TRAIN GARDENS & MORE

The Fire Museum Of MD, Lutherville

Grandpa’s Holiday Train Garden Page for 2023

By: Jeff Schmaltz, The Washington, Virginia & Maryland Garden Railway Society

Grandpa and Grandma have come off the road and settled down in south-central Pennsylvania. His grandsons are no longer train-crazy but he is still enamored with the Baltimore tradition of Christmas Train Gardens and continues to update this list of holiday train displays. The list is meant to be inclusive, in addition to the traditional Baltimore firehouse holiday train garden, any train display, open house, etc., whether holiday themed or not, is included, with a rather broad geographic coverage as well.

HELP RECEIVED: As a first step, WVMGRS club member Tom Roehl created this Google Map from the list. For more details, see the Comment section below.

Here are links to some articles on the history of train gardens:

Tracking Down a Seasonal Baltimore Phenomenon (Baltimore City Paper 2000)

Holiday Train Garden Traditions (Fire Museum of Maryland)

Here’s a new one: Electrifying and Animating Maryland’s Christmas Gardens (Maryland Center for History and Culture)

And you might enjoy, as I did, Paul Race’s musings on “What Do Trains Have To Do With Christmas?”

We strive to maintain a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date list of train gardens, displays, and open houses in the greater Baltimore-Washington DC area. Please help us by sending any corrections, additions, deletions, broken links, etc. to traingarden@wvmgrs.org (Last updated: 28 November 2023)

Baltimore

Fire Museum of Maryland, 1301 York Road, Lutherville, MD. See 42 antique fire engines and a 1950s “O” Scale Train Garden. The Underground Subway, Light Rail system plus the Bromo Seltzer Tower, Gwynn Oaks Amusement Park, the Baltimore Zoo, the Viaduct, Baltimore neighborhoods, and a car dealership on fire are featured. Be sure to check out the historic photos of Baltimore area train gardens. Open November 25 through December 23, Saturdays 10am – 4pm, Sundays Noon – 4pm. December 26-30, 10am – 4pm. Photos with Santa November 25 11am – 2pm. 410-321-7500. www.firemuseummd.org

Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department, 5200 Southwestern Boulevard Baltimore, MD. 29th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Garden. New design every year. New this year is a 6 x 23 foot LEGO display. Plus, four platforms, each with a different holiday theme. The firehouse also hosts Charles Richter’s 26th annual Train Garden that was previously displayed at Arbutus Auto Painting and Bodyworks. Two train gardens at one stop, you can’t beat that! November 19 through January 1, Weeknights 6pm – 8pm, Weekends 11am – 8pm, Christmas Eve, New Year Eve, 11am – 4pm. New Year’s Day, 11am – 8pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 410-242-6601, www.arbutusvfd.org and www.facebook.com

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD. We’re transforming the Museum into a Winter Wonderland! Hop into our Holiday Festival of Trains, packed with festive fun and merry traditions, both new and old. There will be something to do for kids from 1 to 92! Greet the season this year and begin a family tradition for many more to come. While you’re here, don’t miss our Bank of America Model Train Gallery, G Scale Outdoor Train Garden, or HO Scale model layout. November 27-30, December 4-7, 11-14, 20–31, 10am – 4pm. December 1, 8, 15, 18-19, 10am – 3pm. Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 410-752-2490, www.borail.org

Baltimore City Fire Department, Engine Company 45 and Medic 14, 2700 Glen Avenue, Baltimore, MD. Continuing a longtime tradition, the Baltimore City Fire Department presents its 68th Annual Holiday Train Garden. Each year the garden features displays with themes relative to the Fire Department and current issues. The Train Garden occupies almost half of the station. Operating Monday through Friday 4pm – 8pm, Saturday, Sunday, and Christmas Day, Noon – 8pm from November 25 through January 7. 443-984-1529. www.facebook.com

Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1901 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD. “Santa’s Streetcar”, come ride a streetcar with Santa Claus, enjoy seasonal refreshments and pose for pictures! Saturday and Sunday, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17, Noon – 5pm. 410-547-0264, www.baltimorestreetcarmuseum.org

Charlestown Senior Living, 715 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD. Charlestown Model Railroad Club open house of their layout depicting the 1950’s when steam trains were being phased out and diesel became the new workhorse. The scenery on the long wall of the room is from Western Pennsylvania near Horseshoe Curve. Saturdays year-round from Noon – 2pm. Maps are available at the Gatehouse for visitors to locate the display. ccicharlestown.org

Christmas on 34th Street, Baltimore, MD. This is a Baltimore tradition almost as old as train gardens. For the 77th year, this street in the Hampden district of Baltimore is brilliantly lit up for Christmas, and the glow spills over into the surrounding neighborhood. And, since there are some trains in it, I get to include it in this list! November 25 through January 1, Dusk – 11pm, except Dec 24 and Dec 31 when they stay on all night! www.christmasstreet.com

Clarks Hardware, 10325 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD. Check out their year-round train garden in the front foyer. Santa Saturdays November 25 through December 23, 9am – Noon. Store hours Monday through Saturday, 7am – 8pm. Sundays 9am – 6pm. clarkshardware.com

Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society, 4 Center Place, Dundalk, MD. The 23rd annual train garden has trains running on four different levels, some down right where the little ones can see them. Modeling Maryland from Ocean City to our hometown of Dundalk, with over 150 action scenes, including a huge circus and an expanded zoo. Open November 26 through December 31. Monday-Friday, 3pm – 7pm, Saturday-Sunday 1pm – 7pm. Closed Christmas Day. Call 410-284-2331 for more information. www.dundalkhistory.org

Ellicott City Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station Museum, 2711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City, MD. This holiday season, enjoy train models set up throughout the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, including our year-round exhibit in the Freight House. Opening November 25 and running through January 7. The Railroad Station Museum is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 3pm, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am – 5pm. Open late for Midnight Madness December 1! 410-313-1945, www.howardcountymd.gov and www.facebook.com

Epiphany Lutheran Church, 4301 Raspe Avenue, Baltimore, MD. Visit us soon to see our 10th Annual Christmas Train Garden. It’s fun for the whole family! Even bigger and better this year, featuring O, O27, and HO trains, carnival rides, skiers, moving and lighted displays, Harry Potter, Disney, Rudolph’s Village, and more. November 19 through January 17. Saturdays and Sundays Noon – 5pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. 410-485-7654, god-is-love.org

Fire Museum of Maryland, 1301 York Road, Lutherville, MD. See 42 antique fire engines and a 1950s “O” Scale Train Garden. The Underground Subway, Light Rail system plus the Bromo Seltzer Tower, Gwynn Oaks Amusement Park, the Baltimore Zoo, the Viaduct, Baltimore neighborhoods, and a car dealership on fire are featured. Be sure to check out the historic photos of Baltimore area train gardens. Open November 25 through December 23, Saturdays 10am – 4pm, Sundays Noon – 4pm. December 26-30, 10am – 4pm. Photos with Santa November 25 11am – 2pm. 410-321-7500. www.firemuseummd.org

Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD. Come visit us and enjoy some holiday fun provided by train enthusiast Dennis Moore. Our Holiday Train Garden features four continuously operating trains. Visitors of all ages delight in the buttons to activate accessories or sounds. November 27 through January 6. Open during center operating hours, Monday through Saturday 7am – 9pm, Sundays 9am – 6pm. 410-313-4840. www.baltimoresun.com and www.howardcountymd.gov

The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, 2323 Eastern Boulevard, Middle River, MD. The 8th annual “Planes and Trains” Garden is an O-gauge collaboration of Museum and Jacksonville Senior Center volunteers. Among the new garden displays this year are Ocean City “Christmas In July” and “Cruizin’ Weekend”, Assateague Island Lighthouse and ponies, CFG Bank Arena with “Disney On Ice” show, Glen L Martin B-26 factory during World War II, Downtown Balto Hochschild-Kohn/Hutzlers at Holiday Time, Fort McHenry on Defender’s Day, St. Stephens AME Church – Essex, Aero Acres Community – Middle River, 175th Wing Air National Guard, Richardsons Farm Market – White Marsh, Aviation Mountain – Famous Faces, Hot Air Balloons, the Middle River Lighted Boat Parade, and a few more surprises. November 25 through January 7. Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and December 26-29, 11am – 4pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year. There is a sign-in process for which adults will need to register and show their IDs. 410-682-6122. www.mdairmuseum.org

Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show, Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD. A commercial show featuring operating model railroads and dealers selling trains and accessories. December 2-3, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm. 630-279-4087, trainshow.com

Highlandtown Holiday Train Garden, Engine Company 41, 520 South Conkling Street, Baltimore, MD. For our 13th year, we have replicas of the Southeast Anchor Library and the Mimi DiPietro Skating Rink, Bump and Go Trolleys, and also an entire platform featuring old industrial Highlandtown. November 25-26, December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23 through January 1, except Christmas Day, 11am – 5pm. www.highlandtowntraingarden.com and www.facebook.com

Homestead Gardens, 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. Come see their table top train and village plus our animatronic Santa’s Workshop, sure to delight the young and young-at-heart! Display runs November 27 through December 31, Monday through Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 9am – 8pm, and Sunday 9am – 6pm. Check for extended hours during the holiday season. 410-384-7966, www.homesteadgardens.com

Howard County Fire and Rescue Train Garden and Open House. We are excited to have the 26th annual holiday train garden back at the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department. The Howard County Fire & Rescue Train Garden Crew (50+ fire department and civic-minded community members) started working in mid-October to design and build new and beautiful holiday displays. December 2 through January 1. Wednesday through Friday, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 8:30pm. Christmas Eve, 11am – 5pm. Closed Christmas Day. December 26-29, 11am – 8:30pm. www.ellicottcityvfa.com

Maranatha Chapel, 3 Bowleys Quarters Road, Baltimore, MD. Holiday Train Garden in the lower level of the church. December 2 through 29, Fridays 7pm – 9pm, Saturdays 5pm – 8pm, Sundays 3pm – 6pm. 410-344-9673. www.mchapel.org

Marley Station Mall, 7900 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD. Holiday Train Garden. A tradition in Glen Burnie for 31 years. Created by the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, this legendary display features a number of multi-level scenes featuring 16 trains and many landscapes. Four exciting new scenes for 2023 include Santa Train storyland, American Flyer, renovated speedway, and Jurassic Park. We have a number of interactive elements for the enjoyment of parents and children alike. And a passenger train circling it all from above. November 18-20, 24-27. December 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-24, 26-31, January 5-7. Weekdays and Saturdays 10am – 8pm, Sundays Noon – 6pm. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, 10am – 4pm. 410-766-2033. www.facebook.com

Pinehurst Wine Shoppe, 6242 Bellona Avenue, Baltimore, MD. The Burke Express, named in honor of 11-year-old store regular Burke Manual, consists of a suspended layout overhead with over 260 feet of double track. In addition, they set up a LEGO village and train during the holiday season. Open during store hours, Monday through Saturday 10am – 8pm. The Charlesmead Pharmacy next store has an old-fashioned soda fountain serving lunch, milkshakes, and snowballs! www.pinehurstwineshoppe.com

Rawlings Conservatory, 3100 Swan Drive in Druid Hill Park (near the corner of McCulloh Street and Gwynns Falls Parkway), Baltimore, MD. Our annual Poinsettia show returns to the conservatory. No longer is red the main attraction, we have orange, pink with splashes of white, and variegated as well, with names such as Jingle Bells, Monet, and Fireworks. Come brighten your winter day with us! The Baltimore Society of Model Engineers presents their 12’x14’ O-gauge 3 rail layout featuring a model of Baltimore’s City Hall, and train themed planters! December 2 through December 31. Wednesday through Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Closed Christmas Day. 410-396-0008. www.rawlingsconservatory.org and www.facebook.com

Scottish Rite Temple, 3800 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. Our 10th annual holiday garden is 44 X 12 feet featuring O scale and all new HO scale display, plus a 2 X 8 feet N scale display. We have 11 running trains, a Halloween display, Christmas Village, a waterfall, and much more. December 2 from 9am – Noon and December 27-28 from 10 am – 2pm.

Severna Park Model Railroad Club, 3 Riggs Avenue, Severna Park, MD Home of the historic HO scale Chesapeake & Allegheny Railroad, spanning Maryland, “From the Mountains to the Bay,” circa 1950. Noted for their urban scenery, impressive steel works and robust coal operation, this club has been featured on the cover of Model Railroader four times. Located in the old Severna Park train station along the Baltimore & Annapolis rail trail. December 1 from 5pm – 6:30pm for the Severna Park Tree Lighting Ceremony. Open House December 2-3, Noon – 3pm. severnapark.railfan.net and www.facebook.com

The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, MD. A spectacular holiday tradition – The 35th annual Christmas Train Garden featuring action packed model trains, animations, and lots of your favorite Characters!! The display contains several trains running simultaneously including a passenger train, freight train, logging train, lighted Merry Christmas Train, Disney Pixar Car race cars, Thomas the Tank and friends trains. Action cars in city streets, logging operation and camp plus a large Christmas carnival with lots of brightly lit carnival rides. Also, a Gnome village, RV park and lots more. Every year the Train Group who designs, produces and constructs the Train Garden add new and exciting features for all to enjoy. November 18 through January 7, open during mall hours. 410-321-1909, www.theshopsatkenilworth.com

Subway City Holiday Train Garden, Mondawmin Metro Subway Station, 2307 Liberty Heights Avenue (intersection with Reisterstown Road), Baltimore, MD. The interactive train garden, in its 8th year, features a four-car subway train moving around a cityscape, platform, zoo, park, neighborhoods and a construction site. Kids young and old can experience the magic of the train garden and are encouraged to participate in the fun by pushing interactive buttons and watching objects move in the train garden. The holiday display was designed and built by MTA Metro Subway employees on their own time with materials and time donated by the MTA and several contractors. You can run the trains yourself by pushing the button! The display is located on the Mezzanine Level of the Mondawmin Metro Station and is available for public viewing 8am – 8pm from December 2 through 31.

Top of the World Observation Level, World Trade Center, 401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD. Come visit what could be the world’s highest train garden! November 24 through January 7, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am – 6pm. Friday and Saturday 10am – 7pm. Sunday 11am – 6pm. December 29 and January 1 they will be open from 10am – 6pm. viewbaltimore.org

Sykesville and Patapsco Railway, 731 Oklahoma Avenue, Sykesville, MD. This display of railroad history includes a 1910 Pullman Parlor Car, 1927 B&O Caboose, 1910 Interlocking Tower with N, HO, O, and G-gauge model train displays. Open house Saturday December 2, 3pm – 6pm, and Santa will be in the caboose. Open Houses December 3, 9, and 10, January 7, Noon – 4pm. www.facebook.com

White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company, 10331 Philadelphia Road, White Marsh, MD. Our Winter Fest includes the 5th Annual Train Garden. A 512-square-foot train garden with eight trains, trolley, an animated water scene, a lighted Christmas boat parade, a tornado from the Wizard of Oz, a circus, and much more. November 24 through December 31. Friday November 24, 9am – 8pm. Weekdays 2pm – 8pm. Saturdays, 9am – 8pm. Sundays 9am – 5pm. December 26-29, 10am – 8pm. Closed Christmas Day. www.wmvfc.org and www.facebook.com

Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Department, 214 Wise Avenue, Dundalk, MD. 42nd Holiday Train Display. This year’s layout which is over 1000 sq. ft. in size, 5 levels, 13 trains & 2 trolleys on their own loops, 12 trains are O Gauge and one train that is a Lionel Standard gauge train in a scene looking back 100 years to show what it may have looked like back then. One train you can’t see because it is under water and about 250 different animated items bring the display to life which includes our famous operating highways. A 10′ bridge that links the city to the North Pole for the scale O Gauge Polar Express which is new this year. An 8′ x 8′ water area at the end of our 20′ real waterfall that is 5 levels high. And in the water, you may see a sail boat, a shark attacking a jet ski, a power boat pulling a skier or something else moving on the water and it will be running thru the bridge’s piers. Watch animated Orioles & Ravens games, see our giant amusement park which includes our famous roller coaster. Also see our professional lighting system which will let you see the display from morning through evening back into morning. November 25 through January 1. Weeknights 6pm – 9pm, Weekends Noon – 9pm, closed Christmas Day. 410-288-0710, www.wavfc.org and www.facebook.com

PLENTY MORE HERE

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