With a whopping 25,193 votes, Andrew Bayne Memorial Library has officially won the 2026 Miniature Railroad & Village® model competition at the Carnegie Science Center! This means that in fall 2026, a miniature version of our beloved Bellevue library will join the ranks of Pittsburgh’s most iconic landmarks—including Fallingwater, Forbes Field, and Kaufmann’s—on display in one of the city’s most treasured exhibits.
The Miniature Railroad & Village® has been enchanting visitors since its days at the Buhl Planetarium in the 1950s. Today, it’s a permanent, nostalgic fixture at the Science Center, featuring intricately handcrafted scenes of Western Pennsylvania life before 1940. Each year, a new model is added through a public vote, and this year, Bellevue rallied hard to ensure that Bayne Library was the one.
Bayne took an early lead, but as the competition heated up, many noticed a puzzling trend: Bayne’s percentage of the vote began to drop, even as the total number of votes increased. The reason? Simple math. While Bayne gained hundreds—and at times thousands—of votes, other entries were gaining faster. It became a lesson in momentum and a reminder that every single vote counts.
People from across the region and beyond took part in the effort.
“My daughter moved her family to Pittsburgh last summer,” shared Joe Cannata. “When my National Institute for Social Media board mate RJ Thompson told us about the competition, I felt compelled to vote. I was intrigued by the Bayne Library and thought that would be the ideal building to include. I participated in daily voting and was thrilled to see it come out on top.”
At the heart of it all was a shared love for community.
“It was amazing to watch everyone rally together to support the library,” said Emily Matisse, a studio arts student at the University of Pittsburgh. “The whole experience felt like a big community-building event.”
That sentiment was echoed by Karen St. Esprit, who summed up what many in Bellevue were feeling:
“Bellevue Forward is so excited and proud! Bayne is truly the greatest library, with an incredible staff. Erin does a fabulous job—this recognition is so well deserved!”
Bellevue Forward, the nonprofit behind the community campaign, shared in the joy:
“We are so honored. The Miniature Railroad & Village® is absolutely epic—a true Pittsburgh institution. You haven’t truly experienced this city until you’ve seen the display in person. To know that our very own Andrew Bayne Memorial Library will now be part of that legacy is both humbling and thrilling. Thank you to everyone who voted, shared, and supported our community. This is a win for Bellevue, for libraries, and for all who believe in the power of small places making a big impact.”
This victory was about more than a model—it was about the people who made it happen. Congratulations to Bayne Library, and thank you, Bellevue, for proving once again that when we come together, big things happen—even in miniature. 🚂📚💛