Volunteer Charles Walker of Chicago poses near the North Shore landmark display. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Now here’s a New Year’s resolution to keep your family on track right after the holidays. How about an early January visit to the Wonderland Express, a Chicago Botanic Garden train exhibit at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe?

The winter attraction has become a holiday tradition for many families and runs through Jan. 7.

Scenes to see at .the Wonderland Express route (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Expect to see an array of plants plus traditional miniature trains. There are blue and red engines with themes meant for the youngest of train fans.

“My grandson loves Thomas the Tank Engine the best,” said Lindy Lynk of Glenview, who visited the garden with her grandson on the morning of Dec. 14.

Of the display, “I think it’s absolutely beautiful.”

Betsy Brittsan of Glenview was also there that morning with her grandson Finn Barasa, 4, of Morton Grove. Finn tried to catch the snow that fell over the Thomas the Tank Engine area.

“He could literally stay here all day,” Brittsan said, of Finn.

Lucy Dalton (right) of Arlington Heights watches the train (hidden) go by and appears delighted with her doll Margaret (lower along the tracks). Lucy said her baby doll is 6 months old. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

With the assistance of a train staff expert, Finn got to go behind the scenes to see how Thomas the Tank Engine is controlled.

“He’ll never forget this,” Brittsan said, of Finn. “He will talk about this for a long time.”

Brittsan takes care of Finn during the week and “We try to enjoy as many things as we can together,” said the youngster’s grandmother.

“It’s a joy to see the joy on his face,” she said.

“We’re making memories.”

The exhibit features handcrafted Chicago and North Shore landmarks in miniature.

Scenes to see at .the Wonderland Express route (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Natural materials are used to make the buildings (many illuminated) and the falling snow is part of the magic.

Every now and then, volunteers and staff must sweep the tracks that Thomas the Tank Engine rides on to clear it of snow to keep wheels smooth.

Thomas the Tank Engine goes by. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Charles Walker of Chicago is a garden volunteer. In Nichols Hall, he described the Chicago landmarks.

“This exhibit gets more amazing every year when I see it,” Walker said.

“You have the buildings, you have the plants, you have the snow falling.

“How often do you see snow falling inside a building?” Walker said.

Walker said it’s a privilege to share his longtime love of trains with the generations.

“The most exciting part of the railroad is the look on the kids’ faces when they see the trains for the first time,” Walker said.

Finn Barasa, 4, of Morton Grove, tries to catch snowflakes near the Thomas the Tank Engine train. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Wonderland Express is a paid entry attraction. A local North Shore bakery helped with part of the exhibit where baked treats and gingerbread confections are part of that train display section.

“It is fun here being an engineer at the garden,” Walker said.

“Come on out to the Wonderland Express.”

Visit  Chicago Botanic Garden web site

— All aboard for the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Wonderland Express . —-