Of course, in Dundalk, Christmas train gardens have a long history and remain very popular. But don't be surprised if you see Santa forgoing his reindeer-operated sleigh in favor of a present-packed train engine this year elsewhere in Maryland.

Thanks to the efforts of fire departments and specialty museums, Marylanders can hop aboard the tradition this holiday season all over the area while appreciating the cultural heritage of the yuletide ride.

Enthusiasts of miniature train gardens explain the custom comes to Maryland courtesy of its German settlers, who valued the precision necessary to create the cheery intricate worlds and used the hobby as a diminutive distraction from the frigid, and sometimes dismal, life of war-torn Europe. Meanwhile, it is

Maryland's Moravian descendants who brought with them the religious practice of placing nativity scenes under Christmas trees some 200 years ago.

As the state's population grew in size and diversity, it wasn't long before heritage mingled, offering the modern version of trains coursing through fields of Christmas evergreens, or garden holiday stages set to the sound of "chuggah-chuggah" steam engines.

But you don't have to trace your lineage to either of these founders to appreciate the delicate beauty and subtle craftsmanship of the garden train tradition. Instead, just visit a nearby fire department or even shopping mall to join in the festive spirit this holiday season.

Wise Avenue Volunteers, Station No. 27; Wise Ave., Dundalk, Md. 21222.

The volunteer firefighters from Station No. 27 have been hosting the train garden, which evolves every year, since 1981. The train garden will be open through Jan. 9. Weekday hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are from noon to 9 p.m. The train garden is closed Christmas Day. Admission is $1 and children under seven-years-old, are free.

Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society; 4 Center Place, Dundalk, Md. 21222. 410-284-2331

The train garden at the historical society attracted well over 1,00 visitors this year just on the night of the annual lighting of the historic Dundalk Shopping Center earlier this month. The four-level train garden is different every year, growing in size, complexity and the number of visitors - a scene barely contained inside the historical society's exhibition space. The train garden is open seven-days-a-week from noon to 8 p.m., through Jan. 9. The train garden closes at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and is closed Christmas Day.

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum; 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Md. 410-752-2490

Celebrate the holiday season at Baltimore's largest holiday display of toy and model train layouts which rotate displays every weekend. There are also weekend train rides and photo opportunities with Santa through Dec. 19, and Frosty the Snowman through Jan. 2. Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year's Day.

Sykesville and Patapsco Railway; 731 Oklahoma Ave, Downtown Sykesville, Md. 410-795-3157

This display of railroad history includes a 1910 Pullman Parlor Car, 1927 B&O Caboose, 1910 Interlocking Tower with N, HO, O, G-gauge and American Flyer model train displays. The last chance to see the train display Jan. 9, noon – 4 p.m. and open houses are normally held the 1st Sunday of each month from noon – 4 p.m and admission is free.

Ellicott City B & O Railroad Museum; 2711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City, Md. 410-461-1944.

 The "Holiday Festival of Trains" is an annual model railroad display featuring a new multi-dimensional O-gauge model train layout, a Thomas the Tank engine layout and the Museum's permanent HO model train layout inside the Freight House. Meet Santa on Dec. 18 and Frosty the Snowman on Dec. 19, or just come to enjoy the rest of the festival, now through January 30. The museum will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. 

Pleasant Valley Community Fire Company; 2030 South Pleasant Valley Road, Westminster, Md. 410-848-1977

The train garden was redesigned for the 28th Annual "Christmas in the Valley," and features several new attractions, as well as some favorites from past train garden displays. Visit now through Jan. 9, from noon - 4 p.m. Christmas Eve 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Dec. 28-30 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Dec. 26 and 27, from noon - 6 p.m. 

Gyndon Train Garden; 4812 Butler Road. Glyndon, Md. 410-833.1262

Come celebrate the Glyndon's third annual Train Garden, on display now through Jan. 9 and has free admission. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon – 9 p.m. until Jan. 9th. Saturday features Santa appearances!  

The Shops at Kenilworth; 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, Md. 410-321-1909

The Shops at Kenilworth features over ninety-two feet of model trains, animations and hundreds of favorite characters in their 23rd annual "Making Tracks to Kenilworth for the Holidays" spectacular. The annual Christmas train garden, which runs through January 7, also includes bridges and animated figures created each year by The Train Group. The train display is open during mall hours and on Dec. 18, trains begin running at 8 a.m. for breakfast with Santa, to benefit Nikki Perlow Foundation. Tickets are on sale at Growing Up Shoppe. The Santa Experience runs through Christmas Eve at Depot, located on the 2nd Level, Mondays - Fridays noon – 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.–  8 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays noon – 5 p.m., and Christmas Eve 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  While you're in the mall, check out the train layouts down in Stebbins Anderson too!  Extended mall hours for the holidays are Monday -Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Dec. 26 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., closed Christmas Day, open New Year's Eve from 10am-5pm and closed New Year's Day.

Arbutus Train Garden; Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department, 5200 Southwestern Boulevard, Halethorpe, Md. 

The 17th Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Garden is open now through Sunday January 2, 2011, including a train and toy show Dec. 18. Other opening time are Monday - Friday 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.- 8:30 p.m., Christmas Eve 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. closed Christmas Day, open New Year's Eve 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. 

College Park Aviation Museum; 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park, Md. 30l-864-6029

1Featuring a "Holiday Trains and Planes" exhibit this holiday season, College Park Aviation Museum gets ready for the festivities as miniature trains, villages, tunnels and depots spark the imagination and bring history to life thanks to The National Capital Trackers, who bring a fascinating and constantly moving display of model railroads to the museum. Saturday, Dec. 18 through Friday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.;

National Capital Trolley Museum; 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, Md. 301-384-6088

The "Holly Trolley Fest" rides again with the re-opening of the museum this year! Enjoy the model garden railway and holiday village inside the museum, or ride with Santa on the street cars on Dec. 18 and 19, from noon - 5 p.m. More information on Colesville Patch: http://patch.com/A-cs7p.

The National Capitol Christmas Tree; The Ellipse, Washington, D.C. 202-208-1631

What's a Christmas tree without a train running around it? For the 16th consecutive year, enjoy the National festivities now through Jan. 1, 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. daily.

Frederick County Society of Model Engineers; 423 East Patrick Street (near the Great Frederick Fairgrounds) in Frederick, Md.

The club HO and HOn3 layout is housed in a restored heavyweight Chesapeake & Ohio six-door baggage type car and G-scale layout is also featured. Annual Winter Open Houses are Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6.

Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum; 300 South Burhan's Boulevard (US 11), Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-4665

The "Trains of Christmas" Show features an "O" Scale 3-Rail Christmas layout with steam and diesel trains by Lionel, MTH, Williams, Weaver and others operating in snow scene on four levels. The smoke and sounds of the steam and diesel locomotives fill the air with railroading past and present. Railroad artifacts, photos, trains for kids to run, and a gift shop too. The museum exhibit is open now through Feb. 27, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and also open Dec. 27 and 30. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Day.