We are quickly approaching November and the start of the Holiday Season. Many of us are making plans for the few vacation days we have left in 2009. So, I decided to post the 5th Annual New York City Holiday Toy Train Tour.

MACY'S


Macy's Tree of Lights on Herald Square



Macy's Herald Square covers the entire city block between Broadway and 7th Avenue, and from 34th Street to 35th Street. This year the great Lionel Layout will be back in Santa Land. You will have to wait on line to see Santa, but the layout is worth the wait. Santa Land is scheduled to open as usual the day after Thanksgiving.

Some photos of the trains in Santa Land











Next we walk east on 34th Street to 5th Avenue. You will know you're there because the Empire State Building is on the southwest corner of this intersection. The observation deck is open if you are interested in getting an unbelievable view of the Big Apple.












Head north on 5th Avenue to 42nd Street and then head east for two blocks to Grand Central Terminal.

GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL





Lionel will be returning to the New York City Transit Museum Annex on the main level of GCT with their layout depicting a fanciful trip from the Christmas Tree on the living room floor, through New York City, and all the way to the North Pole via the Polar Express. If you haven't seen this layout in person, you won't want to miss it. This years layout has been updated with many new features. It opens November 17th.













After leaving Grand central we head north on Vanderbilt Avenue to 46th Street and arrive at the New York Central Building, the former headquarters of the railroad. The building faces north and looks down on stately Park Avenue.

NEW YORK CENTRAL BUILDING



We head up to 59th Street. On the north east corner of 5th Ave and 59th Street is the great FAO Schwarz Toy Store which features Lionel Trains and a handsome Lionel Train Layout.

FAO SCHWARZ





After leaving FAO Schwarz, cross over to the west side of 5th Avenue. Pass the southeast corner of Central Park, where you can take a horse and buggy ride if you like. Or, you can just head south past the Plaza Hotel and soak in the Holiday Spirit as you head down to Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Saks 5th Avenue's Musical Snow Flakes and Rockefeller Center at 50th Street.

5th AVENUE





ROCKEFELLER CENTER

At Rockefeller Center the famous Christmas Tree stand high above the skating rink in the plaza below. Bring your skates for the public skating sessions.







THE LIONEL STORE

Lionel will be opening a seasonal retail store in Rockefeller Center. According to the NY Daily News, "...Its window display will have three trains running through mountain scenery." Scheduled to open November 1st, I’m betting that Lionel is going all out to make this a great experience for visitors to the most popular attraction in the New York holiday experience.





















THE TOP OF THE ROCK

30 Rockefeller Plaza, the GE Building (formerly the RCA Building), is the tallest building of the Rockefeller Center Complex. The Top of the Rock is the observation deck 66 stories above Rockefeller Plaza. You can take a fun trip to the top which includes having a souvenir photo taken that replicates a popular poster of workmen during the building’s construction in 1931.











In the vicinity of Rockefeller Center are the NBC Studios (30 Rock), the NBC Today Show studio, and Radio City Music Hall. With some additional planning, you can take in the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular."



We head down either 5th or 6th Avenue to 34th Street and to Herald Square where we started. Both will put you in the Holiday Spirit.














Unfortunately, as of this posting, no home has been found for Clarke Dunham’s wonderful Citicorp Station Layout that filled the atrium of the Citicorp Building for 2 decades of holiday seasons. However, for Toy Train Lovers like myself, a trip to New York City during special time of the year is like an inspirational pilgrimage that will not only beckon you to set up your trains, but hopefully draw people into a new family holiday tradition.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: NYC Fan,

I was wondering when pallie, welcome back.


rat

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ratpak,

Thank you. We'll visit. We appreciate your map as well as your photos.

I was just thinking about posting a thread asking for this - thanks.....

Thanks Skip.

I always enjoy the tour.

Eric

Thank you Skip, I'm sure many forumites will take advantage of your map.

Paul

the only thing better than Christmas in New York, is Christmas in my hometown.
thanks for the tour.

Anyone have an idea where Clark Dunham is going to display this year? Glad I got to see it last year.

Can I add something to the list? It takes a little bit of a trip (from Grand Central) but is more then worth it. You can grab a train at Grand Central Station on the Metro North Harlem division, and take it to the Botanical Gardens train station in the Bronx (the station is literally right there at the gardens, across the street). Each year in the Haupt conservatory they have a wonderful trains display (okay, it is G, not lionel) that winds among the decorated trees in there and features replicas of NYC landmarkets made out of natural materials, it is quite special. The trip from Grand Central is about 20 minutes, I highly recommend it (I think it runs from just after Thanksgiving to New Years)

Owen,

quote:

I ran into Clarke Dunham at York and it is sad to report that the owner of the Citicorp Building, Boston Properties (probably disgruntled Red Sox Fans) will not be sponsoring the wonderful Citicorp Station train display this holiday season. As of Friday morning October 16, Clarke had no suitable alternatives. The layout is crated and ready to go, and it's not too late to arrange for this spectacular train display to be set up in a suitable location. What a great attraction this would make for one of the other corporation's lobbies or at one of the areas shopping malls!

Anyone interested should contact Clarke by email at www.Dunhamstudios.com

Which Hotel would any of you NYC guys recommend? Im thinking of making a long weekend trip in December to take in the "big City". Ive only been once before so I dont really know where I should look for Hotel location? Anyone?

PRRman......the only thing better than Christmas in your hometown is Christmas in Hawaii.

Tex

It is going to rain in the Northeast this Saturday. Photo Plus Expo is at the Javits for three days starting Thursday. For those into digital/silver based photography. All the big names, all the fancy expensive equipment. Got my money's worth in freebies alone last year. Not a selling show; but professionally focused with hands on the equipment all day long.

quote:

mdainsd Posted October 21, 2009 06:56 PM
Which Hotel would any of you NYC guys recommend? Im thinking of making a long weekend trip in December to take in the "big City". Ive only been once before so I dont really know where I should look for Hotel location? Anyone?

I'm probably not the best person to advise you on this one. Living as close to New York City as I do, I've only stayed in NYC hotels twice. Once was The Pennsylvania Hotel on 7th Ave across from Penn Station/Madison Square Garden, and the second time was the Mariott Marquis in Times Square. On both occassions the hotels were paid for by my job, so price was not an issue. They were both top notch and convenient to everything in midtown.

In the category of luxury hotels in midtown, there is also The Hyatt at Grand Central Terminal, The Hotel Roosevelt, and on the real upscale side....The Plaza Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria.

I did run across this web site that anyone looking for something more affordable might want to check out. http://www.nyinns.com or

http://www.all-hotels.com/usa/...hattan/midtown_1.htm

Other excellent options are hotels in Westchester County, immediately north of the city. White Plains, NY is right on the Harlem Division train line that will take you right into Grand Central. Northern New Jersey is also an option that easily puts you in midtown by train or bus in minutes.

The only thing I do not recommend is any option where you rent a car and drive into midtown Manhattan.

But I would hope people with experience will chime in.

The Hilton on 52 and 7th is very close to Radio City. The Marriott Marquis is real nice and also the Hyatt across from Grand Central. Be prepared for some high room rates for anything in Manhattan.

Hey Skip
You forgot one of the most important parts of the tour Where do you eat????

Hey Skip,

How about organzing a Forum members' trip down to Manhattan to visit all of these layouts? I'll help.

Eliot

quote:

Hey Skip
You forgot one of the most important parts of the tour Where do you eat????

Ben,

Diane and I came down with a bug over the weekend and haven't had much of an appetite. But, I know you are talking about the great Brazilian Barbeque on West 49th St. My problem is that the only part of the name I can ever remember is "Plataforma."

You're gonna have to help out with the rest of the name Buddy!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: NYC Fan,

Thanks to all. I had NO intention of trying to deal with a car in Manhattan. Not with the easy to use public transit I enjoyed last time (2005).

I have found some pretty good deals online, non-stop air from San Diego and three nights at the Hyatt for a bit over 600 bucks.

Im kind of thinking the weekend of December 12 and 13. Fly in Friday and get settled, then have all day Sat and Sunday to explore, then pack up and come home Monday.

Wow! That sounds like a great deal. The Hyatt couldn't be more in the heart of things!

My wife and I stayed in a suite at the Hyatt Grand Central last Christmas season---absolutely fabulous.
The whole family stayed at the same Hyatt this past Easter weekend. Again, first class.
Great Hotel.

Oh Yeah, forgot to mention, my daughter worked for Hyatt.
Joe S.

[/QUOTE][URL=http://www.churrascariaplataforma.com/]good food for sure[/URL

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Fan:
[QUOTE]Hey Skip
You forgot one of the most important parts of the tour Where do you eat????

Ben,

Diane and I came down with a bug over the weekend and haven't had much of an appetite. But, I know you are talking about the great Brazilian Barbeque on West 48th St. My problem is that the only part of the name I can ever remember is "Plataforma."

You're gonna have to help out with the rest of the name Buddy! ]

quote:

www.churrascariaplataforma.com

That's the ticket!

Hey Skip ... is that you, and your family? (The latest CTT, December 2009, pg 56 - 61?)

If so d-y-n-o-m-i-t-e layout, and congratulations on a terrific article.

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Fan:

quote:

www.churrascariaplataforma.com

That's the ticket!

I'll go and this place is AWESOME!!!!!

quote:

Between A&B

Posted October 23, 2009 12:27 AM Hide Post
Hey Skip ... is that you, and your family? (The latest CTT, December 2009, pg 56 - 61?)

If so d-y-n-o-m-i-t-e layout, and congratulations on a terrific article. Cool

Thanks!!!

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Fan:
Owen,

quote:

I ran into Clarke Dunham at York and it is sad to report that the owner of the Citicorp Building, Boston Properties (probably disgruntled Red Sox Fans) will not be sponsoring the wonderful Citicorp Station train display this holiday season. As of Friday morning October 16, Clarke had no suitable alternatives. The layout is crated and ready to go, and it's not too late to arrange for this spectacular train display to be set up in a suitable location. What a great attraction this would make for one of the other corporation's lobbies or at one of the areas shopping malls!

Anyone interested should contact Clarke by email at www.Dunhamstudios.com

It should be pointed out that all the other train layouts in NYC during Christmas season are being put up for FREE. I'm told Dunham gets a pretty penny for setting up and displaying anything that he builds. Clarke should also offer to do it for free as he would get exposure and the benefit of free advertising for his layout building business. However, I doubt that he will.

Skip,

Just read your story in that "other" magazine.
Great job !!

Who was that guy in the picture they said was you?
He looked awfully young . . . . .

eliot

Thanks Eliot!

That was the look I was going for Actually Diane chose the Santa photo. That was from Macy's Santa Land 2007.

This years trip is scheduled Saturday Dec 19th.

The Holidays are coming, the NYC train trip, Hood's Egg Nog at the grocery store and the planning of the Christmas Village layout!

Thanks posting!

New York City certainly is an electric and vibrant place during the Christmas holiday season but its gets sooo crowded. In the spots on the walking tour you'll find wall to wall people almost everywhere. Still it can be a good experience and Paula and myself go there every couple of years just to see all the decorations and train layouts.

quote:

Originally posted by scherbear57:
Skip,

Just read your story in that "other" magazine.
Great job !!

Who was that guy in the picture they said was you?
He looked awfully young . . . . .

eliot

Thats from Skips.."serpico" faze.

rat

quote:

Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

It should be pointed out that all the other train layouts in NYC during Christmas season are being put up for FREE. I'm told Dunham gets a pretty penny for setting up and displaying anything that he builds. Clarke should also offer to do it for free as he would get exposure and the benefit of free advertising for his layout building business. However, I doubt that he will.

Really.

Would you bring a team of 20 two trucks full of stuff and then stay for a month in a half in New York City hotel room with a run crew of 5/6 for free?

He should be paid. The layout was a public goodwill gesture from the Coorperate giant that now can't pay for it.

I agree. Setting up the Citicorp Station Layout is an expensive proposition, even for the owner of the layout. Clarke Dunham would need a suitable location and sponsorship to meet the expenses of moving and manning the layout. But, I do believe, after talking to the Dunhams at York, that they are passionate about this display and any money above covering expenses is probably secondary.

Two practical considerations for any visit to Manhattan, based on my experience of having lived there, and based on what I always do, now, when visiting for any reason:

1. Remember/be aware, walking one block between avenues(5th; 6th; 10th, etc.) is a whole lot longer than walking one block between streets( 14th St.; 34th St. ; 42nd St., etc.)

2. Have a pocket-full of dollar bills, & 5's, 10's, & 20's and take a taxi everywhere. (Put your wallet in your sock; wear high-top socks.) Don't stand out in the cold/rain/snow and wait for buses; don't take the subway. Cabs get you around safely, conveniently, fast and precisely. Of course, it helps to know where you are going and the general route one is supposed to travel to get there.

Just a personal perspective I trust will serve to help.

Frank
There is no better way to get around Manhattan than the subway. 3/4 of the cab drivers don't speak English and you may wind up in Queens instead of Grand Central. The subway is fast, clean and reliable. Don'tthink its a must to put your wallet in your sock either Safest big city in the country

Hey, Skip>>>
I was clued in to the OGR forum about 3 years ago, but what hooked me in was your post back then on the Christmas tour. I will be heading out to the city on Dec. 6 with a bunch of friends. Thank you for posting the update on the tour this year.

I just read your article in Classic Toy Trains. Looking at you and the youngsters in the photos, I have to ask, how old was your old avatar?

Thanks Tim. The old avatar was taken back around 1992 when my son Tommy was 2 years old. He's now playing NCAA Hockey up in New England.

The reason I had chosen that photo was because he is my biggest train Buddy and that is his favorite photo of us. Back when I joined in 2001, we used to browse the forum alot together. Tommy's a Pennsy fan, which accounts for the non-NYC equipment in the article photos.

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Fan:
Thanks Tim. The old avatar was taken back around 1992 when my son Tommy was 2 years old. He's now playing NCAA Hockey up in New England.

The reason I had chosen that photo was because he is my biggest train Buddy and that is his favorite photo of us. Back when I joined in 2001, we used to browse the forum alot together. Tommy's a Pennsy fan, which accounts for the non-NYC equipment in the article photos.

Too many pucks to the head w/o goalie mask on = Pennsy fan. At least he's a Yankee fan like his father.

Time for an update!

1992


2009

Lionel Store in Rockefeller Center

quote:

Originally posted by Silver Lake:

quote:

Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

It should be pointed out that all the other train layouts in NYC during Christmas season are being put up for FREE. I'm told Dunham gets a pretty penny for setting up and displaying anything that he builds. Clarke should also offer to do it for free as he would get exposure and the benefit of free advertising for his layout building business. However, I doubt that he will.

Really.

Would you bring a team of 20 two trucks full of stuff and then stay for a month in a half in New York City hotel room with a run crew of 5/6 for free?

He should be paid. The layout was a public goodwill gesture from the Coorperate giant that now can't pay for it.

Clark Dunham is a professional layout builder. He gets upwards of $30,000 to over $100,000 for his layout works. His layout is a huge advertising and marketing vehicle for his business and as such it should be worth investing a few thousand into setting the layout up in NYC during the holiday season. Lionel does it to promote their products, MTH has done it too. To answer the question; if high end layout building was my business, you can bet that I'd be in the big Apple looking to promote it. Bottom line is that advertising is a necessary investment and the lifeblood of any business.

quote:

Originally posted by mdainsd:
Which Hotel would any of you NYC guys recommend? Im thinking of making a long weekend trip in December to take in the "big City". Ive only been once before so I dont really know where I should look for Hotel location? Anyone?

My wife and I stayed at the Edison Hotel, 228 W. 47th St. back in August. It's an older hotel right in the broadway/ times square area. Clean and neat.

According to an article in the New York Post this morning regarding the Clarke Dunham Citicorp Station layout,

By CINDY ADAMS


George Venizelos, managing director of Wells Fargo Investments........... Now upset that Citi Group's abandoning its 12-year annual train show this Christmas, he says: "Warren Buffett bought Burlington Northern Railroad. I need to speak with him. How great railroads were and are for this country stirs patriotism. And poor kids can again enjoy the train exhibit. We can do it for $146,000. I'll get the money. I just need a location in New York City. It's pro-American, pro-children, pro-business and pro- New York City...."

ANYBODY KNOW OF A SUITABLE LOCATION?

Will be returning to NYC first weekend of December. To make it a little more fun for Bella, we will be taking the train from Princeton, New Jersey

Keep in mind that the Rockefeller Center tree lighting is scheduled for Wednesday evening December 2nd.

I saw on the NBC Today Show that the Christmas Tree has been delivered to Rockefeller Center. This years tree came from Connecticut. It has been put in place and has scaffolding around it while it is being decked out. The tree lighting is scheduled for December 2nd.

We are making our annual trip to NYC on Nov 30th. I guess this means that we will miss the Christmas tree lights at Rockefeller Center but the good side is that we should encounter a smaller crowd.
We are also considering adding the NY City Tranist Museum in downtown Brooklyn as a stop. Its right across the river from the City in Brooklyn in the Borough Hall area and they have 19 Vintage Trains there that you can explore, and several floors of memorabilia.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NYC Fan:
I saw on the NBC Today Show that the Christmas Tree has been delivered to Rockefeller Center. This years tree came from Connecticut.QUOTE]
I sure hope it doesn't lean left!

quote:

I sure hope it doesn't lean left!

Not to worry, Chuck!

The New York Botanical Gardens featured on NY1

http://ny1.com/6-bronx-news-co...ork-botanical-garden