Two floors of model railroads can be viewed at the “Railroad Days” events hosted by the Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers at their headquarters at 900 E. Macada Road, Bethlehem.
“Trains is a disease. It is not fatal but there is no cure for it,” quips George Parsons as he stands by the club’s antique trolley fare box. While he has been a BDSME for five years, Parsons has also belonged to a live steam model train club for 40 years. The Northampton Township resident was infected when his dad gave him a model railroad set when he was four years old.
Founded in March 1965, BDSME has operated out of various locations in Bethlehem, Hellertown and Easton throughout its 60-year history. One of their Easton club buildings burned down in 1973, destroying all but a locomotive bell and the club’s antique trolley fare box…