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WEST CHESTER TWP. — The crowd counted down from five and shouted "all aboard!"

With the accompaniment of a train horn's blast and the clanging of the bell from a late-1930s era locomotive, local officials, volunteers and children crowded Thursday, July 31, through the main gates at EnterTRAINment Junction to get their first view of the world's largest indoor model railroad layout.

EnterTRAINment Junction public relations manager Bill Mefford said the 25,000-square-foot Train Experience, the centerpiece of the facility at 7379 Squire Court, includes two full-scale miles of 1/24 scale track and took more than 50,000 hours of volunteer time to build. The $10 million facility also features a railroad history museum, conference rooms, a children's play area and a seasonally themed fun house.

"It's pretty amazing," said volunteer coordinator Larry Koehl as parents lifted their children up to see the miniature scenes. "I have to pinch myself that it's come into being."

Koehl and president Don Oeters were quick to point out only the first phase of the layout is complete.

Buildings in the miniature cities are set to be replaced with more detailed versions.

Animation and sound features are scheduled for installation and the automated train controls are being prepared to run up to 90 trains and trolleys on the tracks.

But Thursday, children and adults pressed their faces close to the layout's Plexiglass border, peeking through trestles and behind foothills to pick out tiny details, and watching the many tunnels quietly for lights indicating another train was on its way.