FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT – The Fairfield Museum and History Center is offering extended hours for its annual Holiday Express Train Show through the holidays as well as a full lineup of special family programs throughout the month, including a real Steam Train display, Choo Choo story times, and Build-a-Train workshops.
Young and old alike delight in the large and small scale model trains winding around spectacular winter villages and beautiful holiday scenery. Members of the Fairfield-based Housatonic Model Railroad Club, the Connecticut G-Scalers Club and the Central Connecticut G-Gauagers will be on hand to answer questions and point out details of the collectibles, classic trains, modular dioramas and antique trains in this eye-popping holiday display.
In addition to the Train Show, a number of special programs have been planned. On Friday, December 26 from 11am – 3:30 pm, collector Harvey Campbell will be on hand to demonstrate his real steam model trains and share his knowledge and enthusiasm about how these unique trains work. On Mondays, December 22 & 29 and Tuesday, December 30, children ages 6-10 will be able to build their own model trains in a family-friendly, hands-on workshop.
Young train enthusiasts are invited to enjoy Choo Choo story time where they’ll discover adventures on the tracks with books that spark the imagination.
According to Marc Rosenblum, the owner of Hobbytown in Fairfield, you are never too young to begin a lifelong interest in model trains. His fascination began when he was a child and he received his first set at age eight.
“Children like to bring the real world down to their size. Trains allow the kids to create a moving miniature world of their own,” says Rosenblum, a Train Show sponsor, along with Roland & Co. Fairfield Living Magazine, Hearst Media Services and WSHU public radio.
“Building model trains also encourages kids to use engineering skills and think… plus it gets them away from the iPhone, TV and Nintendo screens,” says Ray Jakabcin, secretary/treasurer of the Central CT G-Gaugers Club, who fondly remembers his father’s Lionel train set running around the family tree throughout his childhood.
Holiday Express Train Show Schedule:
Admission is $5 for adults; seniors and students $3; free for children 5 and under.
Weekends: 10am - 4pm
Weekdays: through December 23: 11am - 1pm
Holiday Vacation Hours:
Wednesday, December 24 – Sunday, January 4: 10am - 4pm
(including Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve)
Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Choo Choo Story time
Thursdays, December 18; Monday, December 22, Tuesday, December 23 and Friday, December 26
10:30 – 11am Free with admission.
Enjoy your favorite stories about all things trains! Discover adventures on the tracks with books that spark the imagination.
See a Steam Train!
Friday, December 26 from 11am – 3:30pm
Free with admission.
Watch real steam rise from a model train that travels around an elevated track. Collector Harvey Campbell will share his knowledge and enthusiasm about how these unique trains work.
Fun Workshop: Terrific Trains
Mondays, December 22 & 29 and Tuesday, December 30
11am – 12pm OR 1:00 – 2:00pm
Workshop for ages 6 – 10. $5, please pre-register by calling 203-259-1598.
Build a wooden model train and paint it your own way!
Hi-res photos available upon request