Youngwood railroad museum gets early jump on Lenten fish fry season

Ray Alincic never thought he’d run a fish fry, let alone one that starts three weeks before the Lenten — and unofficial Western Pennsylvania fish fry — season kicks off.

As manager of Station Cafe and board member of the Youngwood Historical and Railroad Museum for 14 years, Alincic is working to raise money to keep the museum running.

“I think people will be ready for fish,” he said.

Starting Friday, the museum kicks off its eighth year of serving fish, homemade potato chips, pierogies and haluski. This year, the volunteer-run operation will offer pork, roast beef, sausage, chicken and hand-dipped ice cream.

Drawing people into Youngwood from Monroeville and Greensburg, the early start helps Alincic beat churches and fire halls to the game, giving him a small advantage.

“We always start two weeks early,” he said. “This year, Lent comes in a little bit later. We’re hopeful. We don’t have the advantage the fire halls have.”

But at least one local fire department has caught on, offering two pre-Lenten fish fries between January and February. The Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department is offering its second event from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Alincic, with the help of his wife, Pat, started the fish fry in 2011, which was the year Holy Ascension Serbian Church stopped hosting its annual fish fry, he said.

“It was unbelievable,” Alincic said. “It worked out pretty good.”

Built in 1902, the passenger and baggage station is located at 1 Depot St. Tours of the station show artifacts and information related to the Youngwood community and railroad that was built along the former Southwest Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Each year, several hundred kids and families are drawn to the train station for the Christmas Train Display. The museum also holds a Toys for Tots collection around the holidays.

This year’s fish fry lasts through April 19.

“We encourage everybody to support us,” Alincic said.

Megan Tomasic is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1203, mtomasic@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MeganTomasic.