Model Train Show and Open House returns to Union County for the holidays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 11

A family favorite holiday tradition is returning to Union County this year, as the Model Railroad Club opens the doors to the spectacular A. Paul Mallory Railroad Center for visitors of all ages, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 11.

Visitors to the Holiday Train Show and Open House can get an up-close look at special trains traversing the club’s huge 11,000-square-foot layout. Included are famous trains of the past such as the Santa Fe’s famous Super Chief and the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited, along with AMTRAK’s Acela Express and many, many more.

“The Model Railroad Club has provided a generation of Union County residents and visitors with a unique window into the art, craft, history and technology of model railroading, and the Commissioner Board is very proud to support their work. We are all looking forward to the Holiday Train Show,” said Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams.

“The club is very excited to put on our holiday train show for our fans again this year. We hope that our trains can put a smile on the face of the little kid in all of us this holiday season,” said Model Railroad Club President Tim McCollum.

Visitors of all ages can view the sprawling HO scale layout at the Railroad Center from several different levels, including an eye-level view, a birds-eye view from a gallery, and “peek-a-boo” access points within the layout itself.

Also on display is a massive new expansion of the layout, enabling visitors to see how track is being hand-laid, and how mountains and scenery are created. Railroad Club members will also explain the planning and engineering behind the unique bi-level corkscrew loop.

Rounding out the displays are detailed G-scale and N-scale layouts along with other railroad memorabilia.

There is also a small play area and a railroad-themed gift shop at the Railroad Center.

Dates:

 

Three Weekends: Nov 25-Nov 27, Dec 3-Dec 4, and Dec 10-11

Opening Day (Nov. 25): 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Saturdays (Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10): 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sundays (Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11): 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Location:

The A. Paul Mallory Railroad Center, Jefferson Avenue, off Route 22 East, Union Township (behind The Home Depot). Building is wheelchair-accessible. Parking is free

Ticket sales and Railroad Club Information:

Purchase tickets online: www.themodelrailroadclub.org; at the door; Saturdays 1-4 p.m. only at The Model Railroad Club.

Advance tickets are $9 per adult, $4 children age 3 to 11; and $7 for those age 60 and older.

Tickets at the door are $10 per adult, $5 per child and $8 for seniors.

Children age 2 and younger are free.

Groups of 10 or more can call (908) 964-9724 for discount information.

All visitors must observe posted COVID-19 guidelines.

The A. Paul Mallory Railroad Center is located in a mixed-use corner of Union County’s Lenape Park in Union Township, through an arrangement with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Members of The Model Railroad Club raised the funds to build the facility, and they continue to operate and maintain it.

The Model Railroad Club, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity and is one of the largest railroad clubs in New Jersey. The Club has approximately 170 volunteer members who help to fulfill the mission of the club to educate the general public about the railroads and the industries they served in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania areas.

All proceeds from the Holiday Train Show support the operations of The Model Railroad Club, Inc.

For more information about all programs and activities of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation visit ucnj.org/parks.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.