Last year 1,752 children, parents and grandparents visited the Southwest Louisiana O Gauge Model Railroad Club display at the Sulphur Regional Library.

Now it’s back at the library for a second holiday season.

What is it about Christmas and trains that draws a crowd and creates a magical experience that spans generations? Club member Andy Buckley says he thinks the knuckle stuck between the Christmas and train car began in the ’50s. That’s when Lionell train sets were popular and one of the most requested toys on Christmas wish lists.

After they were unwrapped, parents seemed to enjoy them as much as the kids. Those memories lasted.

Buckley explained the significance of O gauge. It refers to the scale of the model, which is 1:48. Other smaller models exist. But in his club, there are a few guys who remember the Lionell train era and have the eyesight to prove it. That would make working on smaller models difficult.

The Running of the Trains kicks off with a donor reception from 5-6 p.m. Monday.

The train leaves the station from 2-6 p.m. Tuesday. View the 40-by-20-foot layout that features four primary main lines with eight long side tracks, 25 buildings including churches and restaurants and eight major industrial facilities named after area plants.

During the month of December, viewing is 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and noon-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Enjoy a presentation on Herman Frasch and the Founding of the Union Sulphur Company, 1896 to 1924 at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Buckley said in those days, the sulfur would have been transported by rail. Some was heated and put in tank cars, but about 90 percent was shipped in open gondola and hopper cars down to Sabine Pass where it was loaded onto ships.