Holiday Tradition Returns: Pacific Southern Railway to Host 47th Annual Train Show in Rocky Hill

Nicholas Mistretta

ROCKY HILL, NJ — A longtime local holiday tradition is preparing to roll back into Rocky Hill this November, bringing model trains, family activities and a charitable mission together for two days of festivities.

The Pacific Southern Railway will host its 47th Annual Holiday Show on Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., inviting families, railroad enthusiasts and curious visitors inside its expansive model railway museum. The event will center around tours of the 5,000-square-foot Pacific Southern Railway train museum, where multiple model train layouts will operate throughout the property. Organizers describe Pacific Southern Railway as one of the country’s longest-running nonprofit model railroads. The annual show has grown into more than a destination for train enthusiasts, with organizers planning a full slate of family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Visitors can expect balloon animals, hot chocolate, a food truck and a working R2-D2, along with multiple train displays running during the event.

A Holiday Tradition With a Local Mission
While the trains may be the main attraction, the Holiday Show also carries an important community purpose. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit local fire and emergency medical services in New Jersey. Members of Rocky Hill Fire and EMS are also expected to be on site during the weekend, giving residents an opportunity to meet some of the first responders serving the community. That charitable component has helped make the show more than a seasonal outing, combining family entertainment with support for the emergency services organizations that serve local communities throughout the year. James “Murr” Murray, known to audiences from Impractical Jokers, and his wife, Melyssa Murray, shared details of this year’s event as preparations get underway for the November show.

Trains Take Center Stage
For visitors, one of the highlights will be the opportunity to explore Pacific Southern Railway’s extensive model railroad setup. Rather than a single display, the Holiday Show will feature multiple operating train layouts throughout the property, giving guests a chance to see the intricate landscapes, tracks, trains and miniature scenes that make model railroading an enduring hobby for generations of enthusiasts. The museum itself provides a setting where longtime railroad fans and children seeing an elaborate model railway for the first time can experience the display together. With nearly five decades behind the event, the Holiday Show has become an annual opportunity for the organization to open its doors to the wider community.

Tickets and Parking
Admission is $10, while children under 10 are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased in advance through HolidayTrainShow.com, although walk-up admission will also be available subject to availability. Parking is free along the street on the north side of Washington Street, also known as Route 518. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22. Between the model trains, family activities and support for local first responders, Pacific Southern Railway’s 47th Annual Holiday Show is once again aiming to offer visitors an old-fashioned holiday tradition with a distinctly local purpose.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com