40th anniversary: Lionel trains wind past mini NYC landmarks.

The Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal is a free, annual exhibition presented by the New York Transit Museum. It features Lionel model trains traveling through a miniature New York City landscape, and is currently open to the public from November 13, 2025, through February 2026.

Key Details for 2025-2026

Location: The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store in Grand Central Terminal, located in the Shuttle Passage, adjacent to the Station Master’s Office.
Admission: The event is free and open to the public.
Dates: The show runs from Thursday, November 13, 2025, through February 2026.

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on major holidays.

What to Expect

The display is a 34-foot, two-level «O» gauge model train layout that begins at a miniature Grand Central Terminal and winds past New York City landmarks, eventually making its way to the North Pole. The exhibit includes model Metro-North, vintage subway, and whimsical Polar Express trains, complete with realistic lights and sounds.

For the 2025 season, the display also features artwork by artists James Yang and Erin K. Robinson to mark the 40th anniversary of the MTA Arts & Design program. Visitors can also get a scavenger hunt paper to find hidden elements within the display.

EVENT WEBSITE: https://grandcentralterminal.com/holiday-train-show

Image credit Argenis-Apolinario