Matt Johnson

Next stop: Lionelville®

This year, Lionel Trains is celebrating its 125th anniversary. We’ve been proud partners since our first LIONEL® Trains ornament released in 1996, and almost 30 years later we’re still finding new ways to surprise our collectors. This year’s Lionel table decoration, our first ever, began with a 2004 ornament by retired artist Ken Crow. Matt Johnson customized it with a fresh color palette, new train models and an anniversary billboard.

“I used a three-dimensional scanner to create the basic framework, then resculpted and added in all the textures and colors—and every single rock. I loved the process of fine-tuning those details,” Matt says.

He also collaborated with Keepsake Engineer Samantha Heryford to rebuild the mechanics and develop new magic features. The result is a 360-degree interactive scene with moving trains and railroad crossing arms, tunnels, lights, sound and a controller that allows you to change the direction of the trains. All aboard!

“Next stop: Lionelville®” 2025 Dream Book: 30