COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Metropolitan Library's Huntington Holiday Train is set to return for its 13th year this holiday season.
The train is a 600-square-foot spectacle that includes multiple miniature trains running on more than 280 feet of track surrounded by more than 50 pounds of snowflakes. The miniature buildings, which are all made from leaves, bark, seeds, pinecones, fungus and moss, are modeled after actual structures in Germany.
The train, built in 1992, was originally displayed in the lobby of the historic Huntington building at Broad and High Streets. In 2009, Huntington graciously loaned the train to CML.
Some highlights include a 6-foot-tall cathedral, an 8-foot-tall castle and a waterfall that pumps 600 gallons of water an hour. Each building in the display took between one and three weeks to create. The castle and waterfall took more than three months to complete. It also took more than 10 months to build the cathedral. The entire display takes two days to set up.
The Huntington Holiday Train will be on display Wednesday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 7 during regular library hours.
During the library's free holiday open house next month, attendees will have the opportunity to see the ceremonial switch be flipped for the Huntington Holiday Train.
The open house will take place Nov. 29 at the Main Library from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where families can enjoy activities, sing-along carols, refreshments, plus a visit from a live reindeer and a very special guest.
