Holiday train excursions and model train exhibits celebrate the merry Christmas season in Washington D.C. and the State of Maryland. Excursion Trains include Holly Trolley Fest at the National Capital Trolley Museum, Santa Trains in Walkersville Southern Railroad and Santa Express at Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Union Station in Washington D.C. features a Norwegian holiday display, with Christmas Tree and holiday train. The Holiday Festival of Trains is a model train exhibit displayed at B&O; Railroad Museum in Baltimore and in Ellicott.
Following are the highlights of the holiday train theme in Washington D.C. and Maryland.
Holiday Train Excursions
Holly Trolleyfest, National Capital Trolley Museum, Colesville, MD. Rides the trolleys and see toy trains in operations. Santa and Mrs Claus will be on board before Christmas. This is a nighttime excursion, departing between 5 pm and 8:30 pm. . The trolley runs weekends in December. The National Trolley Museum preserves the heritage of the electric railways in Washington DC. The museum is in Northwest Branch Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. abut 14 miles north of our nation’s capital. 1-301-384-6088.
Santa Trains, Walkersville Southern Railroad, Walkersville, MD. Santa will be riding the rails during the first two weekends in December. Tickets: Adults $9, Children $7. Reservations are recommended, as seats are limited. Call 1-877-363-WSRR.
Walkersville Southern Railroad is located 50 miles of Baltimore and 50 miles northwest of Washington D.C. The railway between Walkersville and Frederick was built just after the Civil War, in1869, as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Frederick Secondary. The Pennsylvania Railroad merged with New York Central in 1968, forming Penn Central Railroad. The railway suffered financial troubles. In 1972 , floods following Hurricane Agnes washed out the bridge south of Walkersville, severing the rail line. The line was out of service for 20 years. In the 1990’s, the rail line was cleared of debris.the bridge was rebuilt and limited. Limited excursion were offered in 1995. The railway has been offering excursions since. Excursion rides on the railway are an education in transportation history.
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Cumberland, MD. The scenic railroad is a trip back in time. The excursion trains climb though spectacular Allegheny scenery. Passengers ride in restored train coaches. Large windows neat the seats offer a view of the scenic countryside. Reservations recommended. 10800-TRAIN-50.
Santa Express, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The Santa Express is the regular excursion, with Santa on board. December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16.
North Pole Express, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Evening excursion pulled by a steam locomotive. Santa and Mrs. Claus await at the North Pols. One board the train, hot chocolate and cookies are served.
Model Train Exhibits
Norwegian Christmas at Union Station, Washington, D.C. Fairytale setting is created with he giant Norwegian Holiday model train that winds around scale model mountain and fjords of Norway. The model train moves through a Norwegian winter landscape, with farms, a fishing village, a stave church,a ski jump, mountain trolls and more. The Norwegian Christmas Tree is decorated with 8,000 sparkling lights. the Norwegian Holiday Model Train runs until January 6, 2008.; Donations for Toys for Tots are collected until December 20
Union Station has welcomed people into the U.S. Capital for over 90 years. With over 32 million people passing through each year, Union Station is the most visited site in Washington D.C.
Holiday Festival of Trains. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, Baltimore, MD. The B&O; Railroad Museum celebrate model trains an toys, with this exhibit. During the festival, visiting layouts form model railroad clubs are displayed. Model displays include: LEGO, Large Scale, American Flyer, HO Scale and more. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum displays an important collection demonstrating railroad history. The forty acre collection is displayed in association with the Smithsonian Institution. Admission: Adults $14, Children $8. 1-410-752-2490.
Holiday Festival of Trains. Ellicott City Station, B&O; Railroad Museum. Ellicott City, MD. The Ellicott City Station is the oldest surviving railroad station in America. The celebration of toy trains and model railroading features three layouts. Layouts include a holiday themed “O” scale, an “O” scale Thomas the Tank Engine layout and and “N” Scale layout. The Holiday Festival of Trains is presented by Constellation Energy and CSX Transportation through January 27, 2008. Admission:” Adults $5, Children $3. 1-410-461-1945.
Enjoy the train displays and special excursions in Washington D.C. and the State of Maryland during the holiday season.
For more on holiday trains,read about the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train here. Scenic Holiday Trains in New England here, Holiday Model Trains in Pennsylvania. and Holiday Trains in New Jersey here, and Holiday Trains in New York here.
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
