[image]
[title]Every December, long lines form throughout Grand Central Terminal. No, they’re not lines for the Metro North or the subway. Instead, these lines are to see miniature trains on the beloved model railroad presented by the New York Transit Museum.
The museum’s annual Holiday Train Show features a 34-foot-long display festooned with tiny versions of city landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Lionel model trains depart from a miniature replica of Grand Central, then chug along over the East River and through the woods to reach their final destination, the North Pole. A tradition for 21 years, it’s one of the few free holiday events in the city—and it’s a magical sight to see.
Regina Shepherd, the museum’s acting director, is one of the people who make this moment of joy possible for New Yorkers. We sat down with her inside Grand Central to learn more about the display and what new surprises await this year. Go see it from November 13 through February.
For someone who hasn’t seen the show, what is it?
It’s a winter in New York scene where you can get transported from Grand Central up to the North Pole. There’s everything from the subway lines that run underneath the city to little stores on top. It includes the commuter railroads in New York, going from city to country.
What makes the Holiday Train Show so special even after 21 years?
Model trains are just magical ways to see the city. Our train show, being a miniature New York that will take you all the way to the North Pole, is an exciting way to get into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re two and get to look at it from the magic of being a two-year-old to an 80-year-old, it’s a way for everyone to get into the spirit.
The train comes and [kids] just start jumping. That kind of excitement is contagious.
What’s the history of the display?
It was started in partnership with Lionel as a model train display. There were many train shows throughout the city—something that was really a big piece of the holiday that has kind of gone away. I think we’re one of the last free ones of its kind. Today, it’s the same basic model and Lionel’s O-guage trains.
Has it changed over the years?
There’s the same basic structure, but we make some changes and upgrades each year. One of the newer buildings we added was the Chrysler Building a few years ago. Our dream was to get gargoyles on it, so we added the gargoyles to it. A few years ago, we also added CBGB’s, and we added the Ramones standing outside. There are a few very detailed nods to New York.
What do you see on people's faces as people see the display?
There are some people who come every week, you can see them on a weekly or a daily basis as part of their commute. There are two-to-three-year-olds with their face pressed to the glass, and the train comes and they just start jumping. That kind of excitement is contagious. Then we’ll get people who have been coming for the whole 20 years, and they’ll notice the changes. When they can—or when it takes them a minute—I’m proud of both.
What are your personal favorite parts of the display?
There’s a little model train within the model train display. You have to be at kid-height to see it. It’s kind of hidden, so most adults haven't seen that. It’s this secret treat for kids who are shorter to have. And it’s inside a little store. Grand Central is also a favorite. There’s something for everyone.
Tell me about the setup process.
We have a team from the museum who boxes up the model, so it gets set up in advance and tested and has maintenance done off-site. Then it gets all packed up in crates, and in one night, gets moved over here and unloaded. Since it’s such a small space, the crates get loaded out very fast—in and out.
It’s only three people who put together the model and maintain it. One of the guys is in his 70s and has been playing with Lionel trains forver, so he has the magic touch.
What was your role this year?
Fortunately, on this one, I get to be big picture. I got to look at it from a big picture role of what we could celebrate this year. This year, we’re partnering with MTA Arts and Design for their 40th anniversary, so we are featuring two of their poster artists as the backdrop for the model.
Do you have any tips for seeing the display?
For New Yorkers who don’t want to brave the lines, come see the display in January after the holiday crowds.
What else is the Transit Museum doing for the holidays?
Not only do we have the miniature train in Grand Central, but we’re running our holiday nostalgia rides on vintage trains [keep an eye here for details]. In the shop, we also are featuring a Metro Card–themed holiday sweater and ornament, new snow globes and a color-changing mug with the Grand Central ceiling.