Wynn Calland LOVES Pittsburgh and its sports teams, the Navy, and O/HO-scale model trains! This video is first and foremost a warmhearted tribute to his Dad, who gave his awe-struck young son his first O-scale model train set for Christmas in 1958. It was his only gift under the tree. To Wynn’s surprise, when he opened the huge box, he discovered in all its glory, a powerful, blue U.S. Navy diesel edition O-scale train set, that is now very rare. This amazing model diesel train launched his lifelong love affair with the U.S. Navy and eventually Pittsburgh sports!
Wynn grew up in Pittsburgh after second grade. He loved playing all sports. As a high school senior, he was the starting offensive tackle on the powerful 1970-1971 W.P.I.A.L. Championship Football Team. He attended countless professional hockey, baseball, football, and wrestling events with his Dad, brother, and friends growing up.
Many years ago, after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, chiefly as a Fleet Meteorologist and Oceanographer, Wynn retired from the military. His second career was working as a corporate executive in various industrial manufacturing sectors. A couple of years ago, he retired a second time.
After a lifetime of successful financial planning and investing his hard-earned income, Wynn now had the personal freedom to pursue his lifelong dream of creating a model scene of the Three Rivers area in downtown Pittsburgh featuring his three different model trains.
His goal was to honor Pittsburgh citizens and its sports teams over the last 60 years. He wanted to focus on his beloved Pittsburgh professional sports teams.
Wynn’s historical masterpiece includes Mt. Washington, the Duquesne Incline, Point State Park, Heinz Field and PNC Park, the three famous rivers, and a “magical” Steeler Village. He included lots of memorabilia from the Penguin’s Stanley Cups, Pirate’s World Series, and Steeler’s Superbowls.
The entire model display showcases the Pittsburgh-related gifts given to him by his family and friends over his lifetime. Each item was cherished and saved for this special project.
This was Wynn’s first-ever attempt to build a train layout. Believe it or not, this amazing project began with just a few hand-scribbled notes and a line drawing!
As a disclaimer, Wynn wants everyone to know he is not and does not claim to be a professional modeler. His potentially naive “try it and see” construction approach eventually generated this unique and fun layout.
This project required a lot of trial and error. Creating the unique, different sized tracks and scenic routes for the three trains was challenging. The degree of precision required was excruciating, especially the tracks inside the trestle bridges.
Included in his display are his U.S. Navy O-scale diesel engine with most of the original train cars, a working steam engine complete with a bunch of “graffiti” cars, and a HO-scale train that showcases cars with Steeler and Penguin colors and insignia. These three fully operational multi-scale trains are combined in a very rare and singularly clever arrangement.
In this video, Wynn takes you on an unforgettable journey back to his childhood growing up in Pittsburgh. He shares humorous and interesting histories behind various pieces of his layout and model train sets by adding one-of-a-kind childhood memories.
You will discover his special connection to baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski. You will experience how he felt watching Roberto Clemente throw out baserunners in Forbes Field, and other players like Stargell, Clendenon and Hebner. He also shares the story of how his oldest son constructed a replica of Heinz Field out of Lego pieces. It includes working lights, windsocks on the goal posts, and the infamous scoreboard, complete with ketchup bottles!
Wynn said, “I made this display as a tribute to my Dad, and for the numerous Pittsburgh sports fans who love their city!”
“What a way to relive your childhood memories! Who doesn’t LOVE model trains?”
“Even though I traveled the world in the Navy and throughout my business career, I was awed by vast numbers of people who fearlessly wore the ‘Black and Gold’ colors of the Pittsburgh sports teams.”
“Growing up in Pittsburgh was so unique. Where else do the three major sports teams wear the same colors! How convenient was that for coordinating the display presentation! There is no better city than Pittsburgh to honor with a unique train set.”
“Even though I traveled the world in the Navy and throughout my business career, I was awed by vast numbers of people who fearlessly wore the ‘Black and Gold’ colors of the Pittsburgh sports teams.”
“Growing up in Pittsburgh was so unique. Where else do the three major sports teams wear the same colors! How convenient was that for coordinating the display presentation! There is no better city than Pittsburgh to honor with a unique train set?”
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