Model Railroad Association Presents Trails Center Show

A Christmas model-train show this month could make your trip to the National Historic Trails Center even more engaging.

Alex Rose, Trails Center interpreter says the Central Wyoming Model Railroad Association offers an interactive showcase.

"This is unique in that we are having model railroads where you can actually operate these trains yourself.  The theme is Christmas,  so for example, we'll have a Christmas train and  a child can put Santa on the back of the train and run the train around the track and maybe drop him at the North Pole, who knows. Anyhow, there are going to be a lot of fun things here and the kids can actual operate these trains."

Rose says there are five different models that will be running including coal powered and diesel locomotives. He adds that trains are an important theme at the trails center, because the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 meant the end of the pioneer trail era.

Admission to the Trails Center will get you into the trains. Adults are $6 dollars and kids up to 15 years old are free.  But the trains, Rose warns,  are only open for part of each week.  "And those days are December 8 through the 10th. The 15th through the 17th. December 22nd, 23rd and then December 27th through the 30th. So the exhibit is only open on certain days and the reason for that is that volunteers from the club will be there to assist folks with these trains."

Rose recommends calling the National Historic Trails Center ahead of time to make sure the exhibit is open the day you want to go.

For more information, contact Alex Rose at the NHTIC, (307) 261-7780.