MODEL TRAINS CONTINUE A TIME-HONORED TRADITION at the Brandywine River Museum

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MODEL TRAINS CONTINUE A TIME-HONORED
TRADITION AT THE BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM
(AUGUST, 2001; #044)

For the 29th year in a row, the Brandywine River Museum's renowned model trains will wind through the second floor gallery this holiday season from November 23 to January 6, 2002.

The museum's O-gauge railway runs on 2,000 feet of track and features a farm, village, food-processing plant, oil refinery, animated skaters on a frozen pond, mountains, running waterfall and, of course, trains! Up to five trains (one is 60 cars long) move through this miniature landscape as a scaled version of Santa and his sleigh fly above.

A legendary part of the annual A Brandywine Christmas exhibitions, the railway has undergone constant expansion and improvement over the years. Last year, the museum welcomed to the tracks a restored set of coaches, including a Pullman diner and service car originally owned by Pierre S. du Pont III. This year, two new Union Pacific engines will wind their way through the familiar landscape and past a new concrete plant.

Accompanying the layout this season will be a special case display exhibiting almost 80 years of American Flyer trains. Now the property of Lionel Trains, Inc., the American Flyer line, known for its realistic trains and two-rail tracks, was once Lionel's main competitor. Fueled by large advertising budgets, these two companies dominated the American toy train market throughout most of the 20th century, each garnering its own loyal following. It is rare to see these once-common toys in such unblemished condition. The exhibition will feature objects from the museumís collection as well as items in near-pristine condition lent by private train enthusiasts, including the 1936 Hiawatha, one of American Flyer's extensive series of "streamliners."

The Brandywine River Museum's Railroad has been a holiday tradition for nearly three decades, and each year the museum looks forward to welcoming first-time and returning visitors. Young children and adults young at heart will surely delight in the non-stop action of the railroad.

Continuing through January 6, 2002, A Brandywine Christmas is made possible through generous grants from The Frelinghuysen Foundation and other supporters.

The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Christmas Day. Admission is $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors ages 65 and over and students; free for children under six and members. For more information, call (610) 388-2700
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Brandywine River Museum, U.S. Route 1 and PA Route 100
P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
For more information send email to: inquiries@brandywine.org
© 2001 Brandywine Conservancy

Return to News Page \| Return Home
MODEL TRAINS CONTINUE A TIME-HONORED TRADITION AT THE BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM (AUGUST, 2001; #044) For the 29th year in a row, the Brandywine River Museum's renowned model trains will wind through the second floor gallery this holiday season from November 23 to January 6, 2002. The museum's O-gauge railway runs on 2,000 feet of track and features a farm, village, food-processing plant, oil refinery, animated skaters on a frozen pond, mountains, running waterfall and, of course, trains! Up to five trains (one is 60 cars long) move through this miniature landscape as a scaled version of Santa and his sleigh fly above. A legendary part of the annual A Brandywine Christmas exhibitions, the railway has undergone constant expansion and improvement over the years. Last year, the museum welcomed to the tracks a restored set of coaches, including a Pullman diner and service car originally owned by Pierre S. du Pont III. This year, two new Union Pacific engines will wind their way through the familiar landscape and past a new concrete plant. Accompanying the layout this season will be a special case display exhibiting almost 80 years of American Flyer trains. Now the property of Lionel Trains, Inc., the American Flyer line, known for its realistic trains and two-rail tracks, was once Lionel's main competitor. Fueled by large advertising budgets, these two companies dominated the American toy train market throughout most of the 20th century, each garnering its own loyal following. It is rare to see these once-common toys in such unblemished condition. The exhibition will feature objects from the museumís collection as well as items in near-pristine condition lent by private train enthusiasts, including the 1936 Hiawatha, one of American Flyer's extensive series of "streamliners." The Brandywine River Museum's Railroad has been a holiday tradition for nearly three decades, and each year the museum looks forward to welcoming first-time and returning visitors. Young children and adults young at heart will surely delight in the non-stop action of the railroad. Continuing through January 6, 2002, A Brandywine Christmas is made possible through generous grants from The Frelinghuysen Foundation and other supporters. The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Christmas Day. Admission is $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors ages 65 and over and students; free for children under six and members. For more information, call (610) 388-2700 Top of Page Top of Page
Brandywine River Museum, U.S. Route 1 and PA Route 100 P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 For more information send email to: inquiries@brandywine.org © 2001 Brandywine Conservancy