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, etc. to webmaster@wvmgrs.org
Special thanks to Jeff Schmaltz and Chris Hancock for putting together this year's list.

Applewood Farm, 4435 Prospect Road, Whiteford, MD. "Christmas at Applewood". Eight model train displays and The Applewood Express, a miniature 1870's vintage steam train that will carry guests on a scenic 6/10 mile tour. Plus Christmas trees, reindeer programs, hayrides, petting zoo, kiddy maze, snowball bowling, reindeer antler toss, & 1773 log barn. November 29 through December 21, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am - 4pm. "Brite Lites Christmas Train" night time train ride, 5pm - 7:30pm, November 29, 30, December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28. Special Brite Lites train to benefit Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, November 28. 410-836-1140, www.applewoodfarm.org

Arbutus Auto Painting and Bodyworks, 4621 Leeds Ave., Arbutus, MD. is hosting its 11th annual holiday train garden. November 29 through January 3. Monday through Friday, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Saturdays 10am - 8pm and Sundays 10am -7pm, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Closed on Christmas and New Year's Day. There is a collection box for non-perishable food items for Southwest Emergency Services. (Please note, NOT open during business hours, website is out of date.) arbutusauto.com

Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department, 5200 Southwestern Blvd. Baltimore, MD. 15th Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Garden, new designs every year. November 23 through January 3, Weeknights 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Weekends 11:00am - 8:30pm, Christmas Eve, New Year Eve, and New Year's Day 11:00am - 4:00pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 410-242-6601, www.arbutusvfd.org

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD. Holiday celebration of toy trains and model railroading layouts beginning with the arrival of Santa by locomotive on Friday, November 28. The festival features many different layouts including the Museum’s “HO” model train layout in the C&O #725 passenger car and the outdoor “G” scale layout. Children can ride the train with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays through December 21. Train rides Tuesdays through Saturdays. November 28 - December 30, Monday through Friday 10am - 4pm. Saturday 10am - 5pm. Sunday, 11am - 4pm. Closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year's Eve and Day. 410-752-2490, www.borail.org

Baltimore City Fire Department, Engine Company 45 and Truck Company 27, 2700 Glen Avenue, Baltimore, MD. Continuing a longtime tradition, the Baltimore City Fire Department has opened its 52nd 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 and is expected to draw more than 10,000 people. Operating daily 10am - 9pm from December 1 through January 6. 410-396-0171.

Baltimore Society of Model Engineers, 225 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD. Open House 2nd Sunday of the month, 1pm - 5pm. Two large (12'x65') layouts featuring diesel, steam trains, and trolleys in HO and O scale, operating Thomas the Tank Engine model. Additional static model displays, 34 authentic railroad heralds, and railroad manufacturer's publicity photos. Special Holiday open house dates: December 6, 14, and 20, January 1, 4, 11, 18, and 25, and February 8. Santa will be there on December 6 & 20. 410-837-2763 (Friday evenings), www.modelengineers.com

Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. The Washington Virginia Maryland Garden Railway Society returns for its fourth year to operate a garden railway inside the south conservatory. A winter display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants and evergreens are combined in bright and bold combinations to provide a colorful landscape for the garden railway trains to travel through. December 6 through January 4, 10am - 5pm daily (closed Christmas). Conservatories are also open for "Garden of Lights" ticket holders, 5:30pm - 8:30pm, on the same dates (closed Christmas Eve and Day). 301-962-1400, www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/brookside

Brunswick Railroad Museum, 40 West Potomac Street, Brunswick, MD. For over 30 years, the Museum has preserved the history of Brunswick. Known during the Civil War as Berlin, this small town along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was incorporated as Brunswick in 1890. That same year the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad began construction of the 5 mile railyard that would reshape Brunswick into a company town with a population of over 5000! See lots of real trains running just down the street! Fridays 10am - 2pm, Saturdays 10amp - 4pm, Sundays, 1pm - 4pm. 301-834-7100, www.brrm.net

Calvert Hospice 20th Annual Festival of Trees, Huntingtown High School, 4125 North Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown, MD. Trees, trains, and craft vendors. November 28-30, Friday 6pm - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 8pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm. 410-535-0892, 301-855-1226, www.calverthospice.org

Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster, MD. The Four County Society of Model Engineers will have their Modular HO layout displayed during the Holiday Tours Weekends. December 5-7 and 12-14, Fridays, 10am - 4pm, Saturdays, 10am - 7pm, Sundays, 10am - 5pm. 410-386-3880, www.carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org

Carroll County Library Headquarters, 1100 Green Valley Rd., New Windsor, MD (formerly The New Windsor Middle School). The Four County Society of Model Engineers will have their Modular HO layout set up during the Holiday Season. November 28 through January 4. Wednesdays, 6pm - 9pm (no Christmas and New Years eve), Fridays, 6pm - 9pm, Saturdays, 9am - 6pm, Sundays, 12pm - 6pm. 703-759-2771, www.library.carr.org

Centre at Glen Burnie, 6711 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD. Claus Toy Company Train. See this huge, hand-constructed G-scale model train featuring Santa's Toy Company and Distribution Center November 1st through December 31st, during mall hours. 410-766-6529, www.thecentreatglenburnie.com

Chantilly Bible Church, 4390 Pleasant Valley Rd, Chantilly, VA. Come see the Piedmont Modular Club HO layout, an O Scale Lionel winter layout, a large Lego Train display, and a large scale train that kids can run. Saturday, December 13, 10am - 3pm. 703-263-1188, www.chantillybible.org

College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD. "Holiday Trains and Planes" Exhibit. During the holiday season College Park Aviation Museum gets ready for the festivities as miniature trains, villages, tunnels, and depots spark the imagination and bring history to life. The National Capital Trackers bring a fascinating and constantly moving display of model railroads to the Museum. Saturday, December 13 through Saturday, December 20, 10am - 5pm. 30l-864-6029; TTY 30l-864-4765, www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Colvin Run Mill Historic Site, 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls, VA. Trains travel through a snowy western landscape. Saturday & Sunday December 20-21, 11am - 4pm. 703-759-2771, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/crm/

Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society, 4 Center Place, Dundalk, MD. This year's train garden 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 25 action scenes. Open December 5 through the January 4. Open seven days a week Noon - 8pm. Closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. The museum will also feature a display of German incense burners, "whirlies", stuffed animals, and ornaments. Call 410-284-2331 for more information.

Earleigh Heights Fire House, 161 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. Each year the Baltimore Area American Flyer Club sets up a popular and much-awaited train show one day each Christmas season. It’s different each year and always a surprise. Sunday December 14, 9am - 2pm. 410-647-1990.

Ellicott City B&O Railroad Museum, 2711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City, MD. "Holiday Festival of Trains" Bring the family down to the Ellicott City Station for the ALL NEW 2008 Holiday Festival of Trains. The star of this year’s Festival in Ellicott City is a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine G-scale model layout along with a brand new custom-built, multi-level O-scale model train layout. Opening November 28 and running through January 25. The museum will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am – 4pm, closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Saturdays, December 13th & 20th, Santa Claus will greet visitors in station’s very own red caboose. 410-461-1944, www.ecborail.org

Ellicott City Fire Company #2, 4150 Montgomery Road Ellicott City, MD. 11th Annual Train Garden. A 24 x 10 Foot display that largely fills a glass-walled room. Coal locomotives, Switch tracks, flashing train signals. In all there are eight trains, including a circus train, an Amtrak passenger train and a long freight train that course along various tracks, on various levels, chugging into tunnels, disappearing into and then emerging from snow-covered mountains. There’s a carousel and a North Pole scene, complete with Santa Claus and his elves. Open December 6 through January 4. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 11am - 8:00pm, Wednesday through Friday 6:30 - 8:30pm. Call 410-313-2036 for additional information and additional hours.

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, VA. 19th Annual Model Train Display. Almost all scales are represented by our model train clubs: Lionel, HO, O, N, Standard, Z and Lego inside the museum and caboose, and the Garden scale outside encircling the museum. Santa will be there, and if the weather cooperates, we also will have numerous antique cars on display. Saturday December 6 10am - 5pm, Sunday December 7 Noon - 4pm. 703-425-9225, www.fairfax-station.org

Fire Museum of Maryland, 1301 York Road, Lutherville, MD. "Trains of Christmas" Come see the Holiday train garden! Open every Saturday only November 29 through December 20, Daily December 27-30, 10am - 4pm. 410-321-7500, www.firemuseummd.org

Frederick County Society of Model Engineers, 423 East Patrick Street (near the Great Frederick Fairgrounds) in Frederick, MD. The club HO and HOn3 layout is housed in a restored heavyweight Chesapeake & Ohio six-door baggage type car. A G-scale layout is adjacent to the car. Open House Schedule is as follows. All dates are 1pm - 4pm. City of Frederick, Children's Weekend, December 13-14; Annual Winter Open Houses, January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1. fcsme.com

Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 300 S. Burhan’s Boulevard (US11), Hagerstown, MD. The "Trains of Christmas" Show features an "O" Scale 3-Rail Christmas layout with steam and diesel trains by Lionel, MTH, Williams, Weaver, and others operating in snow scene on four levels. The smoke and sounds of the steam and diesel locomotives fill the air with railroading past and present. Our "O" and "HO" trains will also be in operation. Railroad artifacts, photos, trains for kids to run, and a gift shop too. November 21 - March 1, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 1pm - 5pm. 301-739-4665, www.roundhouse.org

Herndon Depot Museum, Model Train Display at the Herndon ArtSpace, 750 Center St., Herndon, VA. Caboose Open House at 765 Lynn Street, Herndon, December 13 & 14, Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday Noon - 4pm. www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org

Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Set amid lavish banks of the nursery’s Christmas flowers and decorations, this stunning train garden offers so much to see that benches are set up around the display. With 7 G-gauge trains running through a wonderland of lavish scenery. Animated skiers and cable cars traverse the slopes under natural light pouring through the translucent roof. Display runs November 15 through January 1, Monday through Friday 9am - 7pm, Saturday 8am - 7pm, and Sunday 9am - 6pm. Check for extended hours during the holiday season. Visit after dark and also enjoy their unique and spectacular outdoor light display. 301-261-4550, 410-798-5000, www.homesteadgardens.com

Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company, 3825 Federal Hill Road, Jarrettsville, MD. 27th Annual Train Garden open from November 28 through January 18. Open 6:30pm - 9pm Fridays, 1pm - 9pm Saturdays and Sundays, Also 6:30pm - 9pm December 29-30. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. 410-692-7890, www.jarrettsvillevfc.com

Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Festival of Trees, Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD. An extravaganza of fairyland forests, gingerbread towns and toy train gardens, complimented by over 100 craft boutiques, holiday goodies and activities for kids of all ages, also nightly entertainment for the whole family! November 28-30, Friday & Saturday 10am - 9pm, Sunday 10am - 6pm. festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

Liriodendron Mansion Holiday Model Train & Village Show, 502 West Gordon Street, Bel Air, MD. For the second year, members of the Harford Modular Railroad Group will fill the downstairs rooms with a model train layout that will run in one continuous display through the main rooms. Upstairs rooms will feature a train shop, a hands-on train set up for kids, and three rooms of villages. The mansion will be decorated for Christmas. A great event for all ages! December 12-21, Tuesday through Friday 4pm - 8pm, Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday 10am - 6pm, Monday the 15th, special day for seniors and foundation members, 10am - 3pm. 410-838-3942, www.liriodendron.com/index.html

Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, 3209 Main Street, Manchester, MD. Manchester Train Garden, Come and see this Spectacular Holiday Train Garden with over 500 sq. feet of entertainment for the whole family which includes Antique Trains, Hot Rods, and Disney Characters. November 29 through December January 4, Saturdays and Sundays Noon - 6pm. Also November 28 and December 19, 6pm - 9:30pm. 410-239-2286, www.manchestervfd.org

Marley Station Mall, 7900 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD. Holiday Train Garden. A tradition in Glen Burnie for 15 years. Created by the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, this legendary display features a 300-foot landscaped garden and includes a number of interactive elements for the enjoyment of parents and children alike. Opening November 15 and running through December 31. 410-766-2033, www.shopmarleystation.com

Morton's Model Railroads, 2000 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD, Open houses beginning November 29, Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm - 6 pm. mortonmodelrailroad.com

Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, 702 N Main Street, Mount Airy, MD. 4th Annual Holiday Train Garden November 29 through January 4. Saturdays & Sundays Noon - 6pm. 301-829-0100 ext. 17, www.mavfc.org

Museum of Eastern Shore Life, 126 Dulin Clark Road, Centreville, MD. Christmas Train Show. All kinds of electric trains and antiques, from Z to G, in the 4-H Exhibition Hall. And Santa will be there! Christmas village, Santa Claus will be present, refreshment served. December 6-7 & 13-14, Saturday & Sunday Noon - 5pm, 410-758-8640, www.mesl.us

The National Christmas Tree, The Ellipse, Washington, DC. What's a Christmas tree without a train running around it? Enjoy large scale trains encircling "our" Christmas Tree (and all the other decorations). December 4 through January 1, 11 - 11 daily. 202-208-1631, www.nps.gov/whho/national_christmas_tree_program.htm

Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, 231 Dominion Road, Vienna, VA. The NVMR is a HO scale model railroad layout that is on permanent display at the Vienna station. The club models a small railroad, the Western North Carolina, set in the 1950's. Open Houses November 15 and December 13, 1pm - 5pm, and open December 1 6pm - 9pm for the Holiday Stroll. 703-938-5157, www.nvmr.org

Ocean City Holiday Train Gardens, 109 Dorchester Street, 1 block off the Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD. Saturday 1pm to 4pm. www.atlanticbreezes.com/oceancitymaryland/christmas/traingardens.shtml

Pleasant Valley Community Fire Company, 2030 South Pleasant Valley Road, Westminster, MD. "Christmas in the Valley" The train garden has been redesigned for the 2008 holiday season and features several new attractions as well as some favorites from past train garden displays. Grand Opening November 15 from 9am - 3pm, then each Saturday and Sunday November 22 through January 4, from Noon - 4pm. Christmas Eve 3pm - 7pm. December 26, 29, 30 from 4pm - 8pm, December 27 and 28, from Noon - 6pm. 410-848-1977, www.pleasantvalleyfire.org

Prince William County Model Railroad Club, Quantico Depot, 550 Railroad Street, Quantico, VA. The PWMRC has a HO layout at the historic Quantico Depot. Open Houses December 6, 7 (for the Quantico Parade), 13, 20, 27, and January 3, 10am - 4 pm. www.pwmrc.org

Rockville Lions Club, Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive, Rockville, MD. 18th Annual Modular Train Show. The show features several rooms of large operating displays of model railroads – Z, N, and HO Scales; a Garden Railway Setup in G-Scale; a Lionel modular setup; and a Lego layout – provided by local Model Railroad Associations. Their members are always eager to talk with visitors about their railway systems and the designs, as well as share insights or answer any questions about model railroading. Saturday November 8, 10am - 4pm and Sunday November 9, Noon - 4pm. www.rockvillelions.org

St. Clement's Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road, Colton’s Point, MD. This 23rd annual event opens at the St. Clement’s Island Museum to enthrall the young and young-at-heart with the spirit of the holidays! The museum will be filled with antique and collectible dolls and toys, with holiday decorations and music. A miniature train station will fill the Little Red Schoolhouse where children can take the controls. This year's theme is the celebration of the Gingerbread House! December 2 through January 4. Wednesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 4 pm. 301-769-2222, www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/museums/stclementsisland.asp

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. Open House December 6 & 7, Noon - 5pm. Also open December 5, 5:30pm - 7pm for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. www.mrhyde.net/spmrrc/

The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, MD. "Making Tracks to Kenilworth for the Holidays". Every year for the past 20 years The Shops at Kenilworth displays its renowned holiday train garden. This fascinating tradition has become a holiday spectacle for hundreds of people who arrive at the mall in anticipation of the vast electric train display. The vast exhibit of trains, bridges, and animated figures has been expanded this year to be more exciting than ever. In addition to an extra 32 feet of viewing area, there are more figures, bridges, and interactive push button animations. In its eighteenth year, this spectacular 92-foot-long electronic train display pulls into the station on November 28 and runs through January 5. Monday through Saturday 10am - 9pm and Sunday Noon - 5pm. 410-321-1909, www.theshopsatkenilworth.com/

South Columbia Baptist Church, 8814 Guilford Road, Columbia, MD. The Meade Area Railroad Society and the Northern Virginia N Track organization will present the train garden open house on Saturday, December 13 from Noon - 9 pm. That same evening there will be an Adult Choir presentation and the church drama troupe will present a play. 410-381-1877, www.scbc-md.org

Sudlersville Train Station Museum, 101 Linden Street, Sudlersville, MD. Old Fashioned Christmas. Museum open, model train running, refreshments. December 6 & 13 Saturday 10am - 2pm. 410-438-3501, www.historicqac.org

Sykesville and Patapsco Railway, Downtown Sykesville, MD. This display of railroad history includes a 1910 Pullman Parlor Car, 1927 B&O Caboose, 1910 Interlocking Tower with N, HO, O, G-gauge and American Flyer model train displays. Open house Saturday December 6, Noon to 9pm, in conjunction with the Sykesville tree lighting ceremony, which runs from 6pm - 9pm that evening. Train displays also open Saturday December 13 & January 3, Sunday December 7 & 14, January 4, Noon - 4pm. Open houses are normally held the 1st Sunday of each month from 1pm - 5pm. 410-795-3157, www.sykesvilleandpatapscorailway.org

Tan’s Motorcycle Shop, 9032 Chesapeake Beach Avenue, North Beach, MD. Since Christmas 2000, Tan’s Motorcycles has set up a huge Lionel model train display with village, tunnels, roads, pond, waterfall and more. It’s grown to a 20-by-20-foot display with 16 trains, two waterfalls, an airport complete with touch-and-go model plane, a disappearing train tunnel, pond, skating resort and more buildings in the model villages. November 28 through January 24. Monday through Friday 3pm - 8pm, Saturday 2pm - 5pm, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 10am - 5 pm. 410-257-6619. www.tanscyclesparts.com

Tidewater Big Train Operators Club, Avalon Church of Christ, 844 Woodstock Road, Virginia Beach, VA. An indoor display with many large scale trains running. December 6-7, 2pm - 9pm, December 8-12, 6pm - 8:30pm, December 13, Saturday 10am - 4pm. www.tbto.org

Union Station, 40 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington DC. "12th Annual Norwegian Christmas at Union Station" Catch the excitement and the holiday spirit as you watch this year's new train move through a beautiful and authentic Norwegian winter landscape complete with mountains and fjords of Norway, farms, a fishing village, a stave church, a ski jump, imaginary mountain trolls and much more. Display open November 25 through January 3, Monday through Saturday 10am - 7pm, and Sunday Noon - 6pm. 202-289-1908, www.unionstationdc.com or www.norway.org/Embassy/embassy.htm

U. S. Botanic Garden, West Gallery, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. The U.S. Botanic Garden's train and plant display this year will be "Windows to Wonderland". The display will be all indoors, in the East Gallery, but is designed so that it can be seen from the outside when the Conservatory is closed. So we can press our noses against the window, just like the child in all of us. Display opens November 27 and runs through January 4, 10am - 5pm daily. Extended evening hours until 8pm on December 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 30. 202-225-8333, www.usbg.gov

Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Department, 214 Wise Avenue, Dundalk, MD. 28th Holiday Train Display. November 29 through January 4. Weeknights 6pm - 9pm, Weekends Noon - 9pm, closed Christmas Day. 410-288-0710.