By Lea Florentine | Posted December 9, 2025
At the December Rocky Hill Borough Council meeting, Rocky Hill’s Pacific Southern (PS) Model Railroad Club presented the borough’s Fire Department and Rescue Squad with checks for $3,500.
James Murray, the “Impractical Jokers” comedian who bought the Washington Street railroad house, and PS Club President Jeff Bernardis presented the checks at last night's meeting. These donations were the largest ever raised by the club, thanks to their sold out train shows last month.
At the meeting, Rocky Hill Mayor Bob Uhrik said, “James, you’ve saved a valuable jewel in this town. We’re honored that this community has this railroad.”
James Murray, the “Impractical Jokers” comedian and owner of the Rocky Hill Railroad House on Washington Street, home to the Pacific Southern (PS) Model Railroad Club
Photo by Barbara A. Preston
From left: Rocky Hill Fire Department Treasurer Richard Batchelder, President Rick Miller; and Chief Todd Harris; Pacific Southern (PS) Railroad owner James Murray; PS President Jeff Bernardis; and Rocky Hill Rescue Squad Treasurer Marjorie Yuschak.
Photo by Lea Florentine.
President Bernardis talked about the “many scenarios” that could have happened for the club, including dissolution. Referring to the club’s recent appearance at a train show in Milwaukee, Wis. last month; and to upcoming shows at Amherst, Mass., in January and then in Chattanooga, TN, in July, Bernardis said — Murray has “taken us into another dimension; he’s taken us onto the national stage.”
Nearly 1,500 people attended the PS shows in Rocky Hill, held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Every show was sold out two days before the event. Bernardis added, “Everybody got in,” including those who showed up without tickets. They were allowed to buy tickets at the event and get in.
During the shows, the Lionel train set that Murray had set up and run with his father was on display in a tent behind the house, and he was one of many people wearing an engineer’s hat made by a balloon artist at the tent.
Princeton residents Murr and Melyssa Murray in the Rocky Hill railroad house with members of The Pacific Southern Model Railroad Club.
Photo courtesy of James Murray.
Murr and his wife Melyssa were at the open house in November to greet attendees at a tent on the front lawn. Attendees were able to sign up to become members of the club and purchase Melyssa’s No. 95 candles. Proceeds from the annual event were donated to Rocky Hill EMS squad and the fire company.
Rocky Hill Borough Council Member Catherine Plunkett in front of the club's new neon sign. She is also a member of the Pacific Southern (PS) Model Railroad Club.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston
There was also a food truck on the lawn and the backyard, along with model trains, skee ball, and tabletop basketball games for the kids. A neon sign with the club's logo, which Murray ordered, was displayed on the wall in the garage.
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At the borough council meeting, Rocky Hill Fire Department was represented by Chief Todd Harris, President Rick Miller, and Treasurer Richard Batchelder. RH Rescue Squad, which provided lunch for the
PS members during the shows, was represented by Treasurer Marjorie Yuschak.
The Rocky Hill Fire Company regularly directs traffic on Washington Street (Route 518) during the shows.
On account of its overwhelming success, the Pacific Southern Model Railroad Club plans to add spring shows beginning in 2026.
Murray says, “We’ll open up the whole property, and have vendors all over the yard.”
Bernardis added, “I’m very proud of what we’ve put on. We’re only going to get better.”
