Around campus, there is always talk about the lack of entertainment not only specifically at Rensselaer, but also in Troy and the Capital District. We at The Polytechnic strive to inform students of upcoming events hosted here and locally. There are, however, plenty of ways to spend some time on campus besides going to classes. For those skeptics in our reader base, consider taking a trip to the model railroad or the Hirsch Observatory.
We have a model railroad at RPI? Exactly. This news is even more shocking to the freshmen, since these train tracks are hidden in the Davison basement on Freshman Hill. This is where the 33-foot wide by 123-foot long layout is housed—and the model measures about 500 feet end-to-end. The fictitious New England, Berkshire and Western Railroad includes beautiful scenes from the Rutland Railroad in Vermont and the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, particularly from Troy to the other side of Lake Champlain. Some locations, though, were renamed or reoriented to fit the layout of the space or the surrounding towns on the track. The amount of care put into the details is astonishing, making this model a must-see at Rensselaer. More information can be found at http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/, including layout plans and opportunities to visit.
Another hidden gem on campus is the Hirsch Observatory. It isn’t really that hidden, per se, as this 16-foot dome is mounted on the roof of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center. Nonetheless, the vast majority of students on campus—aside from those studying physics or astronomy—have never taken the opportunity to visit the observatory. The 12-inch telescope and corresponding control system were recently due for some repairs. These were addressed by recent upgrades, which also made it possible to navigate the stars easily. Visitors can now designate a celestial object to view and the computer will automatically adjust the telescope to that position in the sky. Further details on the observatory and the refurbishment can be read in “Observatory modernized” on page one.
Aside from the model railroad and Hirsch Observatory, there are other points of interest around campus that students should take advantage of at least once during their stay at RPI. Keep an eye on upcoming lectures and events, read up on building histories, and you may learn something about Rensselaer that only a select few know. There is always something to do and learn when you go looking for it.
