MTH Christmas trains with exterior LED's

The thing that will most likely die (besides physical damage to the strand) will be the driver board that takes the AC from the track and convert it to a proper DC voltage for the strands. While the exact MTH board may go extinct, the circuitry isn't some rocket science. As for replacement LED strands or if you want to roll your own, you will have to look at other offerings that may get you close such as Evans Designs:

https://evandesigns.com/collec...natures-and-dioramas

I have the CP diesel and cars as well as some other LED Christmas cars and have thought the same thing what if...One of the strings of lights of lights went out on the locomotive the first time I put it on the track. I sent it back to MTH and they fixed it no problem all the other LED’s work fine on the cars.   I might have given going down the LED route a second thought if I knew the company was going out of business! 

I share your concern not only regarding the MTH Christmas train items with LED's but for all MTH products.  I've decided that other then non-operating rolling stock i'll stay away from MTH until there is a clearer indication of future part and DCS availability. 

I hope that if the electronics side of MTH doesn't survive that an alternative solution will be found in the way of conversion kits to Legacy or DCC.

I wouldn’t count on Lionel giving out their Legacy system.I think it’s safe to say they’ll keep that in house. I am learning more about DCC with my small HO layout and my one 2 rail O gauge British engine.  DCC May have to be the way to go if the DCS bottom of the boat falls out!  ⛵️

I have both MTH's RK LED engines, all their LED passenger cars and most of their LED tree cars. (see the beginning of the attached video taken at our TMB open house.)  This will be my third year running this train and so far, all lights still work.  I'm sure if the LEDs need to be replaced, I will find a solution, especially with all the products available in the market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...ab_channel=L.I.Train

IMHO this is one of those sets that if you like it you take the plunge.  I have one, it's a great Xmas set but mine arrived with one string out on a box car.  I tried to buy the string part from MTH but that did not have stock.  Mine was a severed wire in the string due to poor assembly.  I repaired the break and it's been fine ever since.   You have to be very careful  of the LEDs when handling.  As stated above, Evan Design has the most suitable replacement LED strings that I know of.

My LED light string was broken - got it replaced

I considered sending the car back under warranty but then I thought I may never see it again.  

If you could find the LED lights with the MTH style close spacing I think the GRJ passenger car lighting circuit would work just fine as replacements or new applications. 

Evan Design is my one stop shop for LED's but as you say the spacing is a little further apart from the MTH strings.

Why not design your own Christmas train?  What happened to the Do it Yourself generation? 

I have been looking for LED light bulbs that are bright and closely spaced bulbs like the ones on the MTH cars but have not found anything like them. Rather then buy MTH lighted cars that may fail in the future I prefer to take old cheap freight cars and paint them up and light them myself. You can get EL light up wires and attach this to freight cars. Comes with battery holders or you could use the mentioned Evans designs AC to DC driver board to convert from rail to DC power. Here is a link to some ideas lots of different types on market. I have found EL light strings at toy stores (used on bicycles) or $1 stores in the craft section. 

https://www.extremeglow.com/st...35-EL-Wire-Kits.aspx