Grand Central Terminal Holiday Trains

Sorry to see this. I always enjoyed the model train display and was interested to see how the professionals built a layout. I used to take the train to GCT quite often but Covid put a stop to that. The New York Transit Museum Store was the source of many of the books I bought about the New York Central, Long Island Rail Road and the New York City Subways.

MELGAR

I believe the plan was to have the layout ready for this year. But it's taken longer than expected to complete.

@NYC Fan posted:

I believe the plan was to have the layout ready for this year. But it's taken longer than expected to complete.

Thanks for the update, Skip.  BTW, loved your article/photos in the most recent OGR magazine.

Such a shame.  Thanks for letting us know Skip.  Are there any other train displays left in the City?

Bummer! Oh well maybe next year. Time to hit the model rr open houses!

Skip,

Do you know whether the upgrade is being done by TW Design, or is the Museum doing it?

The picture of the layout you posted as well as the great spread in the new OGR are inspiring. I think it was in 2008 that I saw the Transit Museum layout in person; I've got pictures somewhere, though I don't think they're digital. A good rainy-day project will be to organize all my train pictures, some digital and some actual photographs.

My fear is that it has more to do with the state of New York City these days, particularly security.

Not a holiday train show per se, but a tremendous model railroad layout nonetheless, in 1:32 scale: https://lsc.org/explore/exhibitions/great-train-set

BTW, Chuck (Alentown), not wanting to derail this thread, but at least for me, security in NYC is not an issue. Born and raised there, I lived, worked and went to college there through the 70's and 80's when crime was high, graffiti was rampant, and neighborhoods were abandoned. I survived both World Trade Center attacks. I still ride NY subways and buses with glee. I go back to NYC whenever I can, to visit the attractions or just to soak up the atmosphere. I'm a member of several NYC museums, and the NY Public Library. NY during the holidays is magical, and for me, any trip to NYC is a happy occasion.

Sorry for the love song to NYC. Back to our regularly scheduled thread. 😁

I live in Manhattan and I should tell you that it is completely safe here if you keep your wits about you. Put your wallet in your front pocket and walk like you have a purpose. On my subway ride home today I saw police at every station. Don’t live your life in fear that is no way to live. Honestly I feel like my life is more in danger by other drivers on the highway weaving and acting like they are playing Grand Theft Auto Video game all around my car.

A wonderful holiday toy train display is out on every year at the New York Historical Society. The NYHS is located across 77th street from the Natural History Museum along Central Park West. It is one of the blocks where they blow up the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloons. The display is focused on vintage and historic toys and trains and includes lots of Prewar and European models. The operating trains are modern I believe MTH reproductions. The display opens for the year on the 18th and runs through February.

Here is a link to a video I made of last years version of it. https://youtu.be/3WR8X1bjnQQ

I walked by the other day and they have already put up the signage for it. You can see some Bing, and BUB and Bassett Lowke things blown up to near human scale.

Video of last years display https://youtube.com/watch?v=3W...QQ&feature=share

The NYHS also has a fabulous collection of Tiffany lamps and a historical exhibit about the Tiffany Company in a beautiful gallery.

A word of caution: check the hours before you go, as I think they are closed around Thanksgiving.

The display at the Bronx Botanical garden is worth the trip.  Metro North from Grand Central Terminal drops you off within walking distance.  We went a couple of years ago before moving south.  Both wife and I enjoyed the display.

50% off full fare if 65 or older with I.D.

https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/

The really nice thing about the Grand Central exhibit is that it's free. Looking forward to its eventual return.

Numerous train clubs in the metro area also have holiday shows. One near me is the Union, NJ club: http://www.themodelrailroadclub.org/

Hi: just watched the video of the grand central display. Coming off the hellgate bridge there are some railings I guess you would call them. Does anybody know where they are from?

Just so that our out-of-town friends don't get lost, actually Metro North goes from Grand Central Terminal, not Penn Station, to the Bronx Botanical Garden.

Thx Arthur, corrected my post.

@Paul Kallus posted:

Skip,

Do you know whether the upgrade is being done by TW Design, or is the Museum doing it?

The picture of the layout you posted as well as the great spread in the new OGR are inspiring. I think it was in 2008 that I saw the Transit Museum layout in person; I've got pictures somewhere, though I don't think they're digital. A good rainy-day project will be to organize all my train pictures, some digital and some actual photographs.

Hi Paul,

The upgrade is being done by Bill Wander. He used to maintain the layout for TW, but my understanding is that TW turned the layout over to the museum and Billy is handling it for them.

@coach joe posted:

Such a shame.  Thanks for letting us know Skip.  Are there any other train displays left in the City?

I know Macy's Santa Land is opening this year after Santa arrives in the parade. Santa Land is a permanent fixture that is simply closed off 11 months of the year so I assume the layout will be running.