The Duke Energy Holiday Trains are chugging their way back into the Cincinnati Museum Center, rekindling a 78-year-old holiday tradition that has charmed generations of families. With locomotives and rail cars that could collectively stretch nearly a mile if laid end-to-end, this exhibit is a nostalgic nod not just to the yuletide season but also to Cincinnati’s rich railway history. From yesterday, visitors can marvel at a sprawling setup of 50 locomotives and 300 rail cars, orchestrated by skilled engineers who keep this world in pristine motion.
"Think of how many people have come and seen this layout in almost eight decades," Local12 News told Cody Hefner from the Cincinnati Museum Center, highlighting the event's multi-generational appeal. This year, visitors will be greeted by seven different historical model train displays, including one from 1904, meshing the past with the present, where an expansive LEGO exhibit named Brickopolis competes for attention at Union Terminal.
Trainmaster Tom Bredestege, with a personal history intertwined with the B&O railroad and a lifetime of devotion to the tracks, brings a unique passion to Holiday Junction. In a statement obtained by Spectrum News1 that radiates his love for the trade, Bredestege shared, “It’s just something in your blood. It’s a family thing.” As he navigates the trains through the snowy villages and winding tracks on display, his enthusiasm is an unmistakable part of the magic that captivates patrons of all ages.
This season's exhibit is not just the playground for toy locomotives. Visitors can walk through a blizzard of creativity in the Brickopolis area, where LEGO constructions stand impressively and are theme-varied. "You put a handful of people in here and kids in here that are really excited," Hefner told WCPO, describing the vibrant energy the exhibit brings to the museum. Moreover, Santa Claus is scheduled to make a grand entrance via helicopter on Nov. 29, courtesy of UC Health.
The Holiday Junction experience, blending the whimsy of model trains with the ever-popular phenomenon of block-building, remains free for museum members. General admission tickets are available for non-members at $22.50 for adults and $15.50 for children and seniors. The exhibit will stay open until January 6, 2025, allowing ample time for holiday revelers to participate in this timeless Cincinnati tradition.
