The ride-on train was indeed a fixture at the E.W.Edwards store on Main Street. It was set up in the basement at holiday time and traveled through what I remember to be a rather "cheesy" Santa Land...just some storage areas normally out of public view. The train was a diesel style and I believe was electrically powered through the rails. Although the "scenery" was nothing special, the indoor ride itself was unusual, noisy, and lots of fun.
Midtown Plaza, designed by Victor Gruen, was regarded as a model of urban planning and development. In addition to two large anchor stores, McCurdy's and Foremans', the plaza had many specialty stores, a super market (Wegmans), and a street level bus terminal for Regional Transit and Trailways buses. Below the mall was a three level underground garage with freight loading tunnels accessed from remote locations. Above the mall was an office tower topped by a hotel and restaurant. While the mall was demolished, the garage and skeleton of the tower were retained and are being redeveloped. I believe the City has retained and stored the monorail but its future as a "ride" is certainly problematic.
Sibleys was the leader of the pack in Rochester retailing. The store itself was reputed to be the largest department store between New York and Chicago. The fourth floor toy department was a seasonal mecca for train lovers. There were large Lionel and American Flyer layouts set up each year. I remember the Lionel layouts as differing from year to year, but the AF layout stayed the same. It has the distinction of having survived the disappearance of the company and of the store. Articles have appeared in rail publications about the Sibley's AF layout.
Rochester is also famous for the Police Athletic League layout at Edgerton Park. The four seasonal displays have also survived and are periodically open to the public.
Joe S
