The Duke Energy Holiday Trains are making their way back into the Cincinnati Museum Center, renewing a 78-year-old holiday tradition that has enchanted generations of families.
With locomotives and rail carriages that could span over a mile if set end-to-end, this exhibit pays homage not just to the holiday season, but also to Cincinnati’s rich railway history.
Visitors may now marvel at a gigantic setup of 50 locomotives and 300 rail cars, controlled by professional engineers who keep this world in perfect motion, beginning yesterday.
“Think of how many people have come and seen this layout in almost eight decades,” Local12 News told Cody Hefner from the Cincinnati Museum Center, emphasizing the event’s appeal across generations.
This year, visitors will be greeted by seven separate vintage model train displays, including one from 1904, that combine the past and the present, while an immense LEGO installation called Brickopolis competes for attention at Union Terminal.
Trainmaster Tom Bredestege, who has a personal history with the B&O railroad and a lifetime of dedication to the lines, adds a special passion to Holiday Junction.
Bredestege expressed his enthusiasm for the craft in a statement acquired by Spectrum News1, saying, “It’s just something in your blood.” “It is a family thing.
His enthusiasm is palpable as he guides the trains through the wintry villages and twisting tracks on exhibit, adding to the fantasy that captivates visitors of all ages.
This season’s show is more than just a playground for toy trains. Visitors can wander through a blizzard of imagination in the Brickopolis area, which features spectacular LEGO buildings that are themed.
You put a handful of people in here and kids in here that are really excited,” Hefner told WCPO, characterizing the exhibit’s dynamic atmosphere for the museum.
Furthermore, Santa Claus is set to make a big debut via helicopter on November 29, courtesy of UC Health.
The Holiday Junction experience, which combines the whimsy of model trains with the ever-popular phenomena of block-building, is free for museum members.
Non-members can purchase general admission tickets for $22.50 per adult and $15.50 for children and seniors. The exhibit will be open until January 6, 2025, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to join in this long-honored Cincinnati holiday tradition.
