In Toppenish, model railroading is not a thing of the past. And during every Christmas season, parents from around our region have introduced a new generation of kids to the magic of model trains.
Toy Train Christmas attracts thousands of people each year to the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish. This year’s 20th annual event opens the weekend of Nov. 29 and 30, and will continue on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is the museum’s only fundraiser, and it helps keep the museum open to the public from May through October
Toy Train Christmas features a full-size caboose to take the kids to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. There’s also a children’s craft area where kids can create a holiday decoration to take home. There are decorated trees, free hot chocolate and cookies, and several model trains that the children can operate themselves.
The Northern Pacific Railway Museum is in the old Toppenish railroad depot at 10 Asotin Ave. The museum gift shop has holiday gifts including shirts, hats, books, toy trains and jewelry.
Admission has been kept low at $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit nprymuseum.org.