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The Sussex County Rail-Club will set up its holiday model train displays on two December Saturdays in 2026: December 5 at the Sussex-Wantage Library in Wantage and December 12 at the E. Louise Childs Memorial Library in Stanhope, both from 10 AM to 3 PM. The local club brings its operating layouts, complete with snowy villages and circling trains, to each branch for the day.
Saturday, December 5: Sussex-Wantage Library
The first display is at the Sussex County Library System’s Sussex-Wantage Branch, 69 County Road 639 in Wantage, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The library has hosted the club’s layouts before, including its Halloween train display this October, and the trains run through the day so families can drop in at any time.
Saturday, December 12: E. Louise Childs Memorial Library, Stanhope
A week later the trains move to the E. Louise Childs Memorial Branch at 21 Stanhope Road in Stanhope, again from 10 AM to 3 PM. Make a morning of it with a stop at Lake Musconetcong or a lunch on Main Street. Our guide to things to do in Stanhope has ideas close by.
About the Sussex County Rail-Club
The Sussex County Rail-Club is a group of model railroad fans who build and run layouts around the county through the year, from its October Halloween display to train shows in Franklin. Members meet monthly at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Hamburg, and the club lists upcoming displays on its events page. Questions can go to the club at sussexrrclub@yahoo.com.
Tips for Visiting
Library displays are casual drop-in events, so younger kids can watch the trains up close and come and go as they like. With five hours of running time each day, there is no need to arrive at opening. Check the club’s events page before you head out in case of winter weather changes.
Where Else the Club Shows Up
The holiday displays are part of a busy year for the club. Its site documents past layouts at the Dorothy E. Henry Library in Vernon, a display at Hardyston School, the Sussex County Home and Garden Show and a holiday display at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, along with the annual Franklin train show. The club also takes requests for displays at schools, libraries and community events through the Request for Display page on its website, so organizers planning a winter event can reach out directly.
More Holiday Fun in Sussex County
Pair a train display with a tree lighting or a Santa visit from our full Christmas events in Sussex County calendar, and see our winter things to do in Sussex County for more cold-weather outings.
Photos: Sussex County Rail-Club.
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