By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department is revving up its holiday cheer with the company’s fourth annual Christmas-time model train display, featuring various locomotives and a scavenger hunt.

The railway vehicle showcase is located at the department’s North Station at 249 Ocean Parkway. According to Joe Enste, the OPVD’s president and public information officer, visitors can expect a variety of trains, ranging in size and era, “spanning from the early 1900s to more modern models from the 2000s.”

The arrangement has expanded this time around. Enste said last season that the project was made possible by the efforts of him, his father, Don Enste, and lifelong family friend, Mark Libertini, who combined their personal train collections to create the exhibit.

Other fire volunteers and officials have also gotten in on the fun since the program’s launch four years ago. This year, the department has added trains and has refreshed the track layouts to include additional figure-8 designs, Enste said.

“We’re also excited to feature several trains that were generously donated to the department by members of our community,” he added.

The fire president explained that the yearly display is built, maintained, and operated by Don Enste and Libertini, who work with other OPVFD members to ensure the presentation is operating.

While viewing the toy cars, attendees will be able to hear from members of the OPVFD who built the display about the history and significance of model trains, and talk with the community’s public safety personnel.

Organizers hope that not only does the showcase foster some Christmas spirit in Ocean Pines but also strengthens neighborhood ties among residents and the citizens who help keep them protected.

“Our display offers a unique experience for all ages and generations — from grandparents who reminisce about the trains they had around their Christmas trees as children, to today’s kids who associate trains with characters like Thomas or ‘The Polar Express,’” Enste said.

“It creates a shared space where everyone can come together, reconnect, and simply be a kid again, leaving the stresses of everyday life behind for a while.”

Furthermore, the train display is interactive. Enste said visitors will have the option to participate in a scavenger hunt, which consists of 13 questions. These inquiries can only be answered by carefully examining the presentation.

 “Some questions require participants to count specific items throughout the exhibit, while others highlight and introduce the various sponsors who help make the display possible,” Enste said.

Scavenger hunt forms can be picked up at the North Station upon arrival. Once completed, the sheets may be dropped in a designated box. In January, one winner, with the correct answers, will be selected to receive a prize.

The fire department’s model train display will be viewable to the public throughout December. It’s open on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Serpone’s Pizzeria has returned for the second year in a row as the train project’s presenting sponsor, said Enste. Ocean Pines Handyman and Realtor Cindy Poremski have also joined the initiative as featured sponsors. At the same time, Dandy Don’s Bike Rentals, Preston Automotive Group, McGee Fence, and My Backyard are scavenger hunt sponsors.

“We also extend special thanks to Seaside Hobbies and the Delaware Seaside Railroad Club for their continued support,” the fire president added.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, Santa will make a special appearance at the exhibit, and the department will finally select a winner of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler.