The iconic landmarks of Hollywood are new additions this year to the Eiteljorg Museum’s holiday model train display, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure.
Open from Nov. 18 to Jan. 15, Jingle Rails is an enchanting holiday attraction, featuring model trains that crisscross miniature replicas of famous landscapes — from the skyline of Indianapolis to the impressive sights of the American West — that visitors can walk through, around and under.
Visiting the Eiteljorg during the holiday season has become an annual family tradition for many, and Jingle Rails is one of the most affordable holiday attractions in the Indianapolis area. Last year, more than 41,000 visitors experienced the spectacular model train display.
Trains chug through backdrops constructed of all-natural materials, including bark, acorns, tree roots and honeycomb. Miniature railroad tracks carry the nine G-scale trains past dioramas depicting Lucas Oil Stadium, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Aspen Ski Resort, Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge and others, and the scenes are decked out in holiday lights.
For this season, the eighth year of Jingle Rails, a new destination on the model train itinerary is a replica Hollywood, including famous film industry locations. The mountaintop Hollywood sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with handprints and footprints of the stars, the Paramount Studios gates, the Warner Bros. water tower, a Western-movie studio set and the Griffith Park Observatory are depicted in miniature.
“With its intricate recreations of iconic Western scenes, Jingle Rails sparks children’s imaginations and brings back nostalgic memories of favorite Western landmarks for parents and grandparents,” said John Vanausdall, Eiteljorg president and CEO. “We are delighted that families return to the Eiteljorg Museum each holiday season to experience Jingle Rails. Between the familiar scenes they already enjoy and the new Hollywood landscape, it again will be a treasured experience for all ages.”
The Jingle Rails dioramas were designed and artistically created out of natural materials by Paul Busse and his company, Applied Imagination in Alexandria, Ky. They built similar installations at the New York Botanical Garden and the United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C.
Special programming is held at the Eiteljorg during the eight-week duration of Jingle Rails, including Thanksgiving weekend and Winter Market on Dec. 2. Screenings of the holiday film The Polar Express take place at Dec. 16 and Dec. 20, both at 1 p.m. Click here for daily details.
Recognized by USA Today as a “10 Best” Indianapolis holiday attraction, Jingle Rails is included with regular admission to the Eiteljorg Museum. Adults are $13, seniors are $11, youth ages 5 to 17 are $7, and children ages four and under are free. Get discount tickets by ordering online at www.eiteljorg.org.
While visiting the Eiteljorg to experience Jingle Rails, museum-goers also can see a special exhibition of contemporary Native American art called Native Art Now!, view the museum’s permanent galleries, enjoy the kid-friendly R.B. Annis Western Family Experience, grab a bite at the Museum Café and shop at the Museum Store.
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at the Eiteljorg Museum is presented by The Indiana Rail Road and sponsored by Katz Sapper & Miller, the Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Power & Light Co., the Kortepeter family, Faegre Baker Daniels, Stuart’s Moving and Storage, the Butler Foundation, L.G. and Alyce Edwards and other sponsors.
Get a sneak peak here:
