Toy Trains & Christmas

Watch Toy Trains & Christmas

  • 1969
  • 1 Season

Toy Trains & Christmas is an enchanting holiday program from the house of Janson Media that brings together two of the most cherished things of childhood - toy trains and Christmas. It is a two-hour journey that takes viewers on a tour of some of the most incredible model train displays in stunning locations around the world, all dressed up for Christmas. This magical documentary special encapsulates everything delightful and captivating about Christmas with a special emphasis on the timeless tradition of trains.

The joyous and uplifting holiday special begins by introducing us to the hobby of collecting toy trains and how it takes people back to their childhood. We get to see some awe-inspiring model train setups of differing scales and sizes that have been lovingly engineered, and how each of them reflects the personality and creativity of the individual behind the layout.

The program then takes us on a worldwide journey to explore some of the most notable train exhibits decked out for the festive season. From the Swiss Alps to the Grand Canyon, we experience the wonder and awe of model train exhibitions nestled in their beautiful and exciting surroundings.

The documentary delves into the history of toy train design and how it has evolved to become an important part of holiday traditions. We learn about how trains became an integral component of Christmas celebrations worldwide, from the role of model trains in Christmas literature and movies to the first train set introduced to America by Lionel trains in 1900.

Furthermore, the documentary goes on to feature some of the most elaborate train shows in Europe such as Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany, as well as some of the top train museums in North America. It's fascinating to witness how these train collectors go to great lengths to create impressive track systems, complete with miniature landscapes, buildings, and even people.

Throughout the program, we see a wonderful mix of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and creativity that really sums up the magic of Christmas with trains. Toy Trains & Christmas also showcases the personal accounts of some passionate train enthusiasts, who share their thoughts and feelings about the hobby and the joy it brings to them during the festive season.

The documentary is complemented by an immersive soundtrack that heightens the viewing experience of the beautiful model train displays. It's a stunning collection of seasonal music and ambient sound effects that coalesce to make the show an awe-inspiring experience for enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

In conclusion, Toy Trains & Christmas captures the essence of what makes the festive season so special in a way that's heartfelt, charming, and universally appealing. It's an excellent family-friendly program that presents a fun and informative overview of toy trains, the passion behind their collections and how it feeds so perfectly into the spirit of Christmas. Ultimately, the documentary special is a heart-warming tribute to the nostalgia of a bygone era while illustrating the relevance, cultural importance, and pure enjoyment of the toy train hobby to modern-day enthusiasts.

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Seasons
Part 3
3. Part 3
 
Bill Kern is an authority on Dept. 56 and Lionel trains. He combines both on a beautiful, snow-covered layout. Bill covers the history of Dept. 56 starting with Snow Village in 1976. Dave Baumgartner tells a poignant story of how he lost and found the prewar Lionel trains he and his dad set-up every Christmas. Plus an entire cottage filled with Lionel toy trains and over 200,000 lights.
Part 2
2. Part 2
 
Artist Angela Thomas' paintings capture the essence of why toy trains are so popular today - they take us back to a time when a toy train chugged around our Christmas tree. Along with husband Bob, they built a Christmas layout and a replica of a 1950's hobby shop. Also a layout featuring American Flyer toy trains and Dept. 56 buildings plus the original music by James Coffey.
Part 1
1. Part 1
 
Traditional Christmas songs mixed with toy trains running around elaborate Christmas exhibits - a large G scale display in Chicago's Hancock Building lobby, a Christmas layout featuring Marx trains, and another with Lionel trains zipping around four different Dept. 56 Villages. Captures the joy, mystery, and excitement of toy trains and Christmas.
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