By: Tamanya Garza, Marketing & Social Media Specialist
1) The first O-gauge train display for A Brandywine Christmas was created in 1973 by Kirk Lindvig and Jeff Punderson.
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Kirk Lindvig and Jeff Punderson
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2) Minions, Kevin, Stuart, Bob and a small army of their friends keep sneaking into the display. Have you caught them trying to board a train?
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3) Our present train expert, Steven Clarke, assumed responsibilities as Chief Engineer in 1976. He has entirely rebuilt the display, adding to it while overseeing operations and maintenance.
4) David Jensen has worked on our display for 29 years and has contributed many additions and improvements. Joseph Bauer, our third train expert, has worked on our display for 18 years. All three are on hand throughout the holiday season to operate and repair equipment, and to answer your train questions on the spot - including being interviewed for this list.
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Steven Clarke
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David Jensen
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Joseph Bauer
5) There is a tiny replica of Andrew Wyeth’s studio in Maine including Andrew’s son Nicky Wyeth flying a model plane on one of the hillsides in the display.
6) Every year different movies are chosen to play at the drive-in theater. This year one of the movies is Frozen and not one but two tiny Olafs have managed to jump off the screen into our train display. Get a picture of him before summer!
7) Trains were invented in England in the early part of the 19th century and quickly became an indispensable, enduring and beloved mode of transportation and travel for the British public.
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8) If you ever wondered who started the model train craze and want to find out more, this year we are featuring a display called The British Are Coming! Model Trains From the United Kingdom.
9) There is a tiny billboard located somewhere within the display that includes a picture of a charging rhinoceros from our exhibition Get the Picture! Recent Children’s Book Illustration coming in July 2016. Can you find it?
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10) It takes 6 people nearly a week to set up the train display each year. We are so grateful to each and every person who helps us bring together this must-see attraction for our holiday visitors!
