Great article Andy. Thanks for posting. Many of our Christmas traditions have German origins so why not the trains around the tree tradition. I always through that houses and villages may have started after the train tradition but it makes sense that the manger scenes preceeded village scenes.

Nice.  Thanks for catching that and posting it for us.

All the years of visiting SE Pa., York, Strasburg, Etc., and the Strasburg RR runs to Paradise, Pa. , and I don't remember seeing a flyer on this or hearing about it....

all I remember in Paradise, Pa. is an old Pa. RR brick freight house.

Thanks for posting Andy!

 

--Greg

 

I vaguely remember people mentioning the National Christmas Center before, but Christmas is usually not  on my mind much when I am in that area, so I tend to forget about it.  Will have to try and make it there some time.

 

Andy

I first heard of it while attending a Department 56 event in Lancaster and this was in 2000. Me and my wife visited it and found it to be interesting with a lot facts and displays on Christmas. At that time it seemed to me to be it was still a work in progress at that time and it maybe larger now. Also I do not recall many trains on display or operating then.

 

I've been to the National Christmas Center at least 6 times. Jim Morrison not only runs it, he is a TCA member and always has a booth at York. I try to go off-season, as it is a "zoo" this time of year. It has been featured on the History Channel, HGTV, and the Martha Stewart Show.

Thanks, now my wife will NEVER visit Pennsylvania!

Thank you, Andy Hummell, for the information and those links.

 

You certainly must be applauded for having an admirable attitude when participating on a forum. You have established a consistently positive presence, one characterized by giving and sharing, in contrast to the voices that appear to feel absolutely obligated to carp and "contribute" negatively or condescendingly to others; no matter how humble the accomplishment, they feel obligated to be cynical and demeaning toward the other guy. You, on the other hand, are the posiitve kind of acquaintance or friend who adds enjoyment to life. Thank you for that, too.

Frank M.

Thank you for the kind words Frank! 

 

Andy