An annual tradition - holiday train show - has made its stop at Grand Central Terminal. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.
There are trains at Grand Central Terminal that you are in no danger of missing because they aren't really going anywhere. But they are so realistic you might think they are.
"We have everything from the polar express to M7 Metro North trains and the subway. And we go from Grand Central all the way up to the North Pole on this model," said Regina Asborno, Acting Director at the New York Transit Museum.
The 34-foot-long model railroad layout is the star of the 14th annual Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum's Gallery Annex and Store at Grand Central. The two level setup features eight to 10 trains running at any given time.
"These are running 12 hours a day. They take a beating. We've got to replace some. And sometimes we change them up just to see who notices," said Bill Wander of Lionel Trains.
The museum works with the 115-year-old model train maker Lionel to get the show chugging along. Wander is responsible for making it run just as smooth as the real trains coming and going into Grand Central. Almost as impressive as the tiny choo choos is the layout itself with functioning signal lights, some workers on the railroad, and a hobby shop model with a miniature train set inside.
"I hear all the time that kids don't like trains anymore and that's why they line up outside the door and wait to get in. And I've got some guys who come back day after day after day," Wander said.
There's also a display of vintage model trains from the museum's collection.
While it's all about fun, Wander says there is one rule to abide by at the show.
"Please don't touch the trains. That's my job," Wander said.
Visitors can check out all of the great trains through February 21. It's open seven days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For more information, visit mta.info/museum.