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Lego train show continues Sunday at Cantigny Park

The Northern Illinois Lego Train Club held its 13th annual free Christmas show Saturday at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. The event continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

"We normally get about 10,000 people through here for the weekend show," said Brian Williams, a member of the club. "It's a very popular show. Families keep coming back year after year."

The Northern Illinois Lego Train Club has existed for 15 years and currently has 20 members.

"We all build little pieces of this train display because our wives would never allow us to build something like this in our homes. That's the advantage of being in a club," said Williams.

According to Williams, visitors enjoy the variety of themed Lego displays in the show.

"They like the large buildings," he said, adding that club members work collaboratively on the displays. "Each of us contribute one or two buildings, with the Willis Tower, of course, being the tallest.

"They also love Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and all the little themed TV shows of things they think they could build. The trains, of course, tie everything together," Williams said.

A 10-foot-long Lego replica of the U.S.S. Nicholas, a Fletcher Class destroyer that was commissioned June 4, 1942, was a hit during the show.

"I like Fletcher Class destroyers," said Don Purney of Carol Stream, who brought his wife and their grandson to the show. "I have built a couple models of them in the past, but this one is really beautiful. I'm at a loss. I'm in awe,"

This year, a Lego-filled Battle of the Bulge display was being exhibited at the First Division Museum, marking the 70th anniversary of the famous fight.

And those who bring a new and unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots drop boxes at the visitors center will get their parking fee waived. The park and museum are at 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.

  Michael Schlereth, 9, of Winfield keeps an eye on the tracks during the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club's 13th annual Christmas show at Cantigny Park Saturday in Wheaton. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  A Lego cityscape is available for viewing this weekend during the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club's 13th annual Christmas show at Cantigny Park in Wheaton Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Don Purney of Carol Stream photographs a Lego replica of the U.S.S. Nicholas, a Fletcher Class destroyer that was commissioned June 4, 1942, at the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club's 13th annual Christmas show Saturday at Cantigny Park in Wheaton Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Brian Williams, a member of the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club, says that more than 10,000 people will attend the 13th annual Christmas show at Cantigny Park this weekend in Wheaton Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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