Trains and the holidays go together like peanut butter and jelly. There is just something about the sound of a train chugging around the base of an evergreen that brings people back to a simpler time. “There is always that iconic image of a train going around the Christmas tree, people coming home for the holidays and kids wanting a toy train set … a popular present back then,” said Susan Whitaker, from Schenectady’s Museum of Innovation and Science. Whitaker said it’s that nostalgic feeling that brings people back to the museum year after year for miSci’s annual holiday train exhibit. “It just captivates people,” she said. “I see it every year, multigenerational groups of family members come and watch them, point out things and talk to each other. It has become a family tradition.” Whitaker said the adults are just as excited as the kids to see the trains, and she finds parents and grandparents eager to share the experience as a cherished piece of their own childhood memories. Whitaker adds that the model trains are a sure sign of the holiday season at miSci, and each year visitors from across the region visit the museum to catch a glimpse of the model trains in action. Every year, volunteers from Upstate Train Associates construct elaborate displays of running model trains at the museum. This year’s creation is a 19-by-27-foot display of running O Gauge model trains, the trains most people know as the Lionel trains. “There is an amusement area, downtown area, industrial area, which includes classic Lionel pieces that move and some buttons kids can press to make the cows move on and off the car. There is also a log loader unloader and something for coal,” said Chris Hunter, curator of collections and exhibits. The volunteers spend the entire year working on the layout.
“They always try to add something new,” Whitaker said.
Over the years, items such as an amusement park with Santa riding a roller coaster and a pair of children ice skating on a pond have been added. “It’s always been one of our most popular events,” Hunter said. “It’s wonderful to see families enjoy the model trains together. We see grandparents bring their grandchildren and then tour them around the galleries pointing out objects, such as some of the first television and radios, and be able to share memories of what it was like when these technologies were brand new … these experiences are a great springboard to exploring new technologies on display throughout miSci.” Hunter said the trains are a major inspiration to get kids interested in science and engineering. “They start with trains and move on to erector sets or something where they can actually start building themselves,” he said. The model trains have been operating through the Upstate Train Associates since 1991. The group is an organization that was established in 1969 made up of model train enthusiasts. “They have been helping up for years and years. They love trains and are happy to display their trains here,” Whitaker said. The display takes about a week to set up.
“There are a variety of different trains and locomotives from different eras and different rail lines. The New York Central and Santa Fe are the more popular ones,” Hunter said. Hunter added that there are three sets of tracks so three locomotives can be going at one time.
In addition to the model trains, this year’s holiday exhibit also features toys most kids don’t have at home such as a walk-on piano, oversized building blocks and a variety of other science and technology-related toys. “We thought that since people were coming to see the trains, we would have hands-on things that they can do,” said Mac Sudduth, director at miSci. “That’s part of the new miSci, to provide the hands-on opportunities to explore and learn by doing.” In addition to the trains and toys, for an extra fee, the museum will be offering a holiday planetarium show, “’Tis the Season.” “The ‘’Tis the Season’ show talks about different celebrations that have come about around the winter solstice and how different cultures wanted to find ways of bringing light to such a dark time of year, “ said Megan Dominguez, the museum’s planetarium manager. The show is a collection of images along with a narrative and festive background music.
“It holds the attention of the whole family,” she said, adding that with all of the planetarium shows, a live tour of the current night sky will be included. The trains are on display through Monday, Jan. 20, at miSci, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. The exhibit is free with museum admission. The “’Tis the Season” planetarium show opens on Friday, Nov. 29, with shows daily at 2 p.m. in addition to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Admission to the planetarium is $5. The museum is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit misci.org.