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Hundreds of Antique Trains Roll Through New-York Historical Society

By Emily Frost | November 19, 2014 5:49pm
 The exhibit features roughly 300 antique pieces, a mix of figurines, trains and toys. 
Antique Trains at the New-York Historical Society
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UPPER WEST SIDE — Kids, parents, train buffs or anyone looking for a shot of nostalgia can revel in the massive antique train collection on view at the New-York Historical Society — including a train that chugs along a track to mesmerize museum-goers.

The 11,000-piece Jerni Collection, assembled by Jerry and Nina Greene over 50 years, is one of the world's largest antique train collections, and is now owned by the museum as part of its permanent collection, exhibit curator Mike Thornton said.

Recently valued at more than $80 million by Sotheby's, the collection was first displayed at the museum in 2012 to attract outside buyers. But a group of donors banded together to snap it up for the museum for an undisclosed amount, he explained. 

A mix of figurines, tracks, scenery elements, trains and stations, the 300 or so pieces on display draw the visitor in with the intricate details of these handmade items, Thornton explained. 

The trains, which date between 1850 and 1940, were meant to delight children, who with the Industrial Revolution suddenly had more leisure time, he noted. But they also taught them about the steam engine, which was helping chart America's future, he added. 

Fanatics visiting the exhibit will rush to see the one-of-a-kind Marklin five-gauge toy train that was custom built for FAO Schwartz's New York City toy store in 1905, while others will flock to see the extremely detailed carousel or post office — items that were sold alongside the train sets to create a whole scene, Thornton explained. 

Throughout the display cases, "there are lots of little surprises," if you look closely, he added. 

Holiday Express: Trains and Toys from the Jerni Collection is on view from Nov. 21, 2014 through Feb. 22, 2015.