Hallmark 2017 ornaments.

I think they're great .   Already have the loco, tender, and milk car on the way.   I own all of those originals that run on my layout.  So this will be a fun addition to my Lionel ornament collection.

Although not an ornament, I wish Hallmark hadn't dropped the ball on the Lionel LionChief Toymaker Santa Express O gauge train set they introduced in 2015. Instead of just selling off presumably unsold sets during Christmas 2016, it would have been nice if they'd introduced an add-on car for that set last year or even one for this year. Most folks who've seen the set agree that its metallic candy  apple red steam engine was a beauty. Too bad they abandoned their O gauge colaboration with Lionel after just that initial 2015 production set run.

Got mine in July, during the first new ornament premier. They don't seem to be as heavy as the earlier ornaments, but they still look sharp. I popped into my Hallmark store Saturday to reserve the limited edition gold version that is coming out next week. I don't know how many of these ornaments I need, but as long as they keep making them, I'll probably keep buying them.

Much like the MTH Pittsburgh Themed cars years ago, these are getting out of hand.  It used to be just 1 ornament a year, maybe 2.  Now they come out with 3 or 4 + miniature versions.  Maybe it's time for a gateman or an accessory represented.  And just 1.

I don't go after them like I used to.

MartyE posted:

Much like the MTH Pittsburgh Themed cars years ago, these are getting out of hand.  It used to be just 1 ornament a year, maybe 2.  Now they come out with 3 or 4 + miniature versions.  Maybe it's time for a gateman or an accessory represented.  And just 1.

I don't go after them like I used to.

While they weren't stand-alone or the same size as the engine and rolling stock ornaments, there were a few nice accessories on the ornament that had motion from 2004.  Link.

There might have been another item or 2 on the backside, I think there was at least a 497 coal loader.

I'm starting to agree on these getting out of hand.  Same (actually worse) for the Star Wars line in the Hallmark ornaments.  

The special "Colorway" repaint limited edition ornament each year is starting to lack any creativity as well.  Painting whatever the current year ornament is in flat gold is getting sort of boring.  I liked it better when the decoration was more altered, like the Santa Fe re-decorate, the New Haven F3, the Tuscan GG1 to go with the original Brunswick Green one, etc.

-Dave

ogaugeguy posted:

Although not an ornament, I wish Hallmark hadn't dropped the ball on the Lionel LionChief Toymaker Santa Express O gauge train set they introduced in 2015. Instead of just selling off presumably unsold sets during Christmas 2016, it would have been nice if they'd introduced an add-on car for that set last year or even one for this year. Most folks who've seen the set agree that its metallic candy  apple red steam engine was a beauty. Too bad they abandoned their O gauge colaboration with Lionel after just that initial 2015 production set run.

I love this set and will never get over that color.  But it's painfully obvious that they had trouble selling these sets.  Just like when Lionel sold the exclusive sets at Target a few years ago.  Hallmark had absolutely no reason to expand this set.  I wouldn't be surprised if Macy stops their Thanksgiving Parade boxcar orders.  It's not a money maker for them at all and they likely just do it to appease the few of us who buy them.