HAMBURG, Pa. — This isn’t your average LEGO set. It’s one of 50 miniature trains here at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg, and just a small part of a large display complete with local landmarks and locomotives that visitors from Berks County will recognize.
“It’s most definitely a passion project,” said Zachary Kauffman.
For five years, Kauffman has been building a tribute to the city of Reading, and the Reading Railroad. “So like this is Franklin Street here, that’s the Abe Lincoln.”
Some pieces, like the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, take over a year to build and use thousands of pieces — “tens of thousands, probably,” Kauffman said.
Kauffman has been building with LEGO bricks since he was little and has always loved trains.
“Growing up in the Reading area, you see the trains going by the tracks, you hear the stories about the Reading Company.”
Eventually that love blended with his interest in trains, and his miniature was born.
“I decided to reach out to the museum once this was underway and it’s just kept growing from there nonstop,” said Kauffman.
In addition to preserving local railroad history, the project is helping Kauffman earn his honors certification as he works toward a career in civil engineering.
James Adams with the museum says he’s proud to have watched the miniature grow. “We here at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum are very fortunate to have the opportunity to display this,” Adams said.
The museum’s display also showcases every single steam locomotive set ever made. “Seeing the guests come in, especially the children interacting with it, it’s really amazing,” Kauffman said.
The miniature will be on display at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum on July 25–26 and Aug. 1–2.