by Otto M. Vondrak/photos as noted
Some of you may know James “Murr” Murray from his work on eleven successful seasons of Impractical Jokers on TV, his thriller novels, or his stand-up comedy acts. Now he’s the newest member of the Pacific Southern Railway Club in Rocky Hill, N.J. — after James and his wife Melyssa recently purchased the home where the expansive 5,000 sq. ft. model railroad is located.
The Pacific Southern Railway Club can trace its roots back to the 1960s, when Bob and Anne Latham began building a modest HO scale model railroad and, with the help of some local modelers, began hosting annual open houses to benefit the local fire department and ambulance corps. Over the years, the layout continued to grow, and featured hand-laid track, working wayside signals, and a theatrical lighting system to simulate night and day.
ABOVE: A scene from the HO scale Pacific Southern Railway. —Courtesy
In 1988, Geoff Greene, one of the founding members, purchased the home after Bob Latham’s passing, and embarked on an ambitious expansion project. A new 30×45’ addition to the basement nearly doubled the railroad’s size. Carl and Anne Pate purchased the home in 2016, and helped the club return to hosting public open houses after a brief period of upgrades and remodeling. When Carl passed away in 2024, the future of the nonprofit model railroad club was uncertain.
When newspapers began running stories about the home being put up for sale and the model railroad club facing the possibility of demolition, it caught the attention of James Murray, who lives with his wife Melyssa in nearby Princeton. Their existing home was starting to become crowded as the office for James’ various productions, Melyssa’s growing candle company, and also their charity activities supporting the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
ABOVE: Editor Otto Vondrak sitting down with comedian James Murray for a serious talk about trains. —Otto M. Vondrak photo
James was kind enough to take some time to chat with me about his interest in trains and helping secure the club’s future. “I’ve always been obsessed with trains,” James said, “I helped my dad build a huge Lionel layout in our basement when I was growing up, and we had a pretty large setup.” That early interest in trains crossed over into other aspects of his career, including a trilogy of horror novels that take place in the tunnels of the New York City Subway. “I support creativity in many forms, and the effort the members have put into the Pacific Southern is just overwhelming.” When he learned about the club’s possible peril due to the sale of the home, he knew he had to act. “I never wanted the club to have to worry about their future ever again.”
The Murrays don’t plan to live in the Rocky Hill home, but it will be the new base for Melyssa’s growing candle company. Beyond that, James has big plans for the club. He helped create a new logo and launched a new website for the club, and introduced virtual memberships so modelers around the country — and around the world — can support the Pacific Southern. They’re looking forward to bringing back the public open houses and raising funds for local emergency services — the first event is planned for November 22 and 23. “I’m finally unpacking all my old Lionel O-27 trains and I’m going to build a layout in the garage!” A new entrance to the train club will include a lounge styled after an old passenger car. More of the surrounding property around the home will be open to visitors as well. Needless to say, the 30-plus active members are excited about the new direction for the club.
I reminded James that it had been more than 50 years since RMC featured the Pacific Southern, and that we were overdue for a return visit! In the meantime, you can lean more about the club by visiting their website at pacificsouthern.org.
