One of the best things I've observed while visiting these locations each year, is that many attendees put down their phones, stop scrolling, and just take in the sights and sounds of holiday fun - something I believe we need more of. Today's world, with it's obsession on social media and gadgets, NEEDS a break now and then, and exploring beautiful scenery such as is found in the following places, may be just the ticket to bring holiday spirit back into our lives.
Ready to go? All right then.....ALL ABOARD! The following exhibits are listed alphabetically, with contact information and links to each one. Every location has different hours and days for visiting, which may change due to weather or unexpected circumstances, so please, look up their websites and social channels before you go!
CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND
It's not everyday one can walk into a building and find out people have been lovingly caring for something which brings so much joy, for over eighty years (yes, 88 to be exact). Starting in the original firehouse, now the dedicated home of the exhibit, this display is the longest continually operating train garden in the entire United States. That's pretty impressive!
"Now in its 88th year, the Rescue Fire Company Train Garden is one of Cambridge’s most beloved and oldest Christmas traditions, one shared and cherished across generations. Children revel in joy watching the passing O Scale trains, while adults find fun details hidden throughout the display. Local landmarks abound, from the businesses on Cambridge Creek, to the historic “old firehouse” in which the display is housed.
And, in addition to being one of Cambridge’s oldest holiday highlights, the RFC Train Garden is perhaps the oldest public model train display in continuous operation in the United States. First opened in 1934, the Train Garden has survived the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam era, rise and decline in Cambridge industries, and Rescue Fire Company’s move to the Cambridge Public Safety Complex in 2007." Source: Rescue Fire Company Train Garden website
Once you enter the old firehouse, which is a beautiful building to photograph as well, you will be greeted by twinkling lights, holiday villages, chugging trains and the smell of popcorn. There are so many different sets of tracks it will take you a while to see them all, and the layouts and design changes each year. Built and run by volunteers, the Rescue Train Garden offers fresh popcorn and light refreshments available for a very reasonable price, along with t-shirts, decals and other items available for purchase. Hours and days of operation vary, so please see the links below.
• "Track down a holiday train garden for the family" November 2022
• Here's one of my albums of the train garden in 2019
This lovely museum, operated by the Seaford Historical Society, features a yearly display of Lionel Trains, Christmas village, and many antique model railroad vehicles. Open Tuesday - Sunday from 1:PM until 4:PM, the exhibit runs through January 8th.
Here are some photos I took during one of our visits to the museum.
The Corddry Company Crossing Model Railroad Club is located at:
I hope you are feeling festive and ready to run out and explore these wonderful places during the next several weeks! They certainly bring a little bit of holiday magic to the season. Let me know which ones you have visited by stopping by my Facebook page Connecting Delmarva. Wishing you a merry and bright December and a wonderful Christmas!
Ready to go? All right then.....ALL ABOARD! The following exhibits are listed alphabetically, with contact information and links to each one. Every location has different hours and days for visiting, which may change due to weather or unexpected circumstances, so please, look up their websites and social channels before you go!
Cambridge Rescue Fire Company Train Garden
It's not everyday one can walk into a building and find out people have been lovingly caring for something which brings so much joy, for over eighty years (yes, 88 to be exact). Starting in the original firehouse, now the dedicated home of the exhibit, this display is the longest continually operating train garden in the entire United States. That's pretty impressive!
"Now in its 88th year, the Rescue Fire Company Train Garden is one of Cambridge’s most beloved and oldest Christmas traditions, one shared and cherished across generations. Children revel in joy watching the passing O Scale trains, while adults find fun details hidden throughout the display. Local landmarks abound, from the businesses on Cambridge Creek, to the historic “old firehouse” in which the display is housed.
And, in addition to being one of Cambridge’s oldest holiday highlights, the RFC Train Garden is perhaps the oldest public model train display in continuous operation in the United States. First opened in 1934, the Train Garden has survived the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam era, rise and decline in Cambridge industries, and Rescue Fire Company’s move to the Cambridge Public Safety Complex in 2007." Source: Rescue Fire Company Train Garden website
Once you enter the old firehouse, which is a beautiful building to photograph as well, you will be greeted by twinkling lights, holiday villages, chugging trains and the smell of popcorn. There are so many different sets of tracks it will take you a while to see them all, and the layouts and design changes each year. Built and run by volunteers, the Rescue Train Garden offers fresh popcorn and light refreshments available for a very reasonable price, along with t-shirts, decals and other items available for purchase. Hours and days of operation vary, so please see the links below.
• "Track down a holiday train garden for the family" November 2022
• Here's one of my albums of the train garden in 2019
• Photos from December 2018
• Blog post December 2020
Location:
• Blog post December 2020
Location:
307 Gay Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Website
Website
Facebook Page
The Queen Anne's Railroad Society is located in Centreville, MD 21617. Visit their website and Facebook page for additional information.
Website
Facebook Page
DELMAR (located on the border of Delaware and Maryland)
DelMarVa Model Railroad Club
CHESTER, MARYLAND
Queen Anne's Railroad Society
The QARS hosts "Festival of Trains" during the first two weekends of December at the Kent Narrows Outlet Center. This is one I've not been able to visit yet, but check out the club on Facebook to see information and photos.
Queen Anne's Railroad Society
The QARS hosts "Festival of Trains" during the first two weekends of December at the Kent Narrows Outlet Center. This is one I've not been able to visit yet, but check out the club on Facebook to see information and photos.
The Queen Anne's Railroad Society is located in Centreville, MD 21617. Visit their website and Facebook page for additional information.
Website
Facebook Page
DELMAR (located on the border of Delaware and Maryland)
DelMarVa Model Railroad Club
This is an amazing place, permanently located on the second floor of an old building in the town. The club hosts four Open House events each year, and there is SO. MUCH. TO. SEE. It's a massive setup featuring many different sizes of railroad layouts, all kinds of unique landscaping, numerous trains running throughout the entire space, and even an area of items for sale. There is a snack bar as well, offering very reasonably-priced food items, so you can sit down and rest while exploring this incredible exhibit. While the the first two open house events have already taken place, you can still look forward to visiting them in January of 2023 when they will host Saturday-Sunday hours on two different weekends. It is truly fun for all ages - we don't even have kids and still absolutely enjoy visiting this wonderful attraction!
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Here's an article from November 2022: “This is model railroading, not just toy trains; Train open house rolls in for holiday season"
Album of the Delmarva Model RR Club Open House (January 2022)
DelMarVa Model Railroad Club
103 E State Street
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Album of the Delmarva Model RR Club Open House (January 2022)
DelMarVa Model Railroad Club
103 E State Street
Delmar, DE 19940
Website
Facebook Page
Website
Facebook Page
OCEAN CITY, MD
Train Garden to benefit the Ocean City Beach Patrol
Set up in the visitors center, this train display is open from Wednesday through Sunday, 5:30pm until 9pm. Here is the Facebook post from the Town of Ocean City: "On your way to Winterfest, be sure to stop by the Roland E. Powell Convention Center Rotunda for a model railroad display! Entry is free with donations being taken in support of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. The display will be open from 5:30pm - 9pm, Wednesday through Sunday for the duration of Winterfest."
The Visitors Center is located at:
4001 Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, MD 21842
SEAFORD, DELAWARE
The Seaford Museum’s Annual Holiday Train Exhibit
The Seaford Museum’s Annual Holiday Train Exhibit
This lovely museum, operated by the Seaford Historical Society, features a yearly display of Lionel Trains, Christmas village, and many antique model railroad vehicles. Open Tuesday - Sunday from 1:PM until 4:PM, the exhibit runs through January 8th.
Here are some photos I took during one of our visits to the museum.
The Seaford Historical Society Museum is located at:
203 High St
203 High St
Seaford, DE 19973
Website
Facebook Page
SNOW HILL, MARYLAND
Corddry Company Crossing Model Railroad Club
Facebook Page
Corddry Company Crossing Model Railroad Club
This club has been running and building their model train garden since 1992. They are located above the Pocomoke River Canoe Company in the town of Snow Hill, off Route 113, midway between Berlin and Pocomoke. This is the only one I've not visited, however it's on our list for this month.
2 River Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863.
Visit their website and Facebook Page for additional information.
Updated info!! The Delaware Seaside Railroad Club’s annual Christmas train show continues at the Georgetown Public Library. The Georgetown show is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. Admission is free. The Georgetown Public Library is located at 123 W. Pine Street, Georgetown.
I hope you are feeling festive and ready to run out and explore these wonderful places during the next several weeks! They certainly bring a little bit of holiday magic to the season. Let me know which ones you have visited by stopping by my Facebook page Connecting Delmarva. Wishing you a merry and bright December and a wonderful Christmas!
community first • marketing consultant • advocate for small business • lover
of classic cars • beach girl • believer that "together we accomplish more"
