[AmFlyer]

That speed difference sounds like the slower engine has the half speed worm gears.

 

[mopac]

They were bought together but thats about how far off one of them is. Bummer.

 

[AmFlyer]

The second of the three Christmas cars purchased online has been received. Pictured below is another one of the Lionel AF REA (Reindeer Express Agency) Christmas cars. This stock car carries four reindeer. There is some dis-assembly, installation and reassembly required to put the reindeer inside the car. The pictures show the process, the reindeer snap securely into the clear plastic holder on the car floor. Since this is a 2008 car the wheels must also be regauged to work on scale style turnouts and crossings.

 

[JackBohm]

Did they ever make a car with a Nativity Scene?

 

[AmFlyer]

No, that would need to be a home custom car in S gauge.

 

[alaft61ri]

Saw one 1 on ebay the was asking 200.00 or best offer. That is nice. Cool looking.

 

[AmFlyer]

The third Christmas car I purchased on eBay was the North Pole Central Santa action caboose. I posted the catalog cut for this caboose several weeks ago.
As can readily be seen in the picture, this car had the dreaded crumbling truck sideframe disease. One truck was in many small pieces inside the OB, this car is new in the OB. The other truck was easily broken just using my fingers. I decided to keep the car and repair or replace the trucks. Remember, I have 130 like new trucks taken off cars as part of my truck replacement project.
There are at least 5 different variations of the Lionel AF freight car trucks. This caboose used one of the later versions with the sideframes attached with screws. Lionel must have realized these metal sideframes were a problem because the newest trucks used the identical design but with Delrin in place of the cast metal. I have a lot of these, so I plan to use two of the Delrin version with bearing inserts as the replacement.
Also included is a picture of the bottom of the car with the sideframes removed, the screw holes are visible. Next is the new Delrin sideframe in place. Lastly a top down picture that shows the threaded screw holes in the sideframe along with the screw and lock washer used by Lionel to attach the sideframe.note the On-Off switch for the Santa action figure. This is important when operating in command control with full voltage always on the track.

 

[AmFlyer]

Here it is with one of the trucks repaired with new Delrin sideframes.

 

[AmFlyer]

The Santa caboose is done, the two trucks now have new Delrin sideframes. Here is a group photo of the three Christmas cars I bought on eBay when I was left unsupervised.

 

[mopac]

The caboose looks great with the green cars.

 

[AmFlyer]

Thanks, I thought I needed to have a reindeer car with the "Route of The Reindeer" caboose. The 2023 Christmas boxcar is finally on its way, Charles Ro charged my AmEx for it on Wednesday. Should be here next week.

 

[matpal]

Looks sharp. I generally don't like the Christmas themed cars which is a shame because I love Christmas, but I may have to get one of those reindeer cars. That is really cool.

 

[AmFlyer]

The Reindeer stock car is good looking, better than I expected.
Here is a picture with the Santa action caboose on a powered track. Track voltage is about 14.5V, even so the bulb is too bright. Imagine it the track was ay 18V. The action is switched off since it is a Legacy command control layout. I will need to look for a retrofit LED to replace the incandescent bulb.

 

[AmFlyer]

Another shot of the three newly added Christmas cars. After 5 minutes of running the caboose body is hot to the touch. I found a replacement bayonet base LED for replacement, in the interim I will take out the bulb to avoid melt damage of the plastic.

 

[djjeffr]

Not a Christmas train per sé, but a Christmas layout theme.
Several pics of a 4’x16’ layout utilizing Dep’t. 56 “DickensVillage” and a customized AF Franklin train.
To the Franklin Engine, I’ve added a cabin crew, added a wood fuel source to the tender, added “pull mechanisms for a newly added cradle mounted bell and steam whistle and mounted a round vessel unto the cow catcher.
The Washington exploding boxcar has been modified as a livestock carrier (check the occupant). The Washington flatcar is transporting a new pumper wagon for the fire department instead of a cannon.

 

[mopac]

Love the train and the layout is beautiful.

 

[alaft61ri]

Wow really nice winter layout.

 

[AmFlyer]

Great layout detailing and nice pictures. One reason I started this thread three years ago was to capture Christmas themed layouts.

 

[djjeffr]

Great layout detailing and nice pictures. One reason I started this thread three years ago was to capture Christmas themed layouts.

Thanks! I hope I can contribute a little bit to the forum!

 

[djjeffr]

Love the train and the layout is beautiful.

Thanks,
The train was easy to rework. Two things I forgot to mention are I added the headlight and the tender reverse “lantern”. Funny about the tender lantern, I bought it from LBR Enterprises. They told me I had the tender light mounted upside down! I left it. I can’t tell & I like it that way.