Name: Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers
Address: 2953 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown, NY, 11756, US
Telephone: (516) 735-6370

Our Story

A Legacy Built on Steel & Steam

Founded in June 1983, the Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization and one of the most respected O-gauge model railroad clubs in the Northeast. What began as a group of Long Island train enthusiasts has grown into an institution — a Levittown landmark that has welcomed thousands of families, collectors, and first-time visitors through its doors for over four decades.

NLOE built the current layout from scratch — now recognized as one of the largest O-gauge installations in the United States.

As a proud member of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce and Levittown Town Council community, NLOE has co-designed exclusive Long Island themed club cars with Lionel since 1989 — each a numbered, limited-edition collectible. The club averages 10 open house days per year, takes its portable layout to community events annually, and installs static Lionel displays at four Long Island public libraries each holiday season. Admission to every open house is always free.

Polar Express climbs the mountain on the NLOE layout

From the President

Walt's Note

"The Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers has been a cornerstone of Long Island's model railroading community for decades. What started as a group of Long Island train enthusiasts has grown into one of the most impressive O-gauge layouts in the Northeast — built track by track, mountain by mountain, by generations of dedicated members. Every open house, every Friday night operating session, every child who presses their face against the glass and watches a train go by — that's what this is all about."

— Walt Enderley, President, Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers

Come Visit — Free Admission Always

2026 Open House Schedule

We open our doors to the public throughout the year. Trains run all day, admission is always free, and everyone is welcome — from first-time visitors to lifelong collectors.

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★ Spring 2026

March 21, 2026 SAT

Spring Open House — Day 1

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
2953 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown
Free admission · All ages welcome

RSVP Now

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★ Spring 2026

March 22, 2026 SUN

Spring Open House — Day 2

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
2953 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown
Free admission · All ages welcome

RSVP Now

Fall 2026

October 17, 2026 SAT

Fall Open House — Day 1

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
2953 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown
Free admission · All ages welcome

RSVP Now

Fall 2026

October 18, 2026 SUN

Fall Open House — Day 2

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
2953 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown
Free admission · All ages welcome

RSVP Now

December 2026 🎄

Holiday Open Houses

Saturdays & Sundays 1–4 PM · Fridays 8–10 PM

First Weekend
Friday, December 4         8–10 pm
Saturday, December 5      1–4 pm
Sunday, December 6        1–4 pm

Second Weekend
Friday, December 11        8–10 pm
Saturday, December 12     1–4 pm
Sunday, December 13       1–4 pm

As Always — Admission is FREE!

RSVP for Holiday

Getting Here 📍

Directions

Basement of 2953 Hempstead Tpke.
Entrance in rear of building, behind Sabor a Colombia Restaurant & Bar.
From Wantagh Pkwy: take Hempstead Tpk (Rt. 24) east. Left at 4th light (Division Ave). Right into parking lot behind stores. Sign at end of row.

⚠️ Not handicapped accessible.

Holiday Locomotive

Our Holiday Special

A Holiday Tradition

Holiday at NLOE

Every December, NLOE transforms into a winter wonderland. Trains run past lit-up villages — the legendary Polar Express, the North Pole locomotive, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, and the fan favorite Thomas the Tank Engine and friends.

Thousands of Long Island families have made our holiday open houses a seasonal tradition. The perfect outing for kids, grandparents, and everyone in between.

RSVP for Holiday

Reserve Your Spot

RSVP for an Open House

No tickets needed — admission is always free. RSVPs help us plan and keep you updated on any schedule changes.

First & Last Name

Email Address

Phone (optional)

Which Date?

Number of Guests

Notes (optional)

Four Decades of History

The NLOE Story

1983

The Beginning

Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers is founded in June 1983 by a group of Long Island train enthusiasts united by a love of Lionel trains.

1989

Club Car Program Begins

NLOE launches its annual club car program — the first car a Long Island-decorated Lionel boxcar. The program continues to this day, producing limited-edition Long Island themed collectibles in partnership with Lionel.

2000

A New Home

After a building ownership change forces the club to vacate its original home, NLOE rebuilds from scratch at a new Levittown location — constructing an even larger, more ambitious layout.

Today

A Levittown Landmark

NLOE runs 10+ open houses per year, takes the portable layout to community events annually, and welcomes thousands of visitors through its doors.

Trains in the Yard

Long Island #146 Steam

Steam locomotive at the yard — NLOE Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers O-gauge layout

Steam at the Yard

Yard Workers

Engine Yard

Mountain Tunnels

Mainline Curve

Steam locomotive through the yard — NLOE O-gauge layout Long Island train show

Steam Through the Yard

Union Pacific 3983

State of Maine Freight Cars

Diesel Engines

Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive — NLOE O-gauge model train club

Pennsylvania Steam

Hot Air Balloons

Gantry Crane

Toby Brothers Coal

Wide view of NLOE O-gauge model train layout — Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Levittown NY

Layout Wide View

The Boneyard

The Grand Theater

Engine Lineup

Long Island Caboose

Getting Ready For the Holidays

Coaling Tower Yard

What Visitors Say

98% Recommended

★★★★★

"If you are a fan of model railroads — whether you are young or old, this is the place for you. It's great to watch the young and young at heart marvel at the breadth of the layout and its various themed sections."

— Yelp Visitor Review

★★★★★

"Went today, March 21. Me and my wife enjoyed it very much. All the detail was amazing. Planning on going in October."

— Glenn Nilsen, Facebook

★★★★★

"Absolutely amazing — my kids were in awe the whole time. The level of detail is unlike anything I've ever seen. We'll definitely be back for the next open house."

— Google Review

Get to Know the Layout

Engineering at Scale

The NLOE layout spans 35 × 80 feet — 2,800 square feet of O-gauge railroading. Four main lines, a mountain line, subway lines, and a trolley line all running together. A roundhouse with turntable packed with steam. Built entirely by hand by club members. You can find out more and see the layout being made HERE.

35 × 80Foot Layout

One of the largest O-gauge layouts in the Northeast, built entirely by hand

2,800Square Feet

A full city, mountain country, harbor, and carnival packed into 2,800 sq ft

4Main Lines

Two freight mains and two passenger mains running simultaneously

3Specialty Lines

Dedicated mountain line, subway lines, and a working trolley line

Hidden Gems

What Makes NLOE One of a Kind

Every visit you'll spot something new. A few of the layout's signature scenes:

Sunshine Biscuits Factory

Modeled on the real plant in Long Island City — a tribute to the borough's industrial heritage.

The River Scene

A working river scene inspired by Bruce Springsteen's The River — a Jersey shoreline tribute hiding in plain sight.

Mining & Coal Hauling

Mining and coal hauling are built into the layout's economy — operating freight that actually moves goods between scenes.

Rocket Launcher · DEFCON 4

A working rocket launcher that fires up to Level 4 DEFCON. Cold War kitsch at its finest.

Carnival in Full Swing

A working Ferris wheel and merry-go-round anchor a full carnival scene — lights and motion synchronized.

Hot Air Balloons Above

Hot air balloons drift above the layout — look up to catch them between mountain peaks.

The Hot Dog Dog

A miniature dog frozen mid-chase, stealing a string of hot dogs. Kid-favorite scavenger hunt find.

A Wedding in Miniature

A full wedding ceremony frozen in miniature — every guest, every detail.

Holiday Tree Lot

A seasonal tree lot with shoppers and stacked trees — fully decorated each holiday season.

Roundhouse & Turntable

A working roundhouse and turntable packed with steam locomotives — operating just like the real thing.

Mountain · Subway · Trolley

Beyond the four mains: a dedicated mountain line, subway lines, and a working trolley line — all running together.

Operating Railroad Water Tower

A fully functional railroad water tower — the spout swings out and lowers to fill steam locomotives at the yard, just like the real thing.

Can You Find Them All?

The NLOE Scavenger Hunt

The layout rewards patient eyes. Here are just a few of the hidden moments waiting to be discovered on your next visit:

🎈 Balloon Crash

A hot air balloon has crash-landed near the mountain line. A ground crew is on the scene.

🚒 Fire Trucks Responding

The Sunshine Biscuits fire station has its trucks rolling. Something's happening on the block.

🚀 The Rocket Ship

Somewhere on the layout, a rocket is ready for launch. Can you find it?

🌊 The Harbor Tugboat

An orange tugboat works the Long Island harbor under the railroad lift bridge.

🎡 The Ferris Wheel

A full Ferris wheel stands behind the city skyline — lit up and turning.

🚇 The Subway

A working subway line runs beneath the city. Watch carefully — you can see it at street level.

Come Find Them — RSVP for an Open House

We Come to You

NLOE on the Road — Serving the Community

We're all about serving the community — hospitals, schools, libraries, fairs, and special events across Long Island. We bring the trains to you and engage with people of all ages. If you can't make it to Levittown, NLOE will come to you.