All aboard for our 13^th Annual Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure!

A favorite holiday tradition is back at the Eiteljorg Museum and we are as excited as ever to welcome you! Jingle Rails is a whimsical model railroad of G-scale electric trains that ramble over trestles and through tunnels along more than 1,200 feet of track. Trains wind past woodsy, artistic representations of the skyline of Downtown Indianapolis and landmarks of the American West, all made from natural materials. No matter if this is your first year to experience the holiday attraction or if your family has been visiting since it began in 2010, the iconic Jingle Rails, created by Applied Imagination, is something you do not want to miss.

As you explore Jingle Rails and take in the different scenes, see what materials you can find within the backdrops. You may find miniature buildings made of twigs, sycamore leaves, pinecone scales, acorn caps, walnut shells and cinnamon sticks. The displays are also adorned with twinkling holiday lights, fluffy snow and accen­tuated with railroad sounds to help get you and your family into the holiday spirit. Back this year is the beloved Indianapolis Motor Speedway, rendered in miniature with Indy slot cars racing around the track as well as the Indiana State Fair scene in its original featured space, now with the added Glass Barn education center.

A holiday family tradition that is a favorite of all ages and generations, Jingle Rails largely takes place inside the museum’s recently expanded Allen Whitehill Clowes Sculpture Court, which now has a striking all-glass east wall facing West Street. With additional floor space for visitors to spread out and better enjoy the experience, there will be a new child-friendly activities area this year, including train tables with wooden toy trains, magnetic tiles for assembling your own train, an “I spy” activity and a reading nook filled with train-themed children’s books.

This annual exhibit is made possible with the help of many supporters, such as title sponsor Fifth Third Bank, whose downtown building, custom train engine and Indy car are featured in the display. The creative team at Applied Imagination designed and built Jingle Rails and assembles all the track and backdrops. During the exhibit, a hardworking team of volunteer model train enthusiasts — known as “the train guys” — ensures the trains run smoothly and helps answer visitors’ questions. Other volunteers work hard during the 10-week run of Jingle Rails to assist visitors and direct traffic through the museum.

Jingle Rails will be open Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 16, 2023 and is included with regular museum admission. Members are free. Children ages four and under have free admission. For non-member advance sale tickets, visit Eiteljorg.org/JingleRails. You can also pre-register for Jingle Rails themed art-making workshops on three Saturdays in December.

We cannot wait to see you at Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure! Use #JingleRails on social media to share your memories with us!

While you’re visiting Jingle Rails, stroll over to our featured exhibit Snow Days in the special exhibition gallery Snow Days will be open from Nov. 5, 2022, to Feb. 5, 2023, and features works from the museum’s permanent collection that highlight winter and snowy environs. With objects ranging from delicate carved ivory miniatures of sled dogs to snowy Western landscapes to exquisitely beaded mittens designed to protect the wearer from the cold, the exhibit will highlight works that embrace the beauty of the season and the ingenuity it takes to survive it.

As you experience the exhibit, we invite you to think about what winter means to you and to your family. Do you have traditions unique to winter? Favorite hobbies or activities you do during the season? Snow Days will surely have you waiting for the next snowfall!