Community Display | Hamilton VIC

Sunday: 30 November

Christmas Magic at Hamilton’s Historic Miniature Trains

A Leap of Faith in the Rain
The morning greeted us with grey skies and steady rain as we headed to the Hamilton historic miniature trains. Cold and wet? Absolutely. Discouraged? Not a chance! We trusted God had a plan and set up anyway, working alongside the enthusiastic miniature train volunteers who were buzzing with preparation. And then, as if on cue, the sun broke through the clouds and visitors began trickling in.
Lara and Raven from The Spectator (Hamilton’s local paper) arrived with cameras in hand, capturing the festive scene unfolding around us.

All Aboard!
The organizers offered us the honor of the very first miniature train ride of the day—and what a delightful way to kick things off! There’s something wonderfully childlike about riding a miniature train, no matter your age. A sausage sizzle filled the air with mouthwatering aromas, while children squealed with joy in the sandpit nearby. We gratefully distributed Overlander books to the dedicated train volunteers, as well as the local Fire Brigade and SES volunteers who’d come to support the event.
The morning started quietly, with just a handful of community members wandering through. But we’ve learned that patience is part of the journey.

When the Clouds Part, the Crowds Arrive
Around lunchtime, everything changed! A large group descended upon the station, and suddenly the miniature train was packed with eager passengers. The weather continued its moody performance—rain, then sunshine, then gusty winds—but nothing could dampen the festive spirit.
Pastor John Gibson arrived with reinforcements from the church, and his wife Michelle joined us a little later. Their presence was such an encouragement, especially during those slower morning hours. While some of our team minded Bubsie, others explored the model train setup in the shed behind the station, where one dedicated enthusiast had spent his entire morning coaxing his steam engine to life. His perseverance paid off, and passengers were treated to authentic steam-powered rides!

Warming Hearts and Hands
We took turns ducking into the car for lunch breaks and precious moments of warmth. Our spirits lifted even more when a group of vintage car enthusiasts made a special trip to admire Bubsie—kindred spirits who understand the love of classic vehicles!
Then came the moment every child had been waiting for: Santa arrived on the train, ho-ho-ho-ing his way through the crowd and distributing toys that lit up little faces with pure Christmas joy.

A Perfect Ending
As the event wound down, John and Michelle savored one final train ride together. After we collapsed the gazebo, Michelle got her turn experiencing Bubsie firsthand—a fitting way to thank them for their support. With Bubsie safely tucked in her trailer, we headed back to the caravan park.

Sitting in front of the heater, slowly thawing out, we reflected on the day. Despite the unpredictable weather and the slow start, God had brought the right people at the right time. Sometimes faith means setting up in the rain and trusting that the sun—and the blessings—will come.