annually => November – February
Choo! Choo! Trains everywhere!
Like trains? Well, if you coming to New York City during the Winter Holidays you can enjoy Vintage Train rides and a host of miniature train shows like the annual Train Show presented by the New York Transit Museum at Grand Central Station in the Museum Gallery, Annex and Store.
Although New York City Subways was not the first laid down, it is very popular among its citizens both young and old and tourist from all around the world.
It is after all the fastest and cheapest mode of transportation between boroughs for more than a million people daily with a history both fascinating, thrilling and experiences that are unique!
The New York Transit Museum does a great job of keeping the history alive with seasonal train rides using train cars from as early as the 70’s but one of the greatest thrills is their miniature annual presentation of the model railroad exhibition featuring the Metro-North, New York Central, and subway trains departing from a miniature Grand Central Terminal on a 34’-long, two-level “O” gauge layout and Lionel trains traveling through a two-level, 34-foot-long miniature New York City and countryside scene. Vintage trains from the museum’s collection, including New York Central models, travel all the way to the diorama’s North Pole.
The Museum’s store also offers great gifts for your holiday shopping where you can recreate your own miniature world with trains or buy a train monopoly game or shop online from the comfort of your home.
The exhibition is free, so if you are a big child or have children take their imagination to a place found to be therapeutic for all, especially those who are autistic or ADHD. There is an inner peace awaiting you amidst the Husserl and bustle of the Metro.
This year’s Holiday Train Show display will feature a 34-foot-long “O gauge” model train layout with Lionel’s model Metro-North, New York Central, and vintage subway trains running on eight separate loops of track, against a backdrop featuring graphics celebrating the Museum’s 40th anniversary by artist Julia Rothman. Vintage “O gauge” and “N gauge” model trains and a selection of Transit Museum Collection ½” scale trolley models made by Dr. George Rahilly will also be on view.
