The annual Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum is set to return to Grand Central Terminal on November 13 (Friday), showcasing classic model trains, miniature replicas of New York landmarks, and holiday decorations. The exhibition will be open to the public for free and will run until February 2027.
This exhibition, which started in 2002, has become a beloved winter tradition in New York City, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. This year, the show will feature classic Lionel model trains, including the Metro-North Railroad, vintage subway trains, and The Polar Express train models.
The exhibition includes a 34-foot long, double-decker model railroad where trains travel through iconic New York buildings, starting from a miniature Grand Central Station and heading towards the snow-covered North Pole, creating a festive atmosphere.
A new highlight this year is the miniature architectural models created by New York artist Danny Cortes. Inspired by the city’s streetscapes, he meticulously recreated old storefronts, brick walls, signage, and traditional apartment buildings, showcasing the historical charm of various neighborhoods in the city.
The exhibits include replicas of the former well-known electronics store Crazy Eddie, the now-closed La Borinqueña grocery store in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as well as two traditional New York apartment buildings. Additionally, there are fictional community establishments like Eric’s Comic Books and Economy Candy, a longstanding candy store founded in 1937, in miniature form.
Visitors can also purchase holiday gifts at the museum’s gift shop, including subway line-themed t-shirts, wooden train toys, subway token jewelry, and subway map blankets.
The exhibition is located in the New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store within Grand Central Station, with the entrance at the connecting passageway at the intersection of 42nd Street and Park Avenue. It is open from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends, with free admission.