Province shuts down model train open house

Province community manager Shelley Reith has put the kibosh on an open house to view a model train layout in a residence in the gated community.

“I have discussed this with the advisory committee and they unanimously agreed that we will not permit the general public access to the community, nor will anyone from the general public be permitted to call and be put on a ‘guest’ list,” she wrote in an email to model train enthusiast and Province resident Herman Neuberger.

Neuberger was featured in InMaricopa News and on InMaricopa.com for the extensive Short Line Model train layout he has built over the past 20 years. 

His layout was one of six being shown in open houses throughout the metro area on Saturday hosted by the Short Line Model Railroad Club.

“All I wanted to do was share with the community this wonderful experience,” Neuberger said.

On Friday, Reith said Neuberger never checked with the Province homeowner’s association first and the community “never allows residents to invite the public carte blanche” to a home.

Neuberger agreed he didn’t check with the HOA or Reith when the club initially arranged for the open houses, but later asked Reith if he could have people make reservations with him so he could leave names at the gate.