An 80-foot display of vintage trains and villages is available for the public to see daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sugar Mill and Antiques Depot, 13788 Pacific Cir., for free through January 1.
The display took Van Morgan, co-owner of Sugar Mill Antiques and Vintage Depot, roughly three weeks to construct in November. It contains seven vintage trains, 94 buildings and over 300 accessories, including trees and figurines.
Most of the items were collected by Morgan over the past 20 years, though some of the items on display belong to operators of the 80-plus small businesses that rent space in the store. For train enthusiasts, a vintage O-scale Marx Toys train from the 1950s that still runs is on display.
Additionally, the bulk of the collection comprises Department 56 trains and buildings from the 1970s. A newer Lionel train from the 2000s also rides around its track in a figure-8 pattern. Morgan’s primary goal in building the display is to give back to kids and the community.
“The whole point is to bring a little joy back into the community. Kids love it, grandparents love it and everyone comes by and talks about their Uncle Joe and the train setup they had underneath the tree,” Morgan said.
A big part of their business is reminiscing. So once visitors look at the train setup outside, they can head inside to see more vintage items that will take them to memories of days past.
“People frequently wander through the store and see items they remember from their childhoods. They’ll say, ‘Oh, I remember that from over at my grandma’s house.’ Or, ‘Oh, I remember growing up with that in Mom’s kitchen,’” Morgan said. “Again, it’s all about giving back.”
Sugar Mill Antiques and Vintage Depot is giving back is also offering free photo opportunities with Santa Claus or the Grinch. The store will have both characters onsite on December 10 from noon to 2 p.m.
