Christmas Trains: Tradition, Beauty and Fun!

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 9 people | Log in to rate

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The pattern was set years ago, while you were still a kid growing up. First you put up the Christmas tree. Then you got out the old Lionel train set, put together an oval of track, attached the transformer and plugged it in. You put Engine 2048 on the track, turned the throttle, and magic happened.

Feel like some Christmas songs while perusing this lens? Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the Amazon widget! You'll hear sound bites of popular Christmas songs while viewing this lens! By the way, if you decide to look at one of the videos posted here, don't forget to stop the music or you'll have an audio trainwreck!

Christmas Still a Ways Away! 

Have You Done a Critique of Your Christmas Layout?

Answer some questions and take some steps early and you'll save some headaches next year!
1. What was your favorite part of this year's layout? How can you expand on it?
2. What piece of equipment didn't look or function the way you wanted? Put it someplace where you will remember to work on it when you have nothing to do. A little touch-up on 25 things over the course of a year is a lot easier than having to do everything the Saturday after Thanksgiving!
3. What piece of equipment would you like to add? In a down economy folks are selling things at a discount! Look at hobby shops and train shops. Look on eBay for equipment being sold by folks who need cash! You'll be helping yourself and them! Things are always cheaper during the off-season.
4. What piece of equipment do you have that you want to get rid of? See #3, above. Sell it for cash at a garage sale or on eBay and use the proceeds to upgrade the equipment you have.
5. Now is the time to start acquiring the parts of the layout that you want to add for next Christmas. Looking around during slow times for hobby shops is a great way to pick up some deals. Don't forget eBay as a source for the cars and track you need!
6. Have you checked around for local model train clubs. The folks there can give you some great tips about the best or easiest way to create some of the effects you are looking for.
7. Read. Read. Read. Ideas will come as you look at magazines, books, and websites.

Don't forget to start early. Some projects take a long time, even for something as small as a double loop around the tree! If you are going to build a model house, kitbash a building, or even just touch up the paint on two or three figurines that your dog decided looked like tasty morsels, that is best done when you are not in the midst of heavy Christmas decorating. Spend that time around the Holidays enjoying your trains, not wishing that you had done something a few weeks or months earlier!

Now, Back to What You Came Here For!
One of the Great Joys of Running Trains Around the Christmas Tree is Hearing Folks Say, "WOW!" Christmas parties are on their way. Santa is not far behind! Will Your Layout be Ready?

Setting the Scene 

A train display at Christmastime is all about memories, traditions, and fun. A steam train running around a fir tree lets you think back to a simpler time. Setting up the layout can be a tremendous bonding time between Dad and the rest of the family. And it's a good way to start building traditions that your kids will carry on long after they've started their own families!

Even without a train, it's possible to put together a Christmas wonderland if you choose the right items.

According to Your Train Ticket Your Destination Is . . . 

You Don't Have A Ticket

While a train and a tree are a great combination, a train without a place to go is a very sad thing. So, the next step is to create a theme around which the scene is built. If we were writing a play, we would call this setting the scene. It's the introduction of the locale and the people involved.

The theme doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as "a train running through farmland." Or you might choose "an urban scene from the 1970's." You might even go as far as choosing a specific time and place. I've seen a nice layout specifically built around Dallas, TX, with recognizable landmarks.

Just Model Trains, A Station and a Tree 

3 Loops! Looks Great!
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Model Trains on Shirts Make a Great Gift! 

Whether You Still Have Your Old Trains, or You Need a Whole New Set!

$9 Shirts Make Great Gifts or Stocking Stuffers 

Even if They're Not Train Related!

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So What Would the Setting of YOUR Christmas Layout Be? 

Click the Up Arrow Next To Your Layout's Setting and See Where It Ranks!

You've decided to create a Holiday layout for your trains and accessories, but haven't made a decision yet as to what to put in there. Or maybe you have a layout that just needs some major upgrading. If you had it to do from the very start, what would the theme of your layout be? Would you like a rural theme or an urban one? Would you like something Historic or Contemporary? Will there be people there? How about animals?

Tell us where and when your Holiday railroad exsts!

Rural America

Farms, animals and people. No cars, tractors, etc.1 point

Small Town -- Mid-1900's

1 point

Accessories? None for me, thanks.

I like my Christmas layout simple! Just an oval o more...0 points

Small Town. Early 1900's

1900-1930. Few cars. Lots of people walking on the more...0 points

Contemporary Small Town

1970 to the Present0 points

Contemporary Cosmopolitan.

1970 to the Present0 points

Cosmopolitan. Early 1900's

City.0 points

Cosmopolitan - Mid-1900's

0 points

You Never Know How Helpful a Christmas Train Can Be! 

An Ornament, A Train and Some Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Christmas - Ornaments

Ornaments is an award-winning 3D computer animated short story about a mischievous Christmas tree decoration with a hunger for some milk and cookies. By Aaron Erimez. The songs, in chronological order, are: "Habanera" from the opera "Carmen" - George Bizet "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from "The Nutcracker" - Tchaikovsky "Can Can" from "Orpheus in the Underworld" - Offenbach "Barber of Seville" Overture - Rossini "Trepak" from "The Nutcracker" - Tchaikovsky

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Starting to Accessorize Your Holiday Layout 

Building a Village...For When a Simple Oval's Not Enough!

So you've set up the tracks, you've gone through the basics of making sure that your model trains will actually run this year, and it's time to begin the fun of actually creating a scene.

Buildings, people, animals, even scenery makes a tremendous contribution to your display! It is the addition of little things that bring a layout to life!

Sometimes I need a little bit of a push in my creativity. I need to see what is available and what other people are doing. One of the better creators of Holiday Villages is a company called Dept 56 which is actually a division of Lenox. Available at many retailers, you can also find Dept 56 buildings and figurines on eBay. I like looking at eBay so that I can see retired pieces as well as get an idea of items that are available that may not be at my favorite retailer. You can also find some pretty good deals on some of the more common buildings at times.

If you are simply trying to put together a village, and you aren't concerned about the "collectilble" aspect of the pieces, or if your layout will be where little hands can easily reach out and touch the scenery, you can frequently get servicible buildings and figures at WalMart, the Home Depot, Lowes, or hobby stores.

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Woodland Scenics 

Some folks enjoy taking full responsibility for the buildings on their layout, and enjoy constructing the buildings themselves. Railroad Model Craftsman and Model Railroader magazines frequently have plans for constructing structures and scenery.

And you don't have to be completely on your own when it comes to custom layouts. Woodland Scenics is a company that produces kits, accessories, how-to videos, and materials to help you create that special layout! Need to figure out how to get a freight car to look like it has actually traveled the rails rather than just popped out of a box, or how to make a town look alive rather than--well--plastic, or how to achieve the look of running water on the layout without flooding your living room? Woodland Scenics can help!

The Thomas Kinkade Night Before Christmas Story House 

It Might Make a Great Addition to Your Christmas Display

What Are The Necessities? 

You've decided to add Christmas scene to your layout. What are the absolute essentials to make your layout just right? Vote your favorites up, the losers down, or add an idea of your own!

Skating Pond

Animated or Static2 points

Crossing Gate

2 points

School

2 points

Church

1 point

Bakery

1 point

Fire Station

1 point

Horse-Drawn Carriage

1 point

Horse-Drawn Wagon

1 point

Carolers

0 points

Farm

0 points

People

0 points

Animals

0 points

A Train Ride on Christmas Day? 

Bird Riding Christmas Toy Train WATCH

Its December and there is a toy Christmas train. And I put my bird on it. The camera was balanced on the train car behind him. The name of this famous bird is Cocorito (Ko Ko Deeto) With a spanish accent.

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Handcars! 

Lots of Fun in a Little Bit of Space!

Handcars on eBay! 

If you're going to put a handcar on your layout, it is often possible to find them on eBay at a DISCOUNT. Let's see what's there right now!

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I Love Handcars, But I Don't Have One Yet 

Whether they are running on the main line, or they have a dedicated track with a bumper at each end, handcars are a lot of fun on any layout!

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Choosing Your Train 

You're the Yardmaster...What Kind of Train Will You Be Running?

One of the basics of any train layout is the train itself. The first thing you need to decide is what kind of train is going to take that trip around the tree. Will it be a passenger train, a freight train, a hybrid containing both freight and passenger cars, or strictly a fantasy train with all sorts of fun characters and cars (Santa, elves, etc.)

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Christmas Locomotives and Cars 

Sometimes you need something a little bit more festive than realistic. A little bit of fantasy at the base of a Christmas tree works perfectly! Why wouldn't Santa ride on a locomotive? Elves? Of course, they make wonderful railroad workers. And given the right location, snowmen make tremendous railway personnel!

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A Christmas Layout Gone Wild? 

Take a look at this Christmas display! It might give you some wonderful ideas!

Wise Ave VFC 2007 Huge Christmas Model Train Display part 1

Many 'O' gauge trains & animated items are in this video of a Christmas train display

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Don't Let That Layout Go Unphotographed!!!! 

It Makes a GREAT Christmas Card for Next Year!!!

Santa's Christmas Train 

Santa is busy readying for Christmas. However, Santa is having a problem with one of his elves. Lionel, a scattered brained elf, gets confused and builds Santa a hundred foot long train instead of one hundred foot long trains. Maybe this blunder will come in handy when a storm rolls into the North Pole threatening to cancel Christmas.

Santa's Christmas Train is a sweet twist on a traditional story complete with charming full color illustrations. Your young children will laugh at the silliness of Lionel's blunder and cheer when the scatter brained elf saves the day. This book will quickly become part of your holiday traditions.

Santa's Christmas Train

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/03/2009)Buy Now

"A motivating story for children of all ages - Lionel sets a great example that even the littlest can achieve much!" --ABC Schools Magazine

The Polar Express--So Real You Could Touch It! 

Well Ya Comin'? Where? Why, the North Pole Of Course! ALL ABOARD!

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Perhaps the Greatest Christmas Train Movie of All Time! 

"Tickets, please! Tickets! Well, ya coming?"

It's a magic carpet on a rail never takes a rest
Flying through the mountains and the snow
You can ride for free and join the fun if you just say yes.
'Cause that's the way things happen on the Polar Express

Polar Express

You can watch the movie online right now!

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

The Polar Express (Full Screen Edition)

The Full Screen Edition DVD brings the animated classic right into your home!

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

The Polar Express

The Soundtrack "Here we only got one rule--never ever let it cool." Sing Hot Chocolate with Tom Hanks, Silver Bells with Kate Smith, Santa Claus is Coming to Town with Frank Sinatra

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Who Could Possibly Not Like This Music? 

Click The Widget and Listen to the Samples!

I'm a musician by trade, or by avocation. So I listen carefully to the songs in a movie. I LOVE these songs!

Polar Express 

And you may want to bring the book and the movie to life right there on your own display! The Polar Express running through your living room, around your tree would make your layout one of the most memorable in town!

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And the first gift of Christmas is??? 

Better fix that hole in your pocket.

At one time, most of my friends
could hear the bell.
But as years passed,
it fell silent for all of them
Even Sarah found, one Christmas, that she
could no longer hear its sweet sound.

Though I've grown old...

...the bell still rings for me.
As it does for all who truly believe.

Large Polar Express-Style Sleigh Bell

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

If YOU WERE Santa . . . 

 

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Model Railroad Magazines Make GREAT Christmas Gifts 

For an even BETTER Christmas layout next year!

We all get ideas from looking at how other folks do things. And these magazines give me ideas from some of the best model railroaders around! Great Gifts for a Model Railroader you know...or maybe even for yourself!

Model Railroad News

Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Railroad Model Craftsman

Amazon Price: $37.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Model Railroader

Amazon Price: $42.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Garden Railways

Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Classic Toy Trains

Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Tales From Christmas Trains: 1830-2030 

Fascinating and filled with good cheer, Tales from Christmas Trains is a rare literary treat and a fitting tribute to the history of the railroad and the spirit of Christmas. Celebrating the past, present, and future, this spellbinding epic is an erstwhile adventure of the great American train. It speaks of innovation, family, and tradition; tenderness, ingenuity, and places of the heart. It follows the Kane family, railway magnates, from their train's maiden trip on Christmas day in 1830 to a speculative trip in 2030. Throughout the years the family and, indeed, the United States will have heartache, failure, and success. With story titles such as "A Civil War Christmas, 1864," "New York to Key West, A Depression Christmas Tale" and "Christmas 2030, The Christmas Trains Are Full," this collection has a little something for everyone.

Tales From Christmas Trains: 1830-2030

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/03/2009)Buy Now

A delightful and original story answering the age-old question of why toy and electric trains are to be found under the tree each Christmas morning.

Magazines About Real Trains and Railroading 

Like Your Little Railroad on Steroids?

If you like model railroading, you'll probably have an interest in actual real-life railroading. Here are a few magazines that bring that lonesome whistle that you hear at night right into your own world...or you into theirs!

Trains

Amazon Price: $42.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Classic Trains

Amazon Price: $23.50 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Railfan & Railroad

Amazon Price: $37.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Decorate Your Tree With Train Ornamets 

Trains Under The Tree Look Nice! Trains On The Tree Add a Special Touch

Most Christmas trees are decorated nicely. And that makes them, well, nice. Some trees are lucky enough to be encircled by model trains! That makes them special. But a tree that has the fantastic, good fortune to be festooned with ornaments depicting trains . . . that makes a tree truly memorable. Here are some ornaments that will allow your Christmas tree to enter the ranks of the truly GREAT Christmas Trees.

Baldwin Train Set Ornament

Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Train Decor Here There and Everywhere 

Who Says Your Train Stuff Has To Stay Indoors?

And if railroading is your passion, you can share that passion with everyone who passes by your home! A Holiday display featuring trains is a wonderful addition to your display! Whether it is a static display, or it is an animated Disney character, the addition of a train to the front yard scene will bring the wonder of trains to your friends and neighbors as well!

But who says that trains are limited to the Holidays? Some yard decorations are appropriate all year long!

Train 12 inch Wind Spinner

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

TRAIN STATION WOOD DEPOT BIRDHOUSE BIRD HOUSE CROSSING

Amazon Price: $12.90 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Railroad Decor 

As a backdrop for your Christmas layout, or as some fun decorations for a room with trains!

Train Parking Only All Others Will Be Side Tracked

Amazon Price: $9.88 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

TRAIN CROSSING - Sign - xing railroad collector room

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Train Clocks 

Some are for fun!

Model trains are a hobby...but they are also a toy. These clocks will absolutely thrill any child who loves trains, and will make a tremendous gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because!

Train Chime Clock

Amazon Price: $28.25 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Train Clocks 

And Some Are Classy

Based on the Clocks that used to hang in Railroad Stations, These Clocks will Bring a Touch of Class to ANY Room they're in...even if there aren't any trains to be seen! If you have a Train Lover on your Gift List, You'll SURELY Make Their Day if you give him one of these!

Large Antique Style Train Station Clock Wall Hanging

Amazon Price: $76.99 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Bosley Two-sided Indoor/outdoor Wall Clock

Amazon Price: $77.99 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Railroad Station 2-Sided Clock

Amazon Price: $39.98 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Double Sided Hanging Station Wall Clock

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

How Can You Make Your Model Train Layout a Little More Christmasy? 

Whether you are building a model railroad, diorama, or any othe kind of winter display, you probably want some Snow. For a dusting, sprinkle the snow and spray with Scenic Cement (S191). For heavy drifts, apply Flex Paste (C1205) to your layout and sprinkle the snow on top. The snow comes in a handy see-through, reusable Canister Shaker (50 cu. in.) with a sprinkle/pour dual-purpose top! Easy to store!

Train Calendars Make Wonderful Gifts 

Keep up to date with some gorgeous trains. These are great gifts for the train lovers in you life, whether that be a loved one or yourself!

Railroads 2010 Wall Calendar

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Howard Fogg's Trains 2010 Calendar

Amazon Price: $12.55 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

American Passenger Trains 2010 Wall Calendar

Amazon Price: $14.16 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Those Remarkable Trains 2010 Calendar

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

A Year of Train Trivia 2010 Desk Calendar

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Model Train Displays at Christmas 

For Those Who Don't Have the Time or Space to Build Their Own.

Some model railroaders come together at Christmastime to display their trains. An excellent example of this is the annual display of trains at North Park Center in Dallas, TX. Here is a video of just a small portion of their layout!

Miniature Train Exhibit 3

Miniature Train Exhibit at North Park Mall, Dallas, Texas December 2007

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More T(rain)-Shirts 

Another Lovely Christmas Train Layout 

John and Cindy's 2007 Christmas Train

This is a remake of our first video(JohnCindys Holiday Train 2007), but with sound. I'm still using the same camera but switched to Studio 11 to edit the video. I guess now I'll have to buy a Digital Camcorder, because this was a lot of fun.

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Have You Ever Heard of Strasburg? 

Perhaps the Center of Model Trains in America

Strasburg, Pennsylvania is in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. Although the country is beautiful, and the food is fantastic in local restaurants, the best-known attraction in Strasburg is its railroad!

Yes, Strasburg has its own railroad.

The Strasburg Railroad was founded in 1832. Much of the early history has been lost, but it is known that the trains were running on a timetable by 1851. The February 22, 1861 visit of President Abraham Lincoln caused the railroad to purchase its first passenger car, which it used to transport people to and from the President's appearance in Leaman Place.

The railroad operated until 1957, when a series of storms caused sufficient damage to the track that the owners were unwilling to invest an amount sufficient to make the necessary repairs and return the line to regular commercial service.

So in 1958 the Strasburg Railroad became a tourist railroad.

When you visit Strasburg, have a tremendous time riding the train, and don't forget to look into sleeping in a caboose at the Red Caboose Motel.

Outdoor Christmas Decorations with a Railroad Theme 

Garden Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby

Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Practical Garden Railways

Amazon Price: $23.23 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Gorgeous Garden Railways

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Garden Railroad Spectacular

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

The Strasburg Railroad--A Ride to Paradise! 

Strasburg Rail Road 2006 Promotional Video

Learn more about the Strasburg Rail Road at http://www.strasburgrailroad.com

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And Yes, The Strasburg Railroad Runs in the Snow! 

Admitedly, the schedule during the Winter is extremely limited, and special events are scheduled every December weekend prior to Christmas, a trip to the railroad and its shops would be a wonderful Holiday trip.

Steamin' in the Snow - Strasburg Railroad

Ride along the Strasburg Railroad in a beautiful winter landscape of ice and snow. Watch 0-6-0 #31 bounce up and down the tracks as she hauls her passengers through the white-covered farmland of Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

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Trains Trim Trees Tremendously! 

We've already visited the idea of Christmas ornaments which feature trains, but we've barely scratched the surface of what is available.
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And Here's Some Inspiration for Next Year's Layout 

The Choo Choo Barn in Strasburg, Pennsylvania

And when you take your trip to Strasburg, you need to stop by one of the nicest Layouts I have ever seen, The Choo Choo Barn is known all over the world! The layout is wonderful, and the store is nice too. You'll get ideas at the Choo Choo Barn that can bring your own layout to new heights. I'd even be willing to travel to Strasburg just to see the Choo Choo Barn's trains!

Choo Choo Barn - Lionel O Gauge Train layout

Strasburg Railroad, Lancaster PA. A little store in Strasburg called TrainTown USA. A replica of Lancaster County in Miniature

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And Did You Know That Your Trains Don't Need to Stay Indoors? 

Earlier in this lens we told you about Garden Railways
magazine. This wonderful hobby combines two different hobbies...model railroading and gardening! If you like these hobbies, the magazine is fabulous. And G-Scale trains are definitely a great way to go! If you have a love of trains and of gardening you can create some incredible scenes involving model trains and structures and natural plants. Here is a picture of the trains at Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando.

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Yahoo Groups Devoted to Model Trains 

When You Just HAVE To Learn MORE!

HO Railroading
For HO Enthusiasts.
Layout Construction
For those interested in Layout Construction.
N Scale
N Scale. Small in size, but great for building big layouts in tight places.
Buildings and Structures
Buildings and Structures...because scenery can make or break a layout
On 30 Conspiracy
Big trains on little tracks!
S Trains
S Scale--an interesting scale, not as well known among the general population.
Hi Rail
3-Rail Trains--Like Lionel.
O Scale Kings
1:48 Scale on 2 rails

Don't Have Time or Space for a Layout, But Still Want Christmas Trains? 

Here are some Videos Specifically Looking at Model Trains at Christmas

For many families, a train and Christmas go hand in hand. But for some reason it's just not feasible. Maybe there is just a limited amount of space. Maybe it's just too busy a time to put up the set. Maybe there will just be too many little hands around to set out your collectible layout. These videos will help. You can see Christmas train layouts right on your television. Enjoy the layouts other folks have made, or even get ideas for next year's layout!

Maybe you have a layout set up, and just can't get enough trains. These videos let you look at trains while just laying on the couch.!

These make OUTSTANDING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS for the train lover on your list.

Toy Trains & Christmas Parts 1, 2, 3

Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Toy Train Christmas Memories

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

I Love Christmas

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/03/2009) Buy Now

Tabletop Santa with Train! 


Santa's Timeless Disney Treasures Christmas Tabletop Figurine

 

But you don't need to have the gardening staff at Disney World to have a garden railway of your own. Click the picture below to take a look at a wonderful garden railway.
Garden Railway
And yes, it sometimes snows on a garden railroad, too. You'll even notice that they use the model trains as snow plows to clear the tracks!

 

Pictures taken from the Shorline Garden Railroad Club website. There are many more pictures there, take a look.

Do You Need a Little Elvis in Your Christmas Layout? 

Get ready to rock, because the King of Rock 'n' Roll® Express is rollin' your way in a special commemorative-edition train collection to mark Elvis's® 75th birthday anniversary! This sleek train set - the first-ever to be authorized by the Estate of Elvis Presley - is takin' care of business starting with Issue One featuring an impressive diesel locomotive. Next you'll receive Issue Two, the commemorative Elvis® 75th Birthday Car, which includes a FREE keepsake transcript of Elvis's® actual birth certificate! Then this HO scale train collection continues with Issue Three, the coordinating Elvis Presley® engine, which includes your FREE HO gauge track and Issue Four, another train car with Elvis Presley artwork, which includes your FREE power pack. Additional coordinating Elvis®-inspired train cars, each a separate issue, will follow.

 

Elvis Train

This exclusive Presley® Collectible Electric Train collection features a classic diesel locomotive with a working headlight and illuminated passenger cars, each decorated with dynamic, full-color portraits of Elvis's® most electrifying performances and even a golden replica of his signature! Plus, the 75th Birthday Car features images of Elvis from childhood through his lifetime as a legend, and the official 75th anniversary logo. Available exclusively from Hawthorne Village, this train set makes the perfect addition to your village collection, and a must-have Elvis tribute for all fans! But hurry! Strong demand is expected - Click Here For More Information!

Should I Put My Trains Away for the Year, Or Should I Leave My Layout Up? 

I Guess She's Going to Make Me Put Them Away Again. These Tips Will Help.

What Do I Need to Do Before I Store My Trains For the Year?

1. Clean the cars and the track. It will make set-up next year much, much easier.

2. Repairs should be made immediately. I don't know about you, but there is almost nothing I hate more than getting ready to put together my Christmas layout and finding a damaged car, building, or figure. Make the repairs now, and you'll be happier next Holiday Season.

3. Make a list of things you need to do for next year's layout. Are there cars, figures, tracks, accessories, wires, scenery, etc., etc., that I need? They might be on sale NOW! Hobby shops want to get cash for their inventory . . . especially in hard economic times.

4. PADDING. Wrap your figures, your cars, your locomotives in some sort of protective material. Bubble wrap is good. Even tissue is helpful. We don't want delicate things to bounce around, hit against other things and break or scratch.

5. Lists and Labels are Your Friends! Where did I put those street lamps? I asked the question over and over. I finally went out and bought a new set . . . two days before I found the old set.

Note to Self

Wife threatening to throw me out of house and home due to model trains taking over Christmas Display. Start planning to stun the neighbors with incredible outdoor display next Christmas.

So What's The Bottom Line? 

Ultimately, train around a tree is about several things.
1. Nostalgia and Family History. It's a chance for us older folks to remember things from the past. For some, those memories come as they decorate the tree with ornaments. For some, baking and cooking helps us remember times, experiences, people long past. For Train-Folk, the recreation of or improvement upon our old Christmas layouts brings us back to moments which were important to us at the time--helps us to remember.
2. Intereaction with Family and Friends. Whether it's in the putting the layout together, or just sitting and watching the train go around the tree, we get the chance to talk with friends and family without the hassles of daily life interfering.
3. It's pretty. Colors, motion, sound. A model railroad just seems to fit in with the season and the decor. A bit of whimsy...a touch of fantasy, at a very special time of year.
4. It's fun. After all, for most of us a model train is a toy.

It's worth repeating...

At one time, most of my friends
could hear the bell.
But as years passed,
it fell silent for all of them
Even Sarah found, one Christmas, that she
could no longer hear its sweet sound.

Though I've grown old...

...the bell still rings for me.
As it does for all who truly believe.


Have fun, play, and enjoy the Holiday Season! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! And a Blessed, Merry Christmas!

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Some Christmas Tune Samples You Might Enjoy 

There is nothing that sets the scene or gets the Holiday juices flowing like some good Christmas Music. Here are some sound bites of poplular Christmas songs that you might enjoy listening to while perusing this lens. Like one? Make it yours! It's available through Amazon for less than a buck! By the way, if you decide to look at one of the videos posted here, don't forget to stop the music here or you'll have audio chaos!

by ViolinStudent

Arthur Haule got his first train set when he was two. His parents promised him a train set when he stopped sucking on a pacifier. He promptly stood, p... (more)

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