Enjoy this impressive model railroad in this Dallas-Fort Worth area church – complete with BNSF trains
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff Writer
It all began with a simple idea from a member of White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas.
That suggestion quickly gained traction, and in 2016, the church reached out to retired technology engineer Harold Bryan to bring the vision of a holiday model railroad layout to life.
Bryan, a lifelong rail enthusiast, was perfect for the job. His passion for trains began at age 12 and, at 90, it’s still going strong.
“Seeing all the happy children, families and people from around the world who visit the WC Trains display brings me so much joy,” Bryan said.
Armed with a dream of creating a community treasure, a team of volunteers got to work. Construction began in July 2016 on Bryan’s patio, with 35 to 45 volunteers braving the Texas heat to build the intricate layout.
“It was so hot — over 100 degrees — while we were working,” Bryan recalled. “We had to get creative to keep going.”
Thankfully, relief came in the form of a warehouse, where the bulk of the project was ultimately constructed. The team started with three tables on Bryan’s patio before expanding to 17 more tables at the warehouse.
The display, WC Trains, comes alive each holiday season at the church, where the setup begins every November. It takes two days to assemble and three to disassemble, after which the layout is stored safely until the next holiday season. The impressive O-gauge layout features stainless steel tracks, a rail yard, a Ferris wheel, a waterfall, a replica of nearby outdoor shopping center Southlake Town Square and much more.
“It’s thousands of hours of work and dedication from our volunteers, but the happiness it brings makes it all worthwhile,” Bryan said.
On any given day from late November through the first week of January the trains delight visitors of all ages with a rotating schedule of locomotives, from the Polar Express to a newly introduced BNSF train. Each train is carefully monitored to ensure its engines last for many more seasons of holiday cheer.
Among the fleet is the display’s oldest train, dating back to the 1930s. This year marked the debut of two BNSF locomotives, along with 16 centennial boxcars, which Bryan acquired on eBay after Train Committee members—several of whom are BNSF employees—encouraged him to add them to the collection.
Donations keep the trains running and help the committee maintain and expand the display. “We’ve been blessed by the giving hearts of so many people,” Bryan said.
The holiday train display has become a beloved tradition, drawing visitors from near and far. Guests from England, India, across the U.S. and the Dallas-Fort Worth area have come to marvel at the miniature winter wonderland. Even the warehouse employees who store the layout get in the holiday spirit, sending chocolate treats to the train engineers as a “thank you” for their hard work.
“This space is open to everyone,” Bryan said. “No matter where you’re from, we’ve built something that anyone can enjoy.”
If you’re looking for a free festive outing to spark your holiday cheer, the WC Trains display is the perfect activity for train lovers, families and friends. Don’t miss it if you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area—check the train schedule and hop aboard the fun!
