Peters Township D.A.R.E. Railroad Club provides positive outlet
Members of the D.A.R.E. Railroad Club pictured last summer.
Dave Stanton
A close-up view of the D.A.R.E. Railroad Club’s model train display.
When it comes to popularity in Peters Township, David Stanton is considered a rock star among the local children.
Stanton, a Peters Township police officer, serves as the Peters Township School District’s D.A.R.E. program – Drug Abuse Resistance Education – point person, a position he has held for 25 years.
But, he is also known for his model trains, a passion he has had since he was a child and shares through his D.A.R.E. Railroad Club. Township youth meet every Thursday afternoon at the former Venetia Elementary School on Venetia Road and work on elaborate model train sets that take up three rooms in the former school.
“Twenty years, or so, ago, I had a kid in D.A.R.E. who was caught smoking,” said Stanton, explaining the genesis of the club. “I sat him down and asked him what he liked to do. He said he liked to build models.”
Since then, the club has grown through word of mouth. There are now 25 students – from elementary school to college – who come every week and spend three to four hours working on the trains. College kids work side by side with young children and there are never any problems, said Stanton, adding there are no age limits and everyone is welcome to come and go as they please.
“This is a positive alternative to negative behavior,” Stanton said.
Club members do a little bit of everything. Some of the older children will do the wiring so certain trains can run on certain tracks. Others will design the layout of the track, while others will paint scenery and landscape the displays. Everyone works together toward a common goal – a finished model railroad.
The club has no budget and works with donated supplies and train sets. The meeting space – and heat – is provided free of charge by the Venetia Heritage Society, which owns the former school.
“It is a great way to learn about engineering,” said 14-year-old Emma Bradley of McMurray, a club regular. “All of the members are so kind and helpful. They just want you to have fun. It is enjoyable for all ages and there are a variety of different projects to complete. They have so many supplies that you can do it all on your own, or help someone else.”
Bradley said she likes to clean the donated train sets and work on scenery.
“It’s fun to have a little project to take your mind off things,” she said. “I really enjoy painting buildings and adding layers to make it look realistic. So many people are generous enough to donate their old trains they no longer use.”
“It is a club with no pressure,” said Kathy Bradley, Emma’s mother. “It gives them a safe place to go.”
Township residents and model train enthusiasts Bryan Seip, a television director, and Scott Schnabel, a retired contractor, help Stanton with the club. They say it is their excuse to play with trains.
“They (the volunteers) have been fabulous,” Stanton said. “People have been coming and we’re expanding.”
Club members are currently working in a display of the former Montour Railroad, which served a number of former coal mines in Southwestern Pennsylvania more than half a century ago, mostly in Allegheny and Washington counties. Much of the former railroad is now comprises the Montour Trail.
“The kids are doing the research, design, the carpentry work and laying track,” Stanton said. “I tell the kids it is okay to make mistakes. They can be as whimsical as they want.”
Stanton has taken club members in various field trips to see model train sets. They have also participated in the Carnegie Science Center’s Locomotion Weekend, an annual display of model trains.
Stanton, the father of four grown children, said he likes the interaction with club members and has no plans to make any changes with the group.
“We have a lot of kids who don’t fit into other clubs,” he said. “There is a social aspect. These kids are safe here.”
And, there is the satisfaction he gets.
“A parent came up to me once and said I changed her kid’s life,” Stanton said. “That is very gratifying. What more can you ask?”