Nashville, TN - The holidays officially begin at Adventure Science Center when local train enthusiasts descend upon Whistlestop!, the Center's annual model train extravaganza scheduled for November 10 through 13. Whistlestop! invites engineers-at-heart to view and interact with scores of model trains, including the new Music City Star, a replica of the proposed commuter train to run between downtown Nashville and Wilson County.
Whistlestop! will also feature train layouts owned by local train club members. Trains on display will include N, Z and G scales and Standard, S and HO gauges. Already on display is the ASC's own Lionel O train. Guests will have the opportunity to manipulate parts of this configuration, complete with five loops for separate trains and replicas of Nashville landmarks, by pushing buttons and pulling levers. The Lionel O will be on display through mid-January.
"The train enthusiasts who participate in Whistlestop! share a passion for the trains that defined our society's preferred method of transportation for so long," said Larry Dunlap-Berg, an ASC educator who coordinates Whistlestop! each year. "Their delight in showing off their model trains is infectious, which is why so many of our visitors make Whistlestop! their first stop of the holiday season."
On Saturday, November 12th, ASC visitors to Whistlestop! will also enjoy myriad train-inspired activities, including a 50-foot long inflatable train obstacle course set up in front of the Center. Guests arriving between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. can also visit a balloon artist, have their caricatures drawn or faces painted, and partake of treats from food vendors.
For those young engineers who just can't get enough of trains, ASC will offer "Almost Overnight," a special after-hours event for kindergarten through 6th graders on November 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. that explores different modes of transportation. Snacks will be provided. Reservations for "Almost Overnight" are required by Wednesday, November 9. The cost for members is $12 for children and $5 for adults. Non-member pricing is $15 for children and $7 for adults. For reservations or more information, call (615) 862-5177.
Whistlestop! is sponsored by longtime ASC supporters Phillips Toy Mart of Nashville, Jack and Clare Fisher and Will and Joan Cheek. Some of the train models were made possible thanks to a partnership between Adventure Science Center, Tennessee Central Railway Museum, and the Regional Transportation Authority.
About Adventure Science Center
For 60 years, Adventure Science Center has brought science to life for children in Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, Northern Alabama and beyond. The center offers hands-on, interactive exhibits and engaging programs that encourage children of all ages to explore how science, invention and innovation affect their lives. Adventure Science Center encourages imagination and curiosity, and engages the senses in the fascinating world of science.
Adventure Science Center's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9.00 for adults, and $7.00 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors age 65 or older. The Science Center is located at 800 Fort Negley Blvd. For more information, call (615) 862-5160 or visit our web site at www.adventuresci.com
