Children of all ages have loved toy trains for more than a century, and what better way to celebrate this enduring fascination than with a visit to our toy train display at Winterthur? For the second year, Kirk Lindvig and other volunteers have transformed the Brown Horticulture Learning Center into a Yuletide wonderland, showcasing a mesmerizing toy train world for visitors to enjoy from December 21, 2024 through January 1, 2025.

This display, created by Kirk and Jeannette Lindvig, Chris Bogus, Joe Blossic, and Randy Satzler, features trains from local members of the Standard Gauge Module Association, a nationwide collectors group. The Lionel Standard Gauge toy trains transport visitors into a landscape of nostalgia. Featuring an array of tracks, stations, and figurines, the display is a testament to the enduring charm of these timeless toys.

For Lindvig, the allure of toy trains is a lifelong passion. Fondly reminiscing about receiving his first train set at the age of four, he recently shared his enthusiasm with a reporter from Chadds Ford Live, joking, “It has been all downhill ever since.”

Kirk Lindvig is not alone in his fascination; hundreds of thousands of toy train enthusiasts, united by their love for both vintage and contemporary standard gauge trains, have found common ground through the Standard Gauge Module Association. Established in 2006 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of these special toys, the association’s captivating displays have graced public venues across the country.

Kirk Lindvig, setting up the toy train display at Winterthur

The roots of the Standard Gauge toy trains trace back to 1906 when the Lionel Manufacturing Company introduced them, later followed by offerings from Ives and American Flyer. These colorful, large-scale, all-metal wonders mirrored America’s captivation with the burgeoning technologies of railroads and electricity at the turn of the 20th century. A symbol of luxury, these toy trains were crafted for affluent families, such as the du Ponts.

Enchanting railway scenes fill the room with holiday delights

The Winterthur estate is rich in history entwined with railroads. The train station, situated at the back of the property near Route 100, served as a stop on the Wilmington and Northern Railroad and as Winterthur’s post office from 1900 to 1967. Henry Algernon du Pont, father of museum founder Henry Francis du Pont, served as president of the Wilmington and Northern Railroad from 1879 to 1926.

The train station at Winterthur 

Functioning primarily for freight service, the rail line facilitated the delivery of coal, farm supplies, and mail, up to four times a day. Its last postmaster, Anna Upright, lived above the station, overseeing mail distribution and managing deliveries.

Anna Upright

At its core, Winterthur was a family home, and the train station played a pivotal role in maintaining familial connections. H. F. du Pont, during his boarding school days, received flowers and food from the estate by train to lift his spirits.

The annual Christmas party at Winterthur, a cherished tradition for estate workers and their families, holds fond memories for those who grew up here. Children especially treasured the Lionel Standard Gauge toy train—a popular toy during H. F. du Pont’s era.

Winterthur’s train station stands as a testament to time, unchanged since the late 19th century. While freight trains still traverse Winterthur’s rails today, they no longer make stops at the station, which is now a private home for a Winterthur employee. The shingled Queen Anne-style building, designed by architect Theophilus P. Chandler, is one of the few surviving examples of his work, alongside the Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Wilmington. The station and the toy train display invite visitors to remember the golden age of rail travel.

As you round out your holiday plans, make sure to visit our train display, “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Add it to your list of delightful offerings to enjoy this year during Yuletide at Winterthur.