When the first snow falls and the holiday season begins, every city becomes even more frantically busy than usual. From last minute Christmas shoppers to children romping in the snow, Christmas in the City captures the yuletide hustle and bustle of celebrating the holidays when you live and work downtown. Enticing all, model railroad shops sprang up in cities across the country. Today, holiday traditions include everything from a simple circular track under the tree to a train weaving through your Department 56 Village. The animated train circles above the door. About Department 56: For 40 years, Department 56 has been creating holiday traditions passed down from generation to generation. The excitement of the holiday season comes home with intricately detailed villages from settings that inspire the imagination. Stroll through a small American town, enjoy a walk with Charles Dickens, or visit Santa in the North Pole. Our ornaments and figurines create even more opportunities to spread good wishes during the happiest time of the year.