If you’re looking for a bit of Christmas magic to indulge in this season, you’ll find it tucked inside a cozy clubhouse on Philadelphia Avenue, where the Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club has unveiled its annual holiday display. With twinkling lights, themed scenes, and trains winding through snowy villages, it’s a timeless celebration of the season you won’t want to miss.
The Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club is once again inviting the public to experience its Christmas display, a festive tradition that has become a favorite in Egg Harbor City. Featuring multiple interactive layouts and decades of model train history, the exhibit offers something new each year. The holiday display originally began in 2020 and has continued to grow and attract more visitors annually.
“The holiday display was inspired from ‘Days Gone By’ as they say. The nostalgic past time of model trains running at Christmas time brings back memories from your childhood when you visited your grandparents’ home during the holidays or those beautifully decorated window displays in city department stores,” Club President and Co-Founder John Barbieri said.
Inside the clubhouse, there are four operational displays with more than 70 interactive push buttons that control the accessories. Each display is unique, with its own theme designed to keep visitors exploring for hours. There’s even a scavenger hunt for all ages, and those who complete it receive a special treat. Club members bring in pieces from their personal collections, keeping the displays fresh and allowing visitors to see different trains every time they stop by. The assortment includes both new and old model trains, some dating back to 1938.
While the Christmas display is the big seasonal draw, guests are encouraged to stay and experience the three other impressive layouts as well. There is an operating LEGO display, a Western-themed display, and the club’s main layout, which features 10 operating tracks, including a subway and Thomas the Tank Engine. A fifth display is currently in the works: a pre-war layout featuring trains and accessories from the 1940s and ’50s, coming soon to the clubhouse.
“Our display is constantly changing with the times. We talk to our visitors and ask them to give us an honest assessment of our display. We take their feedback and see if we can incorporate these ideas. Our members also provide feedback that allows the club to move forward in a positive manner,” Barbieri said.
While the holiday spirit fills the clubhouse each year, Barbieri shared that the biggest challenge behind the scenes is the maintenance and upkeep of the trains and accessories. “As a nonprofit organization we rely on the public’s donations to help offset unexpected expenses. The model train industry is very expensive. As an example, if one of our accessories needs to be replaced or serviced, the cost can be upwards of $200 to $600 per item.”
A lot goes into creating these displays and keeping them fresh every year, but for the club members, that’s part of the fun. They enjoy building, designing, and putting their own personal spin on the layouts, as well as sharing their passion with the public. Barbieri said the biggest reward of all is simply hearing a visitor say how great everything looks.
“We hope our visitors both young and old take away a positive experience after visiting our display and interacting with our members. It’s a place where people of all ages can reminisce about their childhood and reflect on their experiences growing up with model trains. But most importantly, it’s a safe place to bring their children and grandchildren and hopefully be introduced to a hobby that they can participate in,” Barbieri said.
As the holiday season continues, the Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club invites families, longtime train enthusiasts, and curious first-time visitors to stop in and experience the wonder for themselves. With its ever-changing layouts, community-focused mission, and dedication to keeping a timeless tradition alive, the clubhouse has become a cherished local destination.
Whether you come for the Christmas magic or simply to enjoy the craftsmanship behind the displays, one thing is certain: You’ll leave with a smile, a bit of nostalgia, and maybe even a newfound appreciation for the world of model trains.
The public is invited to view the model train displays from now until Jan. 18 every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clubhouse is located at 244 Philadelphia Ave, in Egg Harbor City, and is waiting to welcome you in.
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DLC Media, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
