Model, Architect's
Object number2021.156.1 a,b
Datec. 1946
MediumWood; Paint; Adhesive
Credit LineGift of Robert J. Kluz II and Penny Russell
DescriptionArchitectural model. Square wooden base painted black on the sides. Tunnel building structure has low gray building in front and taller yellow building in the rear with gray roof. Gray building has two tunnels each with a two-lane leading into it. Front of yellow building has three pairs of long, vertical rectangular openings. Base has green painted ground in the front two corners and hills with fake green and brown vegetation rising up surrounding the tunnel structure buildings. Underside of model is unpainted brown wood.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a-b together): 10.5 x 18 x 18.063 in. (26.7 x 45.7 x 45.9 cm)Height x Width x Depth (a): 10.25 x 18 x 18.063 in. (26 x 45.7 x 45.9 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 0.875 x 7.625 x 1.5 in. (2.2 x 19.4 x 3.8 cm)
InscriptionsFront of gray tunnel building structure has black text in viewer's top right corner "SQUIRREL / HILL / TUNNEL".
Historical NotesArchitectural model of the Squirrel Hill tunnel. In 1985, donor Robert J. Kluz II was a freshman at Quaker Valley High School. His art teacher, Penny Russell, knew he was getting into model trains and thought he could use the model on his train layout. Her father was one of the architects on the Squirrel Hill Tunnel project and worked for PennDOT. He passed on the model of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel to Penny. The model ended up being too large for the scale of trains Kluz had but he always loved the piece and displayed it for years. After he moved to Ohio in 1994, the model was kept in storage at his parent’s house in Sewickley. It has been untouched and is in its original state since then. Penny’s support and encouragement inspired Robert to pursue his interest in model trains and he eventually turned that hobby into a business. Kluz now owns a Model Train Company call Ztrack. They produce a magazine, do wholesale distribution, retail sales, and resale. The company started as a small newsletter which turned into a magazine. They then moved into retail sales and wholesale distribution to retail hobby shops around the world. Kluz gives credit to Penny for this lasting interest in model trains, he actually bought his first model train set the summer of 1985. Penny retired from Quaker Valley in 1986 and Robert’s father replaced her as the art teacher. She passed away in 2014. The Squirrel Hill Tunnel construction began in 1946 and the tunnel opened in 1953.
Previous owner
Robert J. Kluz II
Previous owner
Penny Russell
(died 2014)
Related institution
Quaker Valley High School
Related institution
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Related institution
Ztrack
On View
Not on view
1968-2001
