Trains under the Christmas tree

[Ervserver]

anyone setup a train under or on the Christmas tree? I would like to add one this year, maybe something Lionel as I had one when I was a kid.

[elfworks]

i love trains! real life ones and model ones. (used to work for a steam train assc) never had room for one. maybe one day.......



xo

[dominick]

I have put large, cheap stuff under the tree as I don't want to set up anything nice because of pets. I think it's a great addition, but keep in mind it can get in the way. Another thing to keep in mind is that Lionel does not make HO scale trains, currently the most popular scale. They do, however, make some really neat Christmas starter sets starting at about $200. If you want to add on, though, it can get extremely pricey. I have a Bachman HO train that was given to me last year; I'm contemplating setting it up under the tree but am not sure yet. Your best value is definitely going to be a starter set. Either Lionel or Bachmann's website has sets listed for Christmas, and Lionel definitely beats out Bachmann for the gadgety novelty holiday feel.

Bottom line: Go for it!

-Tony

[Ervserver]

I was thinking maybe o scale... I collect HO scale and am building a layout in the basement. I do have to consider the cats as they would mess with things. Also I'm likely to get several and very large gifts so I need to have the room.

:???:

[dominick]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, I was unaware that you were already a collector. Oh well, maybe someone else could use the information. Well if you already have HO stuff, I wouldn't hesitate to go with an O or O27 Lionel set. Some of their Christmas stuff is really neat!

[HolyNight7]

We had them when I was a kid. My mom was into that. She would put a platform up on horses. We had a whole yard under the tree. She would put chimney skirting around it so you oculdn't see the horses. We had an HO train I believe. She hasn't done that in years though but she does collect stuff and would like to do it again some day.

[dvdguy]

I'd like a train myself someday

[Ervserver]

I have put large, cheap stuff under the tree as I don't want to set up anything nice because of pets. I think it's a great addition, but keep in mind it can get in the way. Another thing to keep in mind is that Lionel does not make HO scale trains, currently the most popular scale. They do, however, make some really neat Christmas starter sets starting at about $200. If you want to add on, though, it can get extremely pricey. I have a Bachman HO train that was given to me last year; I'm contemplating setting it up under the tree but am not sure yet. Your best value is definitely going to be a starter set. Either Lionel or Bachmann's website has sets listed for Christmas, and Lionel definitely beats out Bachmann for the gadgety novelty holiday feel.

Bottom line: Go for it!

-Tony


wow sounds like a lot of work

[dominick]

What does? I have a bad habit of making things more complicated than they need to be. If you already have a train layout you should have no problem throwing something together for under the tree. Biggest PITA I have is cleaning the track. I really need to invest in some nickel-silver track.

[dvdguy]

I get a little obsessive with my hobbies

[Ervserver]

What does? I have a bad habit of making things more complicated than they need to be. If you already have a train layout you should have no problem throwing something together for under the tree. Biggest PITA I have is cleaning the track. I really need to invest in some nickel-silver track.



You have a point, a simple circle of track around the tree should be easy

[dominick]

Here's a picture of the cheap battery operated train I've put up in the past. It's no marvel in the realm of model trains, but I like it for what it is... strictly a decoration. Plus, I never have to worry about it.

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/2682/trainzi6.jpg

[Ervserver]

Great picture...that's exactly what I want under my tree.

[dominick]

Honestly, I have no idea where we got that, but you might want to try Big Lots. They're good for stuff like that on the cheap.

[mrshfromjersey]

dvdguy has a Christmas train set that we bought for $5 at a garage sale.

[elfworks]

there is a bar in munich that has trains running all over the place. they deliver drinks to the bandstand via a train!!


xo

[dvdguy]

next stop martini

[Ervserver]

We have Big Lots here...I shall check them out. They prolly have some Christmas stuff out

[HolyNight7]

Yea we have Big Lots here too.

[dominick]

I figured most places have them. I know at very least there are some in both Chicago and Houston. Good luck in your search. :-D

[HolyNight7]

How about Hobby shops? That's the place to get trains.

[dominick]

My experience with hobby shops and trains is that their selection is going to revolve around the expensive collector stuff, not that there's anything wrong with that. That's their purpose. I'm hesitant, though, to put something of any value under the tree... especially since we have carpet and pets. I imagine I'm not the only one who feels that way.


I've been toying with the idea of getting a circle of N or Z scale (very small) to put around one of those tiny desk top trees; the ones that are about 2' tall. Then decorating the tree with small ornaments.

[Ervserver]

You could suspend N scale track from the bottom side of the tree and run a train that way...good luck with that.

:???:

[dominick]

I've been down that avenue before. After I thought about it more and more, I think the frustration of actually mating the tree and train would be too much for me. Stuff like that never seems to work out for me. :-(

[Ervserver]

me either, I'd get frustrated and everything would end up in a heap.

[dvdguy]

some hobby shops have good deals if you get lower end models, like a starter set

[Ervserver]

that be me, a starter

[Ervserver]

at Lowes today I saw a train set you can add to your tree but instead of underneath it goes around the middle. There is a track assembly that mounts from the tree stem and sticks out beyond the branches. It wasn't too bad looking but I think I prefer a train on the floor.

[dominick]

Sounds interesting. I prefer more traditional decor, so I'd probably stick with floor, too. Still, I'd like to see it.

[Ervserver]

Worth a look, didn't look too stable to me but I doubt the display model was setup with great care.

[dominick]

Well I decided I wanted another train and started hitting the local hobby shops. The problem is I can't decide what I want. Lionel makes a really cool replica of the Polar Express train complete with figurines of the conductor (Tom Hanks), the little boy, and the two engineers. http://lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogUID=A1D98741-B8B4-F5A5-9867DF780CEE5190&PageID=833
http://www.lionel.com/products/catalogs/_CatImages/PolarExpressPG-14-15.jpg
For a Lionel, that's actually a pretty good value and the coolness of the package is undeniable. The quandary is that I could go out and get both a decent HO starter set (smaller) and a starter N scale (really tiny) and still have less in it than the Polar Express train, so I would have more room to add on. Plus, O27 gauge stuff takes up a lot of room and I'm unsure where I'd put it (though I guarantee I'd find somewhere). What do you guys think?

[Ervserver]

This looks like a nice set. I think the Polar Express is a cool train. The downside is the price. I'm looking at a starter set at Wal Mart Coca Cola train and in the Christmas section, under $100

[dominick]

Is it a name brand or some China special? You can get good starter HO sets for ~$100, and the really cool N sets too. Best value for the money is Athearn. You should check out a local Hobby store and consult with them.

[Ervserver]

China special I think. I need to look around more, local hobby shops too.

[dominick]

I'm still torn between two smaller (physically, not fewer pieces) sets or the Polar Express set. :-? I'm kind of leaning towards the Polar Express because of it's limited availability, whereas the HO and N stuff I'm looking at is nothing special and will be available years to come. Maybe I need to pop in the DVD for inspiration.
:???:

[Ervserver]

You could get the Acela express and run it around your tree at 120mph 8-)

[dominick]

I'm trying not to succumb to modern looking trains. Nothing does a better job under the tree than a smoking steam locomotive making a bunch of clacking noise. I think I'm slowly selling myself on that Lionel, because your can't match the sound and feel of the larger trains with the little stuff.

[Ervserver]

You are right and the chug chug sounds, the puffs of smoke, the visual of the wheels and drive turning, and a nice BIG red caboose on the back.

:???:

[Christy Carol]

I didnt actually pull up the link for the Polar Express (because I am afraid to see how much it is) but if you want my vote I say go with it because it is an AWESOME movie, it comes with the little figurines and will only go up in value as time goes on.

[dominick]

Well it seems the consensus with everyone I've asked is go with the Lionel. By the way, it's just under $300. For an extra $25 I can get Santa, the little girl, the other little boy that learned to trust, and the ghostish vagabond. There's also a cool hand car operated by small elves like in the movie, but it's $75.

[Ervserver]

the hand car is awesome. Good choice with the Lionel

[dominick]

Well now I haven't decided outright yet. I still can't ignore the fact that I could get two high quality trains for $100 less than the one Lionel would be. :-? I'm fickled, I know.

[Ervserver]

At Hobby Lobby they have these Christmas Express trains that run on large plastic track, the scale of the train is large, bigger than Lionel. But they run well and may suit my needs. My cats will likely be rough on them so I may get one of these $50 sets.

[dominick]

That's exactly the kind of thing I would (and do) run under the tree. The battery operated trains are hard to hurt, and if they do get hurt, they're cheap. Unless you really like this one, though, you could probably find something like it cheaper. The higher end stuff isn't good to set up under the tree for many reasons. Lionel stuff tends to spark, the track and motor builds up a charge and attracts hair, dust, and other assorted goodies, and the stuff on the floor like that tends to get knocked around.

[Ervserver]

Sparking is not good, what if my presents were to catch fire ! :-?

[dominick]

That's why I say they're not the best for under the tree. I have a vintage Lionel train that I'm slowly refurbishing, and while I don't think it's enough to spark a fire, I wouldn't want to take the chance either. The little stuff sparks a bit too, but I haven't seen anything like the couple of Lionels I've played with.

[Ervserver]

I have several thousand dollars in HO trains but they are for my layout in the basement, equipped with decoders and custom lighting. I don't want to put them under the tree and have them get batted about.

[dominick]

Have you tried the Bachmann DCC stuff or know anything about it? I'd love to see pictures of your layout. I wish I had room (and money!) for a setup like that.

[Ervserver]

I have the Prodigy DCC and have never used nor tried the Bachman dcc. I will have to get some pics posted on my Photobucket then will send you the links. I model the Milwaukee Road 70's - 80's era, just before they went defunct.

[dominick]

So is HO all you've ever played with? Do you participate in any clubs or go to shows?

[Ervserver]

Yes I've only been in HO, too much money in it now to switch and I'm happy with it. I'm not in any clubs, I go to shows to see and buy, and am on several online forums. Trains are my winter hobby :D