The Toronto Christmas Train Show will have more than 50 displays and operating layouts of scale models in all known gauges. (Handout)

Here's where grownups become kids in toyland.

Become immersed in childhood memorabilia in a wonderland of toys -- in fact more trains, planes, boats, automobiles, Barbie dolls, teddy bears and stuffed animals than in Santa's toy shop.

They'll be on display, including some to be played with, at upcoming Toronto-area shows along with others in Woodstock, Kitchener, Brantford and London.

The Toronto Christmas Train Show is Nov. 20 and 21 while the Toronto Toy and Doll Collector's Show happens Nov. 21, both at the International Centre in Mississauga.

The Toronto Show Promotions events organized by Doug Jarvis of Grimsby for more than 35 years, also has a toy, train and doll auction on Nov. 19 (preview at 5 p.m., sale at 7 p.m.) at the centre.

The auction will include Barbie doll collections, teddy bears, trains, trucks, cars and much more, Jarvis said.

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All aboard for the Toronto train show that attracts railroad enthusiasts, modellers and families to view more than 50 displays and operating layouts of scale models in all

known gauges.

"We will have an outstanding collection of Lionel trains at the show," Jarvis said, noting that his favourite as a kid was the Marx trains that will be there as well.

Other popular models, including American Flyer, and others from the past will be displayed and running in layouts set up by area model railroad clubs.

There will also be trains popular with children in Germany, Austria and Great Britain.

Some of the layouts will be interactive, with kids able to run the trains themselves by pushing the buttons and blowing the whistles.

Experienced modellers will show how to plan layouts and make scenery.

Railway vendors will have toy and model trains for sale, sets, kits, accessories, videos, photos, books, prints, slides, timetables, lanterns, caps and "real railroadania."

For fans of early railroading, members of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association will be on hand.

"It's a place to come to renew those magical memories of our train sets of old or come and get started on a layout for the grandchild (OK, maybe yourself)," Jarvis said.

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The toy show is where people can see what amused them in the 1950s and '60s along with baby boomer favourites and those appealing to the kids of today.

There will be some 350 tables of toys, dolls and teddy bears from the turn of the century to modern space-age toys, racecars and hi-tech dolls.

This includes a huge selection of top collectibles -- Dinky toy cars and trucks made from the 1930s to 1964, Barbie dolls, Matchbox cars from the 1950s and Mechano building kits.

Some rarities will turn up in the identification clinic where visitors can find out how old that toy is in the attic and if it's worth anything.

Earlier finds included a cast-iron bank in the shape of a bison from the late 1920s and tin jalopies from Germany worth thousands of dollars.

There will be experts assisting with dolls needing "medical repairs" for loss of limbs or in need of new clothing or wigs.

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Other shows include:

- Woodstock Toy and Collectibles Show on Sunday (Oct. 31) and Dec. 5 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds, 875 Nellis St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

- Kitchener Model Train Show, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., features model train vendors, railroad memorabilia and operating layouts. Bingemans (Marshall Hall), 425 Bingemans Centre Drive.

- Woodstock Nostalgia Show and Sale, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with small antiques, old tin toys, vintage paper and other collectibles. Woodstock Fairgrounds, 875 Nellis St.

- London Toy and Collectibles Show, Nov. 28, and the Model Train Show and Sale, Dec. 12, Centennial Hall, 550 Wellington St., 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

- Brantford Toy and Collectibles Show, Dec. 19, Civic Centre Auditorium, 69 Market St. S., 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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If you go:

The Toronto Train, Toy and Doll Collector's shows are at the International Centre (6900 Airport Rd.), Mississauga, just north of Pearson International Airport.

Admission is $12; $10, seniors, $5, ages six to 12; no charge, to age six to attend both shows; the auction is free. There will be a $2 adult discount coupon on the website.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 20 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Details: www.antiquetoys.ca; (905) 945-2775; info@antiquetoys.ca

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com