Garden State Club Opens Giant HO Layout, Family Holiday Train Show
The Garden State Model Railway Club will open its doors from November 28 through December 14 for its Annual Holiday Model Train Show in North Haledon. Enthusiasts and families will get a close look at a 1,200 square foot HO scale layout, a new railroad under construction, children's train operation, and for sale items that will support local hobbyists.
The Garden State Model Railway Club will host its Annual Holiday Model Train Show at its North Haledon clubhouse from Friday November 28 through Sunday December 14. The multiweek event will showcase model trains of all kinds on a 1,200 square foot HO scale layout, and promises family friendly activities that aim to appeal to collectors, local modelers, and families with young children.
The club will feature appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends running on the main layout, and a second railroad room will be open to visitors. That room highlights a new railroad currently under construction by club members, offering a rare inside look at work in progress and the techniques that go into planning and wiring a large scale HO layout. A children's railroad will offer a run about layout where kids can try their hand at running trains. The show will also include for sale items from club members to help attendees complete their collections at home.
Admission is $10 for adults, and children under 11 will be admitted free of charge. The event listing on the club website had accumulated 1,474 views and was last updated on November 17, 2025. Contact details including the club website GardenStateTrainClub.org and a phone number are provided through the listing for scheduling and visitor inquiries.
For enthusiasts this show matters on several levels. The large HO layout offers operational inspiration for layout design and scenery, while the open second room will give modelers a practical look at construction methods and staging that they can adapt to their own projects. The children's operations will help introduce a new generation to the hobby and give experienced operators a chance to teach basic control and etiquette. The sales area provides an opportunity to find scarce parts and rolling stock and to support local hobbyists and the club's fundraising efforts.
The Garden State Model Railway Club has long used its holiday show to highlight new projects, recruit members, and raise funds to maintain and expand its facilities. This year the combination of a vast main layout, a work in progress on display, and hands on experiences for children is likely to draw families as well as collectors and local modelers seeking both inspiration and community connections during the holiday season.
