The Manhattan Railway Christmas Tree Train Trestle

Launched in 1875, the Manhattan Railway marked the beginning of the use of elevated trestles in U.S. cities, a wood and iron structure that became an iconic fixture of railway technology. Handcrafted from handmilled stained walnut, this trestle sits 9 5/8″ from a floor and provides a 43 3/4″-diam. opening that accommodates trees from 6′ – 6 1/2′-tall. Circled with nearly 28′ of brass railing in two rows, the 13′ 7″-long hand-bent track’s pre-drilled brads rest atop 181 ties, laid by hand with 724 hand-driven contrasting metal spikes. The included G-scale 0-6-0 steam locomotive is built in Germany, runs with a real light, and pulls a two-bay hopper and a caboose, all three of which circle a tree at your command using the included throttle and control unit. Smoke- and sound-free, the train operates autonomously without interfering with one’s preferred holiday scents and songs.Price $1,800

Hammacher Schlemmer