The Enchanting Train Display at the U.S. Botanic Garden

December 14, 2024 by CeCe Cogar

Every winter, as the days grow shorter and the chill of the season settles over Washington, DC, a warm and whimsical tradition unfolds inside one of the city’s most beloved institutions. The US Botanic Garden’s annual holiday train display—often themed under the banner of “Season’s Greenings”—invites visitors of all ages into a lush, botanical wonderland where miniature trains chug along meticulously crafted plant-based landscapes. It’s a spectacle that blends horticultural artistry, intricate engineering, and childlike wonder, all under the soaring glass ceilings of the Conservatory. For locals and out-of-towners alike, this holiday train exhibit is more than just a seasonal attraction; it’s a cherished celebration of nature, craftsmanship, and community.

A Historic Setting for a Modern Tradition

Before delving into the details of the train display itself, it helps to understand the special place that houses it. The US Botanic Garden (USBG), established in 1820, is among the oldest continuously operating botanic gardens in the United States. Situated adjacent to the U.S. Capitol, the Garden’s location is as prestigious as its legacy. Open to the public year-round, the USBG’s mission is not only to showcase the beauty and diversity of the plant kingdom, but also to educate visitors about the importance of plants to the world’s ecosystems, economies, and cultural traditions.

During the holiday season, the Garden’s dedication to education, conservation, and celebration of the natural world takes on a festive sheen. The Conservatory—a vast indoor space divided into climate-controlled galleries housing plants from around the globe—transforms into a seasonal showcase replete with poinsettias, vibrant winter blooms, and of course, a dazzling model train exhibit that draws thousands of visitors each year.

The holiday train display at the US Botanic Garden is much more than a seasonal attraction. It is a tapestry woven from threads of history, horticulture, artistry, community, and environmental stewardship. Through its miniature landscapes and charming trains, it tells a story of human creativity in harmony with the natural world. It invites visitors to look closer, to question how things are made, and to appreciate the textures and hues of plant materials that most of us overlook in daily life.

Trains and Pollinators

On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily through displays of pollinators made from plant parts. These scenes range from oversized models of native US flowers like milkweed and bats pollinating a banana to an orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower, a chocolate midge pollinating a cacao flower, a lemur pollinating a traveler’s tree flower, and more!

The Garden Railway: A Botanical Miniature World

At the heart of the holiday display are the model trains—often G-gauge trains—winding their way through an imaginative landscape of familiar landmarks and fantastical scenes. What distinguishes this display from other model train sets is the medium itself: Almost all of the miniature structures are crafted from natural plant materials. Bark, seeds, cones, twigs, and leaves form the foundations and ornamentation of tiny replicas of historical buildings, famous monuments, and whimsical cottages. The horticultural artisans who create these displays spend months planning and constructing them, ensuring that every detail is both botanically authentic and thematically appropriate.

In past years, themes have varied widely. Sometimes the trains chug past iconic Washington, DC landmarks—miniature versions of the US Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, or the Smithsonian museums—all painstakingly reproduced in natural materials. In other years, the exhibit might highlight American roadside attractions, National Parks, or notable botanical gardens from around the country. These thematic choices keep the display fresh and exciting, encouraging repeat visits from locals and inspiring visitors to rediscover something new each season.