We’re back! And so is the Holiday Train Display at America on Wheels at 5 N Front St in Allentown
November 24 - Decembr 30
See the flier below for complete dates, times, and special events.
Open House in Memory of TJ Weber
Thomas James "T.J." Weber, 22, of Oley, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 27, 2023 at his home. Born December 12, 2000 in West Reading, he was the son of David P. and Cari L. (Tomevi) Weber, Oley.
T.J. was an avid train enthusiast and owned and operated two railroad related businesses. He owned Belt Line Productions, which specializes in railroad documentaries, and Oley Valley Rail Car, where he used 3D printing technology to make model rail cars. In addition to his railroad businesses, T.J. worked as a manager at Fisher's Produce, Oley.
On the weekend of October 28 & 29th, a garden RR Open House was held in his memory.
Here are a few photos of this awesome layout which features a re-creation of the SP/ATSF Mojave Sub / Tehachapi Loop
LVGR at Pioneer Apple Fest on October 7th
Hey everyone, it’s that time of year again. The Pioneer Apple Fest at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli is Saturday, the 7th.
The Fest is open 10-4 Saturday and we’ll be running Live Steam and whatever other Reading rolling stock we can squeeze in the the truck to get up there.
Additionally, you can check out the ride on train Craig has been restoring and see the new switch and trackage installed in the past few weeks.
And, I think Tanner will be bringing his Speeder up for display.
Don’t forget all the arts, crafts, tractors, good food and free ice cream!
Events schcedule at right.
Map of grounds below.
Or click on the link below for both in a pdf file.
Death of Long Time Member Dick Diehm
"Dick" Diehm, 85, of Kutztown, died Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in Saint Luke's University Hospital - Allentown Campus.
He was the loving husband of Mary M. (Zettlemoyer) Diehm. They were married on November 24, 1989. Born in Kenhorst, he was a son of the late William C., II, and Minerva (Decker) Diehm. Dick honorably and faithfully served our country as a veteran of the United States Navy.
Richard was a graduate of Reading High School, and attended Penn State University, Berks and Harrisburg campuses. Richard was employed as the Code Enforcement Officer for the Borough of Kutztown, for many years until his retirement in 2008. He also worked many years for the Kutztown Folk Festival, working each year providing traffic direction to motorists until 2022.
Dick was a huge fan of Penn State athletics; served as Captain of Kutztown Fire Company Fire Police; and was a former member of Kutztown Fire Company House Committee; a Penn State Alumni Association member; and as a train enthusiast, a member of South Eastern Pennsylvania Garden Railway Society (SEPGRS).
In addition to his wife of nearly 34 years, Mary, Dick is survived by sons: John Diehm and his wife Amy, Blandon; and James Diehm and his wife Kassandra, Pataskla, OH; stepchildren: Laura A. Merkel, Kutztown; and Gregory A. Merkel, Norfolk, VA. There are five grandchildren: Samantha Diehm; Ashley Diehm; Gavin Diehm; Seth Diehm; and Caleb Diehm. There is also a brother, William C. Diehm, III, and his wife Virginia, of Hollywood, MD. In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by a stillborn sister, Judith Ann Diehm, who died in 1932.
Services for Dick will be private at the convenience of the family. There are no public viewing or calling hours. Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com
Death of Longtime LVGR Member Don Albright
Donald R. Albright May 23, 1947 - June 14, 2023
Donald Robert Albright, 76, son of Edna (Billig) and Walter Albright, was carried away by angels on June 14, 2023. He passed peacefully with his daughter, Wendy by his side, after a long bout with frontal temporal dementia. He was a loving father and grandfather, a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, a Mason, and a quiet but avid philanthropist. He was a William Allen High School and West Chester University graduate, with a degree in music education. He taught music and led marching bands at Raub and Trexler middle schools in the Allentown School District and was a prolific and talented musician and conductor, active in several bands including among others, the Jolly Bavarians, Windjammers Unlimited, and most notably, the Allentown Band, with whom he played trumpet for more than 50 years. He was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play with the Allentown band in Switzerland and more than once at Carnegie Hall, and loved riding the circus wagon with the Windjammers in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. He also enjoyed singing in the church choir and in Summer Harmony. While you could say music was his passion and calling, he enjoyed many hobbies such as circuses, full size and model trains, hot rod cars, elephants, photography, US National Parks, and coin and stamp collecting.
Donald is survived by his daughters, Wendy Wijesiri and Kristina Pishock, and their families. He will be greatly missed and dearly remembered.
A Calling Hour will occur Monday, June 26, 2023 at Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Rd. Allentown, PA 18106 from 10:00AM-11:00AM. A Memorial Service will begin at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent payable to the Allentown Band, Inc. Allentown Band 1914 W. Greenleaf Street Allentown, PA 18104-4010
Death of Sharon Yeakel
With sadness we note the death of Sharon Yeakel, wife of Barry. She was a fixture with LVGR for many, many years at the museum as well as all of the other displays we used to do. She was always great with the kids that visited, and always had snacks for us tired engineers.
Sharon C. Yeakel, 74, of South Whitehall Township, passed away on December 25, 2022 at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. She was the wife of Barry D. Yeakel and they celebrated 54 years of marriage. Born in Forty-Fort, PA, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Audrey (Thompson) Kehoe. Sharon was a dental assistant for Dr. William Bryan in Allentown.
Survivors: Husband, Barry; Brother, Richard Kehoe; Sister, Susan Kehoe.
Services: Private on December 30, 2022. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Allentown, www.BKRFH.com
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Animals in Distress, P.O. Box 609, Coopersburg, PA 18036
Back at AOW for 2022!
Join us for Holiday Fun!
LVGR at Apple Fest on October 1
For the first time in 3 years LVGR will be back at the Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society’s Pioneer Apple Fest at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli.
Their website: https://www.lynnheidelberg.org/
Or: https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/event/annual-pioneer-apple-fest/61817/
Two loops on the platform; one for live steam and the other for track/battery power.
We’ll run Saturday from 10am until 4:30pm.
Trains, antique cars, tractors and lots of food. What’s not to love?
Holiday Trains Roll into American on Wheels Museum on Nov 26th
Lehigh Valley Garden Railroaders finished our holiday train display today in preparation for the annual train extravaganza at America on Wheels in Allentown (They ARE OPEN during the Front and Linden Streets road closures due to construction. Just follow the sign through the cones to get to America On Wheels Museum parking lot.)
For returning fans, be prepared for an entirely new set up this year. THREE levels! Monster truck jam. CARS vehicles watching CARS movies at a Drive-In. Harry Potter fighting a dragon while his Ford Anglia teeters overhead in a tree. Batman. Ghostbusters. A school on fire. Plus so much more!
We join displays by HO & O Gauge modelers, as well as an appearance by Thomas! Be sure to see all four layouts, as you also admire cars, trucks, bikes and more in this unique museum.
America on Wheels Holiday Train Show - set up begins!
We’re back! Lehigh Valley Garden Railroaders will be back in the upstairs “Long Haul” room with another fantastic G Scale railroad display.
Set up is beginning November 10th, and all members and friends are welcome to help.
We are planning a special treat for the eye this year, so kids - bring your parents, your grandparents, and YES - even your brothers and sisters.
See the schedule below, or go to America on Wheels website.