It's almost that time of year...

In an email to a forum friend, I just mentioned that I will be pulling out my Christmas trains in two weeks.  On or around November 1st I usually put away all the everyday trains and rolling stock.  Then I start bringing out the Christmas and Winter trains.

It's getting very close.

I don't have any "Christmas tree train sets," since all my trains are out and available for running all year long.  But this section of your post rang very true:

 

...as we look at our old train boxes, with their years, decades of old tape and labels, that we remember those who gave us these trains and shared the joy and fun of them with us from childhood to adult.

 

That's something of which I never lose sight.

Chipset,

 

I recently got a die-cast model of an early box cab diesel-electric locomotive. It's black with red window frames, IT'S CUTE; and, this thing screams Christmas...

 

 

Rick

 

 

 

Aside from our regular Christmas items that span a few generations we will be adding something new this year. At York my wife will be picking out a Tinplate Christmas train. It will run under our tree and we are already excitedly talking about the fun the kids and grand kids will have. My plan is to add the new Thomas in its own loop. It is indeed a grand feeling unpacking the Christmas trains and thinking of those that are no longer with us. My mom made me a Nativity set, ceramic, and that always gives me a sentimental feeling. It's almost 40 years old now...wow...the memories that come out of those attic boxes....  Great thread.  Great posts. 

Jeff,

 

Did you change something about yourself; or, am I thinking of someone else?

 

New photo, maybe?

 

 

Rick

 

 

Very true Jeff...my Dad passed away in 97 and my Mom 4 weeks ago.

We have her nativity set as well that she bought in 1965 when I was 3.

Also, my Lionel train sets, both with 44 years worth of tape on the boxes.

Fortunately, 80% of the box is untouched, but the tape is sentimental too!

Same Jeff. I tried updating my avatar photo. Got laughed at. Dug up this from my wedding. My wife Shannon and I will be at York so thought I would include her in my photo till after York in hopes we are more recognized together. 

My Lionel TMCC PRR Mikado Jr just got an ERR Cruise commander M and an LED cab light in anticipation for the 2012-2013 Redford Theatre Christmas layout.  I've also been testing out other motive power and rolling stock combinations.  I think the Mike with a freight train and my Lionel Santa Fe El Capitan set will be doing the honors this year.  I ran an RMT Beep and Lionel thomas last year.

It can't be too early for rushing the season.  TARGET had a Christmas commercial on the tube 4 days ago!

My local Home Depot had all the trees up and lit last Wednesday.

 

Your post has put a lump in my throat and a tear to my eye.  Appreciated.

Any official word from Daffy Duck concerning the seasons!

 

Sir, you have permission to fire.  Boom! Smoke.  Bill falls to ground.  More briefing.

Jeff,

 

I knew it was you... somehow, younger. I was thinking, nice makeover.

 

 

Rick

I got my trains out now running..

It's also the time of year when I start logging into this website again.  My warm-weather hobbies come to a close and my focus once again shifts to trains.  I've always liked that trains aren't a year-round hobby for me because it means that I never have a chance to get sick of them.  Each year is like magic opening up my Christmas trains.  Forgetting everything I have and getting as excited as I was when I first purchased them.

 

I have to say that I've always liked Christmas, but since I got into trains, my interest in Christmas has skyrocketed.  There is something about trains and Christmas that gets to me like nothing else.  As the holiday nears, I find myself refreshing the forum dozens of times per day to see the latest layout pictures, talk about pop up stores, trains in the chain stores.  Love it all.

 

Every year about Dec 20 I tell myself I'm going to start the layout earlier next year.  I really intend to this year so I have more time to sit back and enjoy the actual layout during December instead of rushing to build it and not really getting to run it until after the holidays.

 

At the same time, I do not want to rush the holidays either.  I don't want to get tired of the whole thing by starting too soon.  So I'm going to wait until at least after Halloween to really start thinking about it. 

This years layout is planned. I was able to sneak 2 extra feet by the Supreme House Commander. Two engines off to Dr Tinker for a tuneup. Lego Christmas village set order for Mini-Me and he has to have it ready for display on the lower level. If I planned it right and my math is on the money than 2 levels, bottom will have a figure 8 with tunnels and a long outside loop. Upper loop simple oval. Trains assigned are anything we want on the outside loop. Dom's Santa Fe Southwest Chief on the '8' and my 1962 original Texas Chief set on the upper.

 

I am surprising my family this year as I have scanned all the past Christmas photos and putting them on a CD. Wonderful project, lot of tears, smiles and many memories of Christmas past!

 

Thanks for posting!

 

Remember, folks, if you come up with something above and beyond the customary train-around-the-tree arrangement, keep in mind that I will be looking for interesting Christmas displays to feature in next December's holiday issue.  A full feature will earn you $400 and a "mini-feature" will get you at least $200.  Really great shots with the right composition will also be candidates for the cover.

 

I need high-resolution photos (largest file size or fewest number that can be placed on your camera's disc) and no single flash shots.