The West Florida Railroad Museum continues their tradition of celebrating the holiday season by inviting residents to their annual Lionel Christmas event, which features four different scale model railroad Christmas-themed displays and a children’s riding train.
George Wilson, a board member with the West Florida Railroad Museum, Inc., said residents can both enjoy the scale model displays while learning about the museum’s history.
“We are family-friendly and we are educational and fun at the same time,” Wilson said. “While they are exposed to the model trains they also get to look at part of the history (of the train depot). This building was originally built in 1909 and our freight cars and passenger cars range from the mid-20’s to the 50’s of the last century.”
Wilson said the Lionel event continues to draw a crowd throughout the month of December and the first weekend in January.
“This is the time of year where we can expect to see the most new people,” Wilson said. “We enjoy the opportunity this provides us to expose (the museum) to more people.”
The holiday event has even drawn in tourists, according to Wilson, who said he recently spoke to a couple from Austria at the depot. Wilson also added many visitors have told him they were unaware the depot was located in Milton. However, Wilson said the museum’s staff is up to the task of providing the museum as a source of historical significance.
“We enjoy being here and being able to answer the questions and provide some of the history both of the area and the railroads themselves,” Wilson said.
The event is free to attend and donations are graciously accepted.
WHAT: A Lionel Christmas at the West Florida Railroad Museum
WHEN: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays: December 4, 11, 18 and January 1. Saturdays: December 5, 12, 19, 26 and January 2
WHERE: The West Florida Railroad Museum, located at 5003 Henry Street in Milton
COST: Free admission and parking, donations are accepted
INFO: For more information on the West Florida Railroad Museum, visit their website at wfrm.org
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: West Florida Railroad Museum celebrates holidays with 'Lionel Christmas'