| It would be a very interesting statistic to know just | | | | Oh yes, the loco steams and makes all the right |
| how many model railroaders currently engaged in the | | | | steam-train noises, thanks to Lionel's TrainSounds |
| hobby got their start as a result of a Lionel Christmas | | | | sound system. |
| train set under the Christmas tree. Certainly the volume | | | | But A Lionel Christmas Train Set Was last Year's |
| manufacturers of model railroad equipment believe this | | | | Present! |
| is a major date in the sales calendar and for some | | | | Ok, so time to go for the add-ons. This is a real |
| time they have responded by making specifically | | | | model-train system, remember. If you are going to buy |
| Christmas-themed products available. | | | | extra coaches or wagons, or maybe even a second |
| The Polar Express is Still Number One. | | | | locomotive (have a look at Lionel's very nice 0-4-0 |
| The race is already on for the 2010 Christmas season | | | | Yard Switcher), it's probably a good idea to buy more |
| and Lionel are quite understandably foregrounding their | | | | track. The set you bought last year came with an oval, |
| very popular O gauge Polar Express Christmas Train | | | | but if you add extra cars to your train, you run the |
| set. As well as the train itself, but at extra cost, there | | | | very real risk of your beautiful train looking like a dog |
| are 1/48th scale figures from the movie (including | | | | chasing its tail. And while it is the season to be jolly, |
| reindeer), extra track, background dioramas for the | | | | that is just plain silly! So extra track is a good idea, and |
| train to make entrances and exits and additional rolling | | | | oh yes, maybe a switch...or two, so some shunting and |
| stock. But that's not all Lionel is offering for the Jolly | | | | spotting of cars can happen in the sidings. Now, you |
| Season. Christmas train set buyers should also take a | | | | see where this is leading, don't you? Extra track, more |
| good long look at the G scale version of the Polar | | | | ambitious track plans, multiple locomotives and last |
| Express (especially if your children are quite young), | | | | year's toy is beginning to morph into a serious model |
| The Nutcracker Route set and The Christmas Story | | | | railroad. Which is kind of what I think Lionel might have |
| set. And if you're a real model train fan, try and tell me | | | | had in mind. They make some great trains and |
| you could really walk past that exquisite green British | | | | accessories and they want a real commitment to the |
| outline 4-6-0 North Pole Central loco. I know it's not a | | | | hobby from you. |
| boxed set, like the others above, but, hey, you're a | | | | Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy. |
| model-railroader aren't you? 'Tis the season to be | | | | Lionel has been in the business of train-making for a |
| creative! | | | | long time and they know where the real fun lies. It |
| The Sleigh Bells Jingle And The Lonesome Whistle | | | | starts, all too often, with the Lionel Christmas train set, |
| Moans. | | | | in its box, under the tree. It very quickly becomes the |
| The Nutcracker Route set gives an American 4-4-0, | | | | Lionel Christmas train set which goes round the |
| complete with snowplow, two period clerestory | | | | Christmas tree, but for a lot of very lucky people, it |
| coaches and a flat car with four reindeer (sitting quietly | | | | becomes much more than that. Gee, I'd really love to |
| while being transported). Transformer, an oval of track | | | | know how many model railroaders get born on |
| and a capsule of smoke fluid complete the package. | | | | Christmas Day! |