Pick the next model building for the Miniature Railroad at Carnegie Science Center

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times
·2 min read

PITTSBURGH ― Visitors can vote on the next 2024 Miniature Railroad & Village model added to the Carnegie Science Center.

Visitors can choose from three model options: The Rodef Shalom Synagogue, the National Opera House and Chinatown Inn.

The three candidates for the next model at the Miniature Railroad & Village at Carnegie Science Center.
The three candidates for the next model at the Miniature Railroad & Village at Carnegie Science Center.

Voting takes place at a kiosk at the Miniature Railroad and runs now through Locomotion Weekend on Jan. 13-14.

Last year, visitors chose the Allegheny County Airport which will be placed in the Miniature Railroad on Oct. 7.

“It is important to us to choose options that represent Pittsburgh’s diverse history," Miniature Railroad & Village manager Nikki Wilhelm said in a press release. "Southwestern Pennsylvania is usually recognized for its rich industrial history, and while that is interesting and important, we believe the area’s social history connects well with the community. Our visitors engage more when they see themselves in our stories, and that makes the Miniature Railroad fun for everyone.”

Visitors are encouraged to read through the historic backgrounds of each candidate found on the kiosk and to cast their vote for the organization that resonates most with them. Voting is onsite only.

Rodef Shalom Synagogue opened in Shadyside in 1907 and is home to the oldest Jewish congregation in western Pennsylvania and the first to join the Reform movement in the area.

National Opera House opened in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood in 1894 and was once the home of the National Negro Opera Co. based in Pittsburgh.

Chinatown Inn opened in downtown Pittsburgh in 1922 and is the last surviving business from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

The Miniature Railroad and Village depicts buildings and events taking place before 1940 that impacted the history of the western Pennsylvania region. Miniature Railroad & Village is included with general admission to Carnegie Science Center.

Visit CarnegieScienceCeneter.org to learn more and purchase tickets.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times. Reach him at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pick the next Miniature Railroad model for the Carnegie Science Center