Track the Dates: The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express 2024 Display Schedule
There are many things to love about Christmas in Grand Rapids – among them: visiting a Christmas train.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express (formerly the “Breton Village train”) is back on display at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum this December.
Filled with nods to President Ford, there’s even more new details to look for on this year’s visit.
You can visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express Saturday, December 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025, during museum open hours.
* Visiting the train is free, but tickets are needed to visit the galleries.
Train Display Features
Train lovers of all ages flock to this display each year, with its many nods to Gerald R Ford’s life in Grand Rapids, including South High School, Bill’s Place diner, the Quonset hut used in his congressional campaign, and even a miniature version of the iconic statue that greets visitors outside of the Museum.
Recently, a replica of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum itself has been added, too!
New additions for 2024 include:
- University of Michigan Highlights: A nod to President Ford’s alma mater including Burton Memorial Tower, Hatcher Graduate Library, and the Big House
- Herpolsheimer’s Department Store: The famous Grand Rapids department store where Betty Ford worked as a fashion coordinator
- A new Ford50 train car, honoring the 50th anniversary of President Ford being sworn in as the 38th President of the United States
Location and Hours
Location
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Website
Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The train display is free to visit, but the rest of the museum requires paid admission.
The Breton Village Train Display – A Holiday Tradition for Many
The train was not always the Gerald R Ford Presidential Express.
Here’s a look back at where it started, and how it came to be at the museum:
For most of the 2010s, I took my kids to see the trains run at Breton Village Mall.
The holiday display was fantastic and offered free fun for the whole family. We’d go every year and play I Spy – and sometimes visit Santa, too.
In fact, for nearly thirty years, this whimsical miniature train display entertained families at Breton Village Mall and was a treasured West Michigan holiday tradition.
Created and maintained by Herb DeVries and his family, the train set was carefully maintained with hours upon hours of their time and talent, just because it brought joy to others.
In 2017, Breton Village removed the indoor section of the mall, leaving the Breton Village holiday train without a display space. Also, Herb and his wife Shirley were not able to keep up with the tremendous amount of work required to keep the train running.
We thought that was the end of this iconic holiday staple when the train was put into storage.
Thankfully, though, that’s not where the story of the “Breton Village Train” ends.
With no place to display the train in 2017, the train was put in storage and the owner’s children considered selling the pieces.
But Clare Schubert, a staff member at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, tracked down the train and brought it to the Gerald R. Ford Museum in 2018. Three years later, the train officially got its new name: The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express.
Now in its new home, the display includes many nods to Gerald R. Ford’s life in Grand Rapids — even a miniature version of the museum complete with the iconic statue of Gerald R. Ford himself.
What will you spy when you visit?
I would like to take a youngster to see the model trains in the museum. Reading this site, I can’t determine if the trains can be seen every day the facility is open, or if they can only be seen on the remaining date (Jan 5, 2025) listed. Please advise.
Thank You.
Hello!
I believe it is every day the museum is open. If you have further questions it might be worth it to give them a call. Thanks!