I read that article too. They do have a permanent Lionel Layout that seems to only run in the holiday season but it is there to be veiwed year round. The layout is a off the shelf TW design layout that someone from the forum here converted to a holiday theme a few years ago. It seems to have kept the holiday theme since then. I know in the 1980's and 90's in more flush times they had a train department with Lionel, LGB and Marklin trains year round. In the 2009 recession they closed the NYC store for a while and really cut back on both display and exclusive toys. The current version is a shadow of the past but they have claimed to be returning to a new space in 2016. With any luck they will be back. The Toys R Us in Times Square is also closing in 2016 so there may be a lack of big toy stores in Manhattan very soon.
This came up on the news Sat., the thing that surprised me was Toys-R-Us purchased AOF.
Toys-R-Us just seems to have an monopoly in the toy store market.
The biggest competition for Toys R Us anymore brick and mortar wise is Target and Walmart.
In the mid 1980's I worked on the East Side of Manhattan during summers as a college student. Many days after work I would drop by FAO Schwartz and watch the trains go round on the second floor. Great LGB layouts, Maerklin and Fischertechnik construction sets. It was amazing, all highend quality merchandise displayed so well.
All the best,
Miketg
The brand, bought by Toys R Us in 2009, is not going away, but is yet to find a new place to call home.
rat
2015 update
This year TW Trainworks has made a new 3 rail O scale and Standard gauge Layout displayed at the New York Historical Society to accompany the amazing Jerni Antique toy train collection display that was first shown there last year. There are NO excuses to leave this off any trip to NYC for the holidays for toy train people.
I think I'm going to make a date to go to the exhibit. Looks really cool from the advert on the NYHS website.
http://www.nyhistory.org/exhib...s-jerni-collection-0
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This has already been added in the update at the top of the thread! 
This year TW Trainworks has made a new 3 rail O scale and Standard gauge Layout displayed at the New York Historical Society to accompany the amazing Jerni Antique toy train collection display that was first shown there last year. There are NO excuses to leave this off any trip to NYC for the holidays for toy train people.
On a sad note FAO Schwarz, the famous New York City toy store at 5th Ave and 59th St, closed as of July 2015. Rumor has it that they are looking for a new Manhattan location, but as of now there has been no announcement. They carried Lionel Trains through the years and even had a demonstrator on hand during last years Holiday Season.
The arrival of the 2015 Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center.
I saw the Rockefeller Center tree show up yesterday from inside my window where I was installing some holiday display windows. It was a bit surreal to see this big green whale show up and then get hoisted into the air. It is unbelelivable how quick the transition is. On Monday through Wednesday that same space was home to a small advertising stunt by the Ocean Spray Cooperative using a mini Cranberry bog where they were serving sit down formal dinners.
So if you do make it down there and you can pull your eyes away from the tree or you are waiting in line for the Rockettes show you can see our windows we have been working on. Here is a little preview that some of you guys may appreciate. No trains this year but plenty of buildings.
So if you do make it down there and you can pull your eyes away from the tree or you are waiting in line for the Rockettes show you can see our windows we have been working on. Here is a little preview that some of you guys may appreciate. No trains this year but plenty of buildings.
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That picture is very reminiscent of Southampton, England where freight and passenger trains serviced ocean going vessels at railway operated pier side facilities for decades. The historical society's display is definitely on my list this year.
Thanks for posting.
Bob
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Saks has an HO scale set in thier 49th street windows (these windows are part of the
group done by the in-store team verses the center group of animated windows done
by an outside group).
The Barneys Windows have a slot car city in one window and a pretty cool Ice Castle and carving station in the other.
They also had a nice glass and light installation by the glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Bergdorf Goodmans always has nice windows.
Here is one from this year I like.
If you do make it uptown to the New York Historical Society to see the vintage trains
an added attraction is the Batmobile from the Adam West TV show from the 1960s.
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Something you might want to add to the tour:
New York Christmas Village
530 5th Ave (near 43rd St)
NYC, NY
The Christmas Village in NY is a walk-through exhibit of twenty-one fabulously decorated scenes, with audio-animatronic elves, animals, people, and machines operating throughout. There is nothing like it anywhere in The City. Visitors get a guided tour telling the whole story of how Santa wanted a Village here as a home away from home. Admission price comes with a colorful pass the guests keep as a souvenir. There is a live Santa for them to pose with, and various photo package options to purchase. Some of the scenes include Santa arriving on his reindeer-drawn sleigh to a NYC Yellow Cab, the North Pole Depot featuring a huge replica train, Santa’s Workshop with elves working away making toys, the Claus Home, Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shoppe for baking his favorite cookies, the Mulberry Street Pizzeria for his favorite snack, Rudolph’s Barn where all the reindeer play, an Arctic Scene with a family of Polar Bears, a NYC skyline complete with a mechanical vintage biplane like the ones that King Kong fought on the Empire State Building, a revolving Christmas Tree Carousel, and a dozen more scenes, including a traditional Nativity. This is a Magical Christmas Tour in New York, and you will want to make it an annual tradition to visit. Christmas Village in NY is located in the lower level of 530 Fifth Avenue, just a few blocks down from Rockefeller Center.
Upstairs is our huge Christmas in NY gift store, where we feature hundreds of ornaments that are not available anywhere except in our stores and on our website. We personalize for free, so many people get a cherished keepsake for themselves, friends, or family.
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Don't miss the Saks 5th Ave Light Show!!! Directly across 5th Ave from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, this is a jaw dropper.
So did anybody go to Macy's Santa Land and take photos of the display?
I remember one year TrainWorx put up a Christmas tree that had 3 or 4 Lionel trains running around the inside of the tree. WOW !!! It looked so cool. first time i'd ever seen that happen.
Hi Skip,
What a fantastic thread. Enjoying it very much.
Thanks,
Alex
riki posted:So did anybody go to Macy's Santa Land and take photos of the display?
I remember one year TrainWorx put up a Christmas tree that had 3 or 4 Lionel trains running around the inside of the tree. WOW !!! It looked so cool. first time i'd ever seen that happen.
Here you go riki. Took this video Sunday December 13, 2015
THE NY CITY TOY TRAIN SEASON STARTS TODAY! Wow, I can't believe it's almost November!!! This year, with Thanksgiving on November 24th we have an extra few days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To update: The NY Botanical Gardens Train Show begins November 19, 2016 and runs until January 16, 2017. The 34ft Lionel Train Layout at Grand Central Terminal will open on November 14, 2016 through January 10, 2017. The Lionel Display in Macy's Santa Land opens November 25, 2016 and runs through Christmas Eve. AND TODAY...October 28, 2016 .... The New York Historical Society on Central Park West opens its Holiday Express train show which runs through February 26, 2017.
NYC Fan posted:THE NY CITY TOY TRAIN SEASON STARTS TODAY! Wow, I can't believe it's almost November!!! This year, with Thanksgiving on November 24th we have an extra few days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To update: The NY Botanical Gardens Train Show begins November 19, 2016 and runs until January 16, 2017. The 34ft Lionel Train Layout at Grand Central Terminal will open on November 14, 2016 through January 10, 2017. The Lionel Display in Macy's Santa Land opens November 25, 2016 and runs through Christmas Eve. AND TODAY...October 28, 2016 .... The New York Historical Society on Central Park West opens its Holiday Express train show which runs through February 26, 2017.
Thanks Skip. Always look forward to this update from you. Planning our trip soon.
Forgot to mention, this year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is on Wednesday November 30, 2016. So, that first weekend in December (12/3 & 12/4) would make a great time for a visit to Manhattan. It will all be in full swing.
I'm open to any advice on the best way to get there from Philly? Any good place to park if I drive in?
Thanks,
Greg
Greg, It just so happens that Penn Station is my family's customary starting point for our walking tour. You're best bet, in my opinion, is to take the train from Philly to Penn Station. Driving in can be a challenge during the holidays and I'd certainly not want to drive in midtown if I could help it. Parking can be expensive as well.
An alternative would be driving up I-95 to Secaucus Junction Station at exit 15X. There is plenty of parking there, especially on the weekends, and it's very reasonable. Then you can take the NE Corridor train from there across the river into Penn Station.
From Penn Station see the walking tour map in the original post to plan your day.
Skip
Thank-you Skip! I will drive to Secaucus and take the train ftom there. Philly to NY for 3 people is about $300 round trip and I'd prefer to spend the majority of that on mementos in NY.
-Greg
Greg,
Here is information about the parking at Secaucus Junction. You can even reserve a spot!
http://www.parkfast.com/secaucus-parking
Skip
Greg Houser posted:I'm open to any advice on the best way to get there from Philly? Any good place to park if I drive in?
Thanks,
Greg
There are 2 ways to take the train from Philly to NYC. Septa to Trenton and then NJT to NYC Penn Station. You could also do Amtrak from Philly to NYC, that will be way more expensive.
I don't know what Septa would cost to Trenton but Trenton to NYC $33.50 round trip for an adult and $15.30 for a child or senior round trip on NJT.
If you don't mind driving then Secaucus is your best bet provided you don't try to make your trip around a rush hour. The NJ Turnpike has a nasty tendency to be clogged in that area during rush hour.
Macy's is right by Penn Station. Grand Central is a bit of a walk but I've done it in business shoes no problem. If you want to do more train, take the 1,2 or 3 uptown from Penn Station to 42nd Street (Time Square) and then East bound (Queens) 7. I think a Subway ride is $2.25 these days.
There is also a smartphone app for NJT. New Jersey Transit Mobile App (My Tix). You can purchase tickets with the app that will save you from dealing with sometimes unreliable ticket machines on the platforms.
Have fun!
Tony
EDITED! I made a mistake on what Subway to take from NYC Penn to Time Square to catch the 7 East to Grand Central. I originally said A, C, or E and while you can transfer to the 7 from any of those, you have to walk a full block underground where the 1,2 or 3 will be only on a different level. Apologies, I don't use the 7 very often.
Thanks for the update and all of the info Skip!!! This is one impressive list.
Hey Skip You have to add your house onto the tour
Tony_V posted:Greg Houser posted:I'm open to any advice on the best way to get there from Philly? Any good place to park if I drive in?
Thanks,
Greg
There are 2 ways to take the train from Philly to NYC. Septa to Trenton and then NJT to NYC Penn Station. You could also do Amtrak from Philly to NYC, that will be way more expensive.
I don't know what Septa would cost to Trenton but Trenton to NYC $33.50 round trip for an adult and $15.30 for a child or senior round trip on NJT.
If you don't mind driving then Secaucus is your best bet provided you don't try to make your trip around a rush hour. The NJ Turnpike has a nasty tendency to be clogged in that area during rush hour.
Macy's is right by Penn Station. Grand Central is a bit of a walk but I've done it in business shoes no problem. If you want to do more train, take the A,C or E uptown from Penn Station to 42nd Street (Time Square) and then East bound (Queens) 7. I think a Subway ride is $2.25 these days.
There is also a smartphone app for NJT. New Jersey Transit Mobile App (My Tix). You can purchase tickets with the app that will save you from dealing with sometimes unreliable ticket machines on the platforms.
Have fun!
Tony
Thanks Tony! Appreciate the tips.
-Greg
Thanks Skip. My wife & followed your tour map a few years ago & had a blast!
I was surprised that a big city is so easy to get around, walking or taking the subway. (My wife grew up in Brooklyn and knew all that.)
Don't forget the Holiday Express at the NY Historical Society at 76th St and Central Park West. It's a little far to walk but easily accessible by subway. You can take the Number 1 Subway Uptown (north) from either 34th St and 7th Ave, or Times Square to 72nd St and Broadway. The museum is a short 6 block walk from the subway. Here is an expanded map showing the subway route in green.
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You for get about the Two Train Stores on West 45 Street.
Between Fifth & Sixth Avenues
How about a little Train Shopping too.
Happy Holidays Days.
And be safe and good luck. John
All, I made a mistake on my original post of what NYC Subway to take to get to Grand Central. I edited my original post but since the original post was copied, I wanted to be sure everyone it could effect would see the update
The directions should have read, take the 1,2 or 3 uptown from Penn Station to 42nd Street (Time Square) and then East bound (Queens) 7. I originally said A,C, or E and while you can transfer to the 7 from those, taking the 1,2, or 3 from Penn Stations means a much shorter walk at Time Square. Sorry about that. I don't take the 7 often.
Tony
BREAKING NEWS!!! No, not more emails. The Rockefeller Center 2016 Christmas Tree has been selected. It's coming from Oneonta, NY. It will be cut down November 10th and arrive in Rockefeller Center on November 12th. It looks great!
The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting is scheduled for Wednesday November 30th.
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