7,000 annual visitors. $30,000-$40,000 in revenues. Over 4,000 square feet of trains, tracks and displays.

The Festival of Trains – a popular annual holiday event hosted by the History Center of Traverse City and Northern Michigan RailRoad Club (NMRRC) – has generated several significant numbers in its 23-year history. Founded in 1991 by Dave Walker and Rick Antosh, the festival has evolved from its original roots as a club event held at the City Opera House (where it took place from 1991 to 2001) to a major nonprofit fundraiser for the History Center, which took over hosting duties in 2003. The festival raised $28,000-$34,000 annually for the History Center over the last three years, according to Executive Director Maddie Lundy.

NMRRC, which became an official nonprofit in 2003, has also grown alongside the event. Thirty-one members now work year-round to meticulously maintain the hundreds of miniature buildings, sets and working train cars that are displayed in the six Festival of Trains exhibits. The group receives $6,000 annually as part of its contract with the History Center to loan and maintain the exhibits.

“Each exhibit has grown in size, and we change the displays every year,” says NMRRC Treasurer Bill Parrish. This year's festival – which kicks off today (Saturday) and runs through January 3 – will feature a Christmas theme featuring a “nostalgic look that centers on the early years of our country,” says Parrish. 25 NMRRC volunteers, 12 History Center volunteers and two History Center staff will rotate in shifts to run the event during its three-week course.

Up to 450 people a day crowd into the History Center to see the trains – a stark contrast to a typical off-season museum day, which might see an average of 5-25 people, says Lundy. Seniors and families often visit the event in large groups, and numerous school field trips are scheduled – including classrooms of special-needs students. In honor of those guests, NMRRC sets up the exhibits to sit 32 inches above the ground: eye level for a child or a visitor in a wheelchair.

“Children with autism are often drawn to things that are repetitive, so they really love the trains,” says Lundy. “We offer family passes for $25 so that people can come to the event every day if they'd like.” Lundy says some repeat visitors spend an hour or more daily at the festival during its run. (Regular daily admission is $5 or free for ages four and under.)

The long hours of continuously operating equipment does take its toll on exhibits, Parrish says. His group calculated that some of the engines on the largest O-gauge layout – comprised of nearly 400 feet of track – will run the equivalent of 400 miles during one festival. Though NMRRC alternates trains to try and lessen the wear and tear, the group still spends roughly $4,500 each year replacing and refurbishing trains. The entire exhibit collection has an insurable value of $25,000, Parrish says.

While these figures help provide a glimpse into the scope and impact of the popular event – whose future is still in flux as the History Center continues to move through lease negotiations with the city – Parrish says one set of numbers defines the Festival of Trains more than any other.

“When we open up, you'll see kids from age 5 to 92 in here,” Parrish says. “It brings a lot of joy to people. The community loves it.”