I am a collector/operator of Lionel North Pole Central and have many of the original set expansions packs, motorized units and small locomotives (Dockside Switcher, Snow Plow) , add on cars, and operating cars. So I've been trying to sort out in my head what all of these Lionel offerings are...
There is the Santa Flyer 1 and Santa FLyer 2 (not to be confused with the Santa Flyer Freight Set which is not NPC), based on the Euro style loco that first appeared in the Harry Potter set. But I had been reluctant to purchase because there just didn't seem to be any add-ons to these... Until now. It seems the "North Pole Express 2-Pack" is styled after the Harry Potter Passenger Coach and Combo car and in this set are designated as Mistletoe and Silver Bell respectively. They are indeed NPC although the product name might lead one to believe it is related to the North Pole Express Freight Set... Why there is but one Passenger coach is a mystery, and leaves one to wonder if there will be a second added on in the future? A two car consist behind the Santa Flyer locos seems a bit lacking.
While I like the new cars, I also had my eyes on the new Victorian Christmas set, also based on the Harry Potter loco and it has a consist of three cars, which I had imagined as the Euro version of the Polar Express for impoverished British and northern European kid's excursion to the NP.
Not sure I need the Santa FLyer 1 or 2 with the North Pole Express car 2-pack, as I have the full compliment of Original NPC passenger set reindeer named cars for elf transport... But Now that I have it sorted out, I can compare the alternatives.
In past years, have run the Polar Express to the NP on a segment of layout based on Snow Village houses and Super O track, transitioning to the NP village pieces with Fastrack,and am tempted to create another segment based on the Euro themed Victorian train... Not crazy about the Dickens village pieces but its a possibility.
But this whole NPC thing is getting a bit out of hand. Can't bring myself to spring for the more expensive pieces like the Legacy Pioneer Zephyr or the GP's, as I prefer to run conventional or TMCC (the little NPC inspection car was TMCC). But then, maybe Santa will come through on one of these...
Any other ideas?