Christmas train

I took 1/4 inch craft foam, cut it to fit in my container well cars, and glued ornaments for miniature Christmas Trees on them to make a Christmas Train. The kids ate it up, and there was nothing permanent or irreversible done to the cars. 

Go For It

I liked Barr's train also. 

Maybe you can find some photos of xmas cookies and cut them out and glue to styrofoam backing and attach them to some flat cars also.

Jack

Christmas Train ideas

OK. I've been toying (no pun intended) with building one for years. I've got a number of the old Rivarossi heavyweight passenger cars (talgo truck variety) (domes, observation, sleeper, std passenger) that are unfinished (need more McHenry couplers to get rid of the "NMRA" couplers). Cost me about $10 back in the day (each).

So if you search for Christmas train photos, the best ones seem to be in Canada. Imagine that.

How to add lights? One could use fiber optics and drill a few hundred holes in each car. Probably using a template would be a good idea.  Or use 3D modeling to create a "Merry Christmas" or a Christmas tree (low relief) or snowflake for the side of the cars. Have it have a nub on the back (multiple locations) drill a hole the size of the nub into the car side and then place LEDs inside the car, covered so it only shines through the clear plastic (or slightly colored) of the external graphics.  Dangling lights? Haven't a clue.

Unfortunately, it comes in a slow second to my other holiday decorating. But next year I will have a snow scene town done (hides my mistakes) and the station deserves to have a Christmas train sitting at it.

Just some thoughts.

Bachmann On30 Christmas Train

I think this one is rather nice, particularly the locomotive,

https://www.walthers.com/on30-christmas-train-set-w-2-6-0-cars-38-x-56-quot-oval-power-pack-video-north-pole-express-passenger-train-w-combine-coach-observation

...maybe add a flat car on the rear with Santa on it.

...runs on HO track

An associate that doesn't model trains recently gave me one of these sets to dispose of for her, if you're interested.

Christmas train

I instituted a Christmas train at my NJ club with reindeer looking out of a stock car, Disney characters on flatcars, etc., and Santa in his sleigh bringing up the markers.  Initially the other members were skeptical but the the donation box tripled from the parents (or grandparents) who were keeping the children occupied while the toy shopping was in process elsewhere. Many were very happy we pandered to the kids and they stayed for hours (ok, it was cold outside). Word of caution, every year I added new cars to this train but one year I made a mistake and added the Power Rangers in a gondola. This prompted the 7 and 8 year olds to start karate kicking each other in the aisles, and I yanked that car out of the lineup and things settled down.

when I moved to VA the club there didn’t have the impelling need to derive funds from the Christmas show. They hung little wreaths on the streetlights, etc., but did not really care about entertaining the audience. One Grumpy Gus complained about the Polar Express music playing with my Polar Express train because he couldn’t hear his Diesel engine sounds. Even so, the Santa train and Polar Express trains were given some credit for the significant increase in donations and a local paper covered the show for weekend entertainment (good publicity) with the Santa train as the lead in. 
 

SO GO FOR IT, especially if your club needs donations or publicity for new members!

You might even have Santa

You might even have Santa driving the loco (sitting on the tender), and his elves out back working on the gifts on the some flat cars.

One Real Example

This is just one prototype example, but there are others -

Here's the completed train

Based on comments here and elsewhere I made it a little flashier than I had originally intended. Instead of bundled Christmas trees as a load I used an oversized Santa sleigh.

See it in this 42 second long video:

Moderator note: we prefer videos to be embedded.      Dec. 23 update by chepp:  Thanks for the tip! I've just deleted the youtube direct link.

Christmas train

What do you want for it? I need a new project. Run a train for my wife in her Christmas village.

I also I would have to pay for shipping.

Kids like any train

Our small town of 1,800 had their holiday stroll last Saturday.  The local historical society has 3 buildings, one of which is a depot.  Our local Operation Lifesaver guy brings a Lionel layout every year.  He contacted me a few days before to tell me he tested positive for covid and has to isolate for 2 weeks.  I had an unused plywood sheet in the garage and brought it to the depot and set it on sawhorses.  Then I added the Lionel train (not Christmas) that normally goes under the tree.  A lighted station, beacon tower and Marx bubbling water tower were added for effect and filled as much space as I could with Plasticville.  I also put on a whistling station with a large button.  All kids had an opportunity to hear what their first name sounded like on telegraph and then were taught four basic whistle signals.  They were directed to the large orange button by the whistling station to practice.  I was surprised by parent comments on how their kids love trains and can't get enough of them.  It isn't just the boys.  Girls also have an interest.  Whatever you do, just make a good memory.  They are our replacements.

Ken Vandevoort