tiny trees and stalks of corn to live fish swimming in a pond, the creativity and attention to detail is nothing short of amazing.

After nine weeks and about 1000 hours of renovations, the 2011 season brings enhanced animations and landscaping throughout the display. Additionally, a few favorite scenes have been remodeled, including Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park and the popular farm scene. Also look for the burning building, Amish barn raising, animated baseball team and a circus like no other. The Choo Choo Barn is not just a train layout – it is expanding the artistry of model railroading.

Created by the Groff family in 1961, the Choo Choo Barn is under the creative direction of Tom Groff. Traintown U.S.A.® is also home to the Strasburg Train Shop, a model railroading hobby shop with an extensive used train department and Thomas' Trackside Station, offering hundreds of Thomas and FriendsTM items and the new Chuggington line.

The Choo Choo Barn display is open daily from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., March 12 – December 31, 2011. Admission price is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-11. For more information and to learn about group rates, please call (717) 687-7911 or visit www.choochoobarn.com. For more details and updates on the 2011 season, check out Choo Choo Barn on Facebook: www.facebook.com/choochoobarn.