| We are excited to announce the opening of the TRAIN TUNNEL at the Watson Curtze Mansion--lower level!! The address is 356 West 6th Street Erie, PA 16507. We are told that a train layout is never finished so here is what we have built so far...the dimensions are sixteen feet wide and ten feet deep. It has three levels with three seperate train layouts and trains. The first level has moving gates, lighted buildings, scenery and an Alaska passenger train. The train travels through tunnels under the second level. The next level has typical assessories and a train hauling product. The top level has a train which travels through a farm then an urban setting and travels into a town typical of the late 1800's. You can see the steam engine in the picture of the tressel!!! THE TRESSEL---is 62 inches long X 14 inches tall. It was made from 1/8" X 3/8" wood strips glued together. There are 960" of lamanated supports---1206" of cross bracing---682" of decking. There are more than 2000 pin heads cut to lenght and pressed in at the appropriate places. The tressel was built by John Groters. He guessed he had more than 80 hours in construction!!!! The color was produced from SHERWIN WILLIAMS wiping stain. It is called SHERWOOD wiping stain and it is a perfect color for the timbers!! The layout was produced by John and his dad, THE TRAINMAN Raymond Groters. Most train people have heard of Ray. He has been active in the hobby for his lifetime. Also involved was Rays' wife Carole. We have tours and lectures by our local train experts. At this time we are building an engine cab. It will have all the bells and whistles that a person may sit at (on a real train stool!) and run the displays!!! It's good to have the world's largest train engine manufacturer in your home town!!!!!!!!!!! Watch for up-dates and call 1-814-871-5790 for operating hours or write us. THE TRAIN TUNNEL TEAM Click on the pictures below to supersize them!!
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