Trains at Christmas time

[Scott Douglas]

I didn't want to pollute the Random Transportation thread with more toy train pics so thought I'd start a thread for Trains at Christmas.
Being the big kid I am, when a big box arrived the other day with packing material in it I just couldn't resist making a MOUNTAIN for the trains to go thru.
Hope you all have a great Holiday Season and feel free to post your pics of trains running 'round the trees.

[fastfredracing]

Was hoping someone would post about this. This is maybe the third year we set up a train. Sadly, I am not sure where all my ho stuff from my childhood went. My mom probably has it packed away somewhere.
This year, my almost 8 year old was totally into it, We spent the day setting up the tree, and the train, and he told me it was the best day he has had in a while.
I just have a little LGB oval, but we add to it a little each year. Keeping up family traditions!
I'll get a pic when I get home.

[81Kremer930]

I'll have to post some pics too... I am a big kid as well, and love Lionel and pretty much all other o-gauge setups.. My 3.5 year old boy loves anything that I do(including Porsches of course), and trains are no exception. We put ours up for the first time in 10 years and he's enthralled with the smoke and noise etc.
I don't remember the parts and accessories being so expensive though, these things are almost like cars! Is there a limit? I don't think so. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

[targa911S]

I have the old family Lionel that I want to set up with my grandboyz next weekend when they come in for !st Christmas. I haven't set it up in 30 years. I'll post pix then..

[Scott Douglas]

Look forward to seeing all the pics guys!
Here's a video from a couple years ago of ours going 'round the tree.

Xmas train ride - YouTube

Our set started out to be for 'just' around the tree. =;>)

[David McLaughlin]

My trains are put away for the season. By tonight the tracks will be covered with 8" of snow and I don't think they make a plow to remove that much. Last year we had a good sized tree lit up in the middle and with no snow, the trains could run. We're planning on a new layout. I really want something that will transition into the Christmas season.

[Sarc]

Timely thread. Any suggestions for a (cost effective, but not crap) option to surprise a 3 year old Christmas morning? Would love something larger in scale, preferably non branded (Thomas, Polar Express,etc) circling around the tree. Any brands to avoid?
Thanks much.

[Bill Douglas]

It's still too warm to snow in San Francisco.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Timely thread. Any suggestions for a (cost effective, but not crap) option to surprise a 3 year old Christmas morning? Would love something larger in scale, preferably non branded (Thomas, Polar Express,etc) circling around the tree. Any brands to avoid?
Thanks much.

25+ years ago (actually closer to 30) when I was looking at getting a train to go around the tree for my wife, the rule of thumb was, you get what you pay for. The Lionel's that I grew up with probably wouldn't run for as long as the LGB's I have now. A three year old is going to want to 'touch and grab' it. These trains aren't that kind of toy. I really can't offer an opinion on what to buy or avoid, but I will say this. Think about how long you want to keep it, how much you'll use it and then go find a local shop and talk to the owner to see what he says. I did just that when I was looking to buy. Ended up getting one for almost twice what I originally had planned on spending. That train is still running today though.

[Don Ro]

How many mature (old) guys buy the trains that they never received when a child?
My brother, who craved having a train as a kid (as did I), bought one when he was 55 and loved it.
I probably won't (68 now).

[petrolhead611]

I got given a Marklin train set as a 6 year old(still have it-unused for 50 something years). I actually wanted a slot car racing set and didnt get given that by my new(then) wife until I was 28 -first set was faulty and burned a mark into the new living room carpet.

[strupgolf]

I had HO trains as a kid. In 1976 my wife bought me an engine and said someday, build a layout. Well, it was another 15 years before I had space for one. My youngest dayghter helped me and had fun. So now, that layout is gone, all the cars, engines, etc, are in boxes and if I get inclined to do it again in retirement next year, I will. Model railroading is truly a lifelong hobby. I cant believe how expensive all the track and things have become, oh well, the price of toys.

[Scott Douglas]

I can remember playing with our Eldon slot car set a lot more than the Lionel trains. I think Dad knew the trains weren't 'toys' for boys.

[oldE]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

How many mature (old) guys buy the trains that they never received when a child?

Guilty here.

Actually, my Dad, after his accident at age 87 mentioned in passing to one of my sisters, that he'd never had a model train as a kid.
That Christmas, a bunch of us got him an HO set. Just a bunch of pieces which were set up on the table in the "dining room" for a while, then got packed away.

When he passed, my Mother said, "Why don't you take that train set and do something with it." It started as a 4x8 table top, then quickly morphed into a 16x8 "J" shaped "dogbone" set up with about 60' of double tracks. There are times when I wonder what the heck I'm doing, as most of it has to have scenery built, but then I run a train off a siding onto the main line and I think of Dad.

Merry Christmas, All
Les

[peppy]

Guilty also, but trains ain't just for Christmas.

My son and I play year round. I plan on a permanent table in his playroom when I finish.

He has two Lionel starter sets both O-guage.

[peppy]

[Scott Douglas]

That last picture is a great one Peppy!
Love the action!

[Rickysa]

We set up a garden railway many years ago, and then pulled it up as the landscaping changed...bunches of LGB stuff stored away. That was really a lot of fun, and in fact, due to this thread I believe I'll pull it all back out over the holidays, clean it up, and set it back up again!

[Don Ro]

Had a client years ago who would invite me over for a Christmas drink.
He had a train running down the halls and through just about every room - on the floor.
He lived with his wife and both were retired - she was good about the inconvenience.
Train tracks were about 5-6 inches apart and the cars were about 2 feet long.
What scale is that?

[strupgolf]

Probably LGB, as those are big like that.