Carlynton student displays model trains at Carnegie historical society

Jacob Kaltz smiles as a small train chugs through the heart of Carnegie.

The train display, set up in the center of Miniature Main Street — a small replica created to look like the town in the 1940s and ’50s — brings added charm to the Historical Society of Carnegie during the holiday season.

This is the third year Jacob, 12, a seventh-grader in the Carlynton School District, has set up the display in hopes of bringing cheer to the community.

“I get joy that I’m doing something positive for the community,” he said. “I get really happy when they see my train. I like making people smile.”

Jacob, of Crafton, a self-proclaimed history buff, was drawn to the historical society on West Main Street three years ago out of “general curiosity.”

“I’ve always been in love with model trains and certain models, and when I came in here for the first time, I was like, ‘Wow!’ ” he said.

He was taken aback by the miniature town created by Walter Stasic over the course of 10 years in celebration of Carnegie’s 100th anniversary.

“This took so much time and effort that there should be more people coming here on a daily basis,” he said.

With a love for trains — big and small — and history combined, Jacob decided to start volunteering at the historical society.

He studied the history of trains in the Ohio Valley, and even has his own file on trains located at the historical society.

Several years ago, at just 7 years old, Jacob also started collecting miniature HO scale trains.

He found scenery for his displays at garage sales and train conventions, although the parts often were broken and he had to make the repairs to the town pieces himself.

“Hot glue is my friend here,” he said with a laugh.

Jacob is drawn to trains because he’s interested in motors and how things work.

His interest in history ties into his belief that “the past can help you to not make the same mistakes in the future.”

While Jacob tries to stop by the Historical Society of Carnegie weekly to do maintenance on Miniature Main Street, like fixing or hanging lights, he started bringing his trains to set up for the holidays at the society three years ago.

“I really couldn’t be happier about it,” he said of having the opportunity.

It takes about five hours, between planning and setup, to get the train up and running as part of the display.

The train is a great addition to Miniature Main Street, said Jeff Keenan, historical society secretary.

“It brings, for a lot of folks, the nostalgia of this time of year, the sense of home, the sense of community that trains represented in those times,” he said. “It’s just that little extra element.”

Throughout the year, Keenan, who also serves as mayor of Miniature Main Street, said Jacob is a “key volunteer” at the historical society. He brings an upbeat personality and tells jokes to visitors that always get a good laugh. He even coordinates the wiffle ball tournament at Open Streets Carnegie for the historical society.

“He represents a new generation of volunteers,” Keenan said. “Jacob brings an enthusiasm and a great sense of humor.”

Ken Kwasniewski, Jacob’s grandfather, said he’s not surprised his grandson accomplished something like this.

“It shows real character, and he’s a character in many ways,” he said. “He’s very involved, very caring.”

Throughout the year, Jacob always is spreading the word about the historical society’s existence. He wants to make sure his classmates at Carlynton know that the society is a treasure in the community.

While he still loves trains, as he gets older, Jacob now is more devoted to science.

“I’m a big science dude,” he said. “I love science because with science you can explain a lot.”

He’s even teaching himself to weld.

He hopes to someday have a career teaching science.

The Historical Society of Carnegie is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The train display likely will be up through mid-January.