This train is made of chocolate! And its journey helps others

The first reaction is almost inevitable: “Wait. Is that really all chocolate?” Then you notice the wheels, windows and locomotive and want to look closer, as though a shop window had opened onto an entire miniature world.

The Fiera Campionaria display in Bergamo, held from 29 October to 1 November, has ended. The next event announced by the organisers is in Milan on 11 November, with several restored carriages and a small charity auction. It will not feature the complete train.

The 55.27-metre record and the seven carriages displayed in Bergamo

Guinness records the achievement in Milan on 26 January 2026 and describes an old-style sculpture made entirely of chocolate, with one locomotive and 22 carriages.

Bergamo’s fair programme listed seven carriages in the Central Gallery, rather than the entire 55-metre sculpture. That distinction matters when viewing photographs and announcements from its different stops.

Wheels, details and patient hands

Maltese master chocolatier Andrew Farrugia led the project alongside the expertise of the Bergamo and Brescia pastry consortia. Its official website also describes the involvement of schools, students and teachers: a workshop where younger people could learn alongside experienced professionals.

Guinness recounts months of preparation, modelling and assembly. Farrugia describes around 5,000 hand-cut pieces. Moving the work also required particular care: a sculpture can be enormous and still be fragile.

That is a lovely detail to share with children. Before the photograph beside the train came people measuring, trying again, waiting and working together. The wheels are worth a second look for that reason too.

Another journey: towards people who need support

Alongside the sculpture, the overall project raises funds through special chocolate bars. Winter Games Express names Bergamo’s Associazione Cure Palliative ODV-ETS and St. Michael Hospice in Malta as its beneficiaries.

For the four days of the Campionaria, the event page announced chocolate-bar sales supporting the Associazione Cure Palliative in Bergamo. That was the beneficiary named for this stop, as distinct from those of the wider project.

Behind those organisations are people living through difficult days and families who need support. A simple chocolate bar can help care reach someone facing illness, and the people beside them.

The Bergamo display has ended

The display in the Central Gallery at Fiera di Bergamo, via Lunga, ran from 29 October to 1 November 2026, with free admission. That stop has ended, while the project continues towards Milan.

Milan, 11 November: what has been announced

Confartigianato Lombardia announces a closing event in Milan on 11 November from 5.30pm, at Showroom Alea, Via Alessio de Tocqueville 12. The programme includes some restored carriages and a small charity auction, rather than promising the complete train assembled there. Contact the organisers for admission arrangements.

The locomotive is intended to find a permanent home at Turin’s Chocolate and Gianduja Museum. Meanwhile, the Mezz’ora di Economia episode published by Confartigianato Bergamo explores the project. The embedded programme is from 3 February 2026, before the autumn fair.

Next stop: Milan, 11 November. Contact the organisers to find out how to see the restored carriages and take part in the charity event.