They don’t wear pointed hats or curly-toed shoes, but volunteers from the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society are elves just the same. Members of the Crawford County-based organization have spent days setting up model trains in Meadville’s Downtown Mall in preparation for a special appearance by Santa Claus today.

And while the jolly old red-suited one is sure to be making his list and checking it twice, his appearance signifies the rekindling of a tradition of the past.

“We’re brining back an annual event that was, unfortunately, lost over the years,” said Dennis Mead, president of the society. “Once again Santa will be coming back to Meadville by train.”

Mead, who is approaching retirement age, said today’s event is significant for multiple reasons.

“Meadville was literally built by the railroads,” he said. “At one point in time, the city had a sizable population of railroad-related employment.”

Mead said the railroads are what “built the town.” And in turn, the nonprofit organization is commemorating many of the area businesses with miniature building recreations. Mead said their newest addition in the train village is the Dad’s Products Co. plant, the local manufacturer of a variety of pet foods.

“We’re going to continue to add more businesses in the future,” he said. “Railroads brought commerce to the community and allowed them to transport their products to other larger marketplaces along Lake Erie, Pittsburgh and into Ohio.”

Mead hopes to disprove many people’s assumption that trains are just a mode of transportation from past eras, and pointed out that there are still many functioning railroads in Pennsylvania.

“The railroad industry is still active in the area — just look at General Electric in Erie. They’re still manufacturing them,” he said.

Model trains are still popular with kids of all sizes. Mead invites the public to watch Santa arrive on the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) at about 11 a.m. at the railroad crossing on Mead Avenue. There he will be met by members of Meadville Central Fire Department who will give him a lift to the Downtown Mall aboard their shiny red firetruck. Once he arrives there, he will officially be the first to light up the model train display before he is seated in the rotunda, located in the center of the building. Dressed in his season’s best, the little tots will be able to climb up on his lap for a little one-on-one dialogue and recap their year. During their naughty-or-nice discussion, parents and guardians can snap pictures for posterity’s sake.

Mead said members of the Railroad Historical Society are hopeful that today’s event will encourage area residents to learn more about the railroad industry and the organization that continues to keep a significant part of the city’s past alive.

Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.

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