As a child growing up next to the Main Line in Philadelphia, Henry G. Allyn Jr. would stand in his back yard and wave to the trains that passed by.

Decades later, that fascination with trains helped propel him up through the ranks of the railroad industry, including a 13-year stint as president of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad.

Mr. Allyn, who was called Hank by family and friends, died at his home in Sewickley Heights on Sunday. He was 86.

He joined the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1947, after graduating from Princeton University and serving five years in the Navy during World War II.

Working 14-hour days at some points, he rapidly escalated through various management positions.

Their favorite place was one year spent in Sewickley in 1963. While Mr. Allyn was a vice president of the New York Central railroad and the family was living in Greenwich, Conn., "all the time, I kept asking God, 'Why can't we go back to Pittsburgh?' and he finally answered me," said his wife.

From 1968 to the early 1980s, Mr. Allyn worked as president of the P&LE, supervising 2,700 people. During that time, he orchestrated the conversion of the railroad's Pittsburgh Terminal into the Station Square shopping complex.

He served on the boards of directors for several companies, including Duquesne Light, Allegheny General Hospital and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel.

Mr. Allyn was a member of the Duquesne Club, Allegheny Country Club and the Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, where his family will hold a memorial service in the spring.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, survivors include three children: Greg Allyn of Lancaster, Calif., Bonnie Allyn of Baldwin Lake, N.C., and John Allyn of Orr's Island, Maine; three siblings: Eleanor Marcy of Cape Cod, Mass., Margie Sammons of Orr's Island, Maine, and Bob Allyn of Yarmouth, Maine; and two granddaughters.

The family will receive visitors from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Copeland's Sewickley funeral home and Mr. Allyn will be buried in Maine, where his family vacationed.