Time and again, it has happened.
An antique model train has come chugging down the tracks, smoke billowing from its engine at the annual free Christmas Village gathering at The Commons.
And the nostalgia somehow literally has brought a few pint-sized, wide-eyed and mesmerized youngsters to their knees as they stop close up to see the scene unfold.
Bob Morrison, a former president and one of the charter members of the 25-year-old Columbus Area Railroad Club, understands.
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“Somehow, I think there always has been a fascination with trains, even from the windup sets,” Morrison said. “You have to remember that locomotives were at one time almost like spaceships.
“Certainly, shows like as Thomas the Tank Engine are where kids today often get their first taste of trains. And obviously, because of that, these kids think trains talk.”
Truth be told, they figuratively do indeed — and they probably will again at the 2019 version of the Christmas Village Dec. 7 at The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus. What they will say, with the help of Morrison and his railroad club friends, is that toyland tradition and Christmas go together seamlessly for young and old alike. The event unfolds from 2 to 4:30 p.m., but club members actually will start their multiple trains by noon.
Former Mayor Kristen Brown launched the first Christmas Village in 2013 at The Commons with a mix of food and gift vendors, church choirs, gingerbread houses and the railroaders. It drew raves and more than 1,000 people. The event that now attracts 2,000 people or more also features an appearance by Santa each year.
Last year’s incarnation of the holiday happening drew even more than that last year. The village precedes the 6 p.m. Festival of Lights parade along Washington Street and also the QMIX Christmas Musical Fireworks at about 7:30 p.m. Together, the events attract 6,000-plus people, according to organizers.
The village this year will include children’s games and activities, snacks and city employees engaged in a gingerbread house competition via ingredients from Ashlynn Leigh Cakes. Village attendees will be encouraged to vote with money for their favorite.
Commons Manager Shanda Sasse, one of the organizers of the Christmas Village, loves how the club uses its ties to the past to make the present so magical for so many who grew up with a train winding around a home Christmas tree.
“They bring such a sense of wonder and delight to the event by sharing their hobby and their passion with the community,” Sasse said. “They add so much to the event.
“It’s great to see the kids light up (over the trains), but it’s good also to see the adults really take an interest in the model train displays. They really seem to capture people’s imagination in today’s high-tech world.”
Morrison’s first train that actively made part of his childhood was a Mid-American Flyer he began playing with at age 5. He passed along his love to daughter Julia Morrison, who often presided over train displays in the original Commons. He understands if people aren’t certain of what to expect from railroad club members if they’ve never met them.
“Sometimes, people get an idea that we’re gonna be overgrown, adolescent-oriented men standing around wearing choo-choo train hats and making woo-woo noises,” he said, laughing.
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What: Annual Christmas Village for families.
When: Official hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7. But the railroad club will begin running their trains at noon that day.
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Activities: Model trains running, crafts, snacks, children writing letters to Santa, children’s games, city employee gingerbread house competition (with the public voting).
Information: Facebook page for Christmas Village.
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