Skip to main content

I did not see anyone post pics of the National Tree layouts and Botanical Gardens.  These are the highlight of Christmas for fun events to visit.  

 

The botanical gardens this year did not have as many trains going.  However, there was a natural bodied trolley car this year.  Theme was worlds fair venues.  They do this event every year at Christmas.  It is really neat with all the buildings made out of natural materials.

 

The National Tree on the White House Ellipse was good.  The layouts added more details and venues to look at this year.  This is also fun.  In case you are a Christian, they still put out a Nativity, even has a baby Jesus!  No PC police here.  We take pictures in front of it every year and hope that it continues without fail.

 

These are all phone camera pics, so they are not the best.

 

 

 

2013-12-26 14.20.33

2013-12-26 14.21.18

2013-12-26 14.23.06

2013-12-26 14.29.10

2013-12-26 14.29.12

2013-12-26 14.29.46

2013-12-26 14.31.44

2013-12-26 14.31.49

2013-12-26 17.08.21

2013-12-26 17.08.31

2013-12-26 17.09.02

2013-12-26 17.13.07

2013-12-26 17.13.26

2013-12-26 17.24.38

2013-12-26 17.27.25

Attachments

Images (15)
  • 2013-12-26 14.20.33
  • 2013-12-26 14.21.18
  • 2013-12-26 14.23.06
  • 2013-12-26 14.29.10
  • 2013-12-26 14.29.12
  • 2013-12-26 14.29.46
  • 2013-12-26 14.31.44
  • 2013-12-26 14.31.49
  • 2013-12-26 17.08.21
  • 2013-12-26 17.08.31: If you look closely, you can see the Military Parade
  • 2013-12-26 17.09.02
  • 2013-12-26 17.13.07
  • 2013-12-26 17.13.26
  • 2013-12-26 17.24.38: This is this Point of Rocks, MD train station.  This is up the Potomac River from DC. The Maryland MARC Train stops here.
  • 2013-12-26 17.27.25: Nativity at the National Tree, White House Ellipse
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I don't go there anymore. Very difficult. The Botanical Gardens have massive lines wrapping around the building and once you are inside, you are pushed through as fast as possible to keep the line moving. No chance to enjoy it and very crowded. Also a hassle to get there. Same goes for the Bronx display as it has grown in popularity. Gone are the days you can walk in on a Friday or Saturday night an hour before closing and have the place to yourself. Last time I attempted to get in there, it was a 3+ hour wait to see the trains, even with advanced tickets and being a member of the Friends of the NYBG. 

 

I volunteered to do the National Christmas Tree Railroad this year and gave up a good chunk of my Thanksgiving weekend to volunteer to set it up. The Secret Service's rude and aggressive attitudes towards me and other volunteers, work conditions as a whole (fierce wind, soaking wet ground, mud, etc), general disorganization and chaos with no thank yous made me cancel the rest of my scheduled dates with the set up and operation of the display and I refuse to get involved with it again. 

 

I understand Union Station has yet another new display. The O Gauge layout last year (a way lame layout at that) has been replaced by the old Norwegian layout rebuilt into an old western US theme with LGB trains. I haven't seen it and don't really plan to go down there if I don't have to (I'm there enough already for my daily commute but never go to that area of the building). 

 

Outside of National Capital Tracker displays at the College Park Aviation Museum and the B&O Railroad Museum and the WVMGRS display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, I don't go to any Christmas RR displays. 

Last edited by SJC

We go to the NY Botanical Garden show every year. The buildings are amazing--Penn Station and Yankee Stadium made out of twigs and bark.

As SJC said it is crowded most times but you need tickets for a specific time. My wife and I have flexible schedules and usually go for the 10:30 show on a weekday while school is still in session. No crowd, got in just after 10 with no line. Always an enjoyable experience if you can arrange your schedule.

Scotie

Originally Posted by SJC:

 

I understand Union Station has yet another new display. The O Gauge layout last year (a way lame layout at that) has been replaced by the old Norwegian layout rebuilt into an old western US theme with LGB trains. 

 

I remember the Large Scale holiday display at Union Station from many years ago when I lived in the area.  Truly spectacular (and very large) back then.

Originally Posted by Allan Miller:
Originally Posted by SJC:

 

I understand Union Station has yet another new display. The O Gauge layout last year (a way lame layout at that) has been replaced by the old Norwegian layout rebuilt into an old western US theme with LGB trains. 

 

I remember the Large Scale holiday display at Union Station from many years ago when I lived in the area.  Truly spectacular (and very large) back then.

I don't recall the G Gauge layout prior to the Norwegian one. My understanding is that that the Norwegian embassy paid the bill for the display and has been unable to afford it the last few years. I've also been told the structural and electrical condition of the layout was also an issue. MTH had a display in 2011 and last year a small O Gauge layout which left a lot to be desired. The old Norwegian layout has been rebuilt into a Western US theme and I assume will be the display used for years to come. While the Norwegian layout was very nice, it was getting a bit "stale."

Last edited by SJC

SJ, I am sorry you had such a bad experience.  I am sure your work brought many smiles.  The trains seem to drive much excitement at the tree.  I do not think the amount of traffic would be the same without them.

 

As for the gardens, I do agree that the lines can be a pain.  The best year we went, I took time off before Christmas on a weekday.  Very few visitors and no line.  That was great.

Sorry Matt to learn of your experience with some of the members of the Secret Service. They probably drew the short straw with this assignment, but rudeness is not part of their job description. The ones that I have had personal contact with could not have been nicer guys. They were professional in every sense of the word.

Matt:

 

“Fierce wind, soaking wet ground, mud etc.” Who are you kidding?  The weather for this year’s setup was fine.  You must not have been at the same National Tree that I was!!  Too bad there was nobody there to “kiss your ring”. 

 

Your "services" will not be missed.

 

PS: The Secret Service sill remembers you.

Originally Posted by ZZ1:

Matt:

 

“Fierce wind, soaking wet ground, mud etc.” Who are you kidding?  The weather for this year’s setup was fine.  You must not have been at the same National Tree that I was!!  Too bad there was nobody there to “kiss your ring”. 

 

Your "services" will not be missed.

 

PS: The Secret Service sill remembers you.

John, 

 

I'm not here to have an argument and I consider all Trackers, yourself included, friends and alway will and still appreciate you having me at the tree to assist. I'm not asking anyone to kiss my ring but I strongly believe simple "thank yous" go a long way and just did not feel comfortable or particularly welcome continuing and stand behind my original post.

 

I do hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas and I hope to see you at a show or meeting soon. 

Last edited by SJC

I also volunteer at the National Tree; have for quite a few years.  Setup is a great deal of work and you are out in the elements.  However, my perception was that weather, etc. this year were fine.  These displays are much different than a standard train show where setup is done in a couple hours and then you get to run trains.  However, have enjoyed watching families enjoy the display.  A great way to promote the hobby.  For anyone interested in the display including time lapse video of setup, check out the group's Facebook page (no logon necessary):

https://www.facebook.com/pages...road/284698638227767

 

Last edited by Ted R
Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×