I really like the CP holiday train. I'm going to get the Premier set, Only one question though. Will it have special PFA sounds (like special christmas sounds) or the typical PFA sounds? Maybe it's too early to tell.
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Yeah, I want one too, but my wallet says no. 
It sure is not a cheap set which is why I hope it's as close as it can be to the prototype. I hope the lettering on the side of the box cars light up.
"...and a full symphony of train sounds, from holiday music to diesel sounds, wailing horn, clanging bell and crew conversations."
Trainlover9943 posted:It sure is not a cheap set which is why I hope it's as close as it can be to the prototype. I hope the lettering on the side of the box cars light up.
I am going to seriously suggest that you look very closely at the catalog photos! It appears to me that the only thing that is going to light up is the "exposed" string of lights that runs around perimeter of the loco and cars. None of the other decorations look like they will light at all.
DO NOT ASSUME! Ask questions so that you can make an informed decision before you buy and are later very disappointed!
That's why I asked, the lights are a huge deal for me and really the star of the set. I really want this set to be the very best it can be or it's not coming to my layout. As far as the holiday music goes, is that in the PFA sound? It's probably anyone's guess at this point.
Trainlover9943 posted:That's why I asked, the lights are a huge deal for me and really the star of the set. I really want this set to be the very best it can be or it's not coming to my layout. As far as the holiday music goes, is that in the PFA sound? It's probably anyone's guess at this point.
Only MTH could answer how they are going to release the sound set. I would guess that it would play during PFA and also could be triggered by the soft keys. I say that because of how past engines are.
Trainlover9943 posted:That's why I asked, the lights are a huge deal for me and really the star of the set. I really want this set to be the very best it can be or it's not coming to my layout. As far as the holiday music goes, is that in the PFA sound? It's probably anyone's guess at this point.
It also appears the lights are only going to be around the edges of the engine/cars. I have two of the houses with the lights and they are real winners. I have the RK Cars on order, still on the fence with the engine.
Based on the description, it sounds like the PFA is going to be geared to the Holiday train.
SJC posted:Trainlover9943 posted:That's why I asked, the lights are a huge deal for me and really the star of the set. I really want this set to be the very best it can be or it's not coming to my layout. As far as the holiday music goes, is that in the PFA sound? It's probably anyone's guess at this point.
It also appears the lights are only going to be around the edges of the engine/cars. I have two of the houses with the lights and they are real winners. I have the RK Cars on order, still on the fence with the engine.
Based on the description, it sounds like the PFA is going to be geared to the Holiday train.
Cool. I saw one of the houses and the flat car. They are super cool. I'm going to get the bridge in the RTR catalog. I just really don't know what to do about the holiday train. I like the train but I just don't know if its worth it to risk per ordering it and having it potentially be in some way incorrect. Should I just wait for it to show up?
I'm not buying, because I do not have funds for holiday trains and my layout. However, IMO, MTH could have done more with the bill board lighting.
Oman posted:I'm not buying, because I do not have funds for holiday trains and my layout. However, IMO, MTH could have done more with the bill board lighting.
I'm just lost as to what to do. I don't know if I should buy it or not. And if you talking about the lighting on the cars, I agree. Same with engine, I wish it had all of the lighting the real one has. IMO, I don't think it's worth it.
Plus this is another reason why it's not correct. The Observation car in the set won't have all the lights on the edges or on the end based on the catalog. While it's a beautiful set, I think MTH missed the mark on this set as far as the special lighting goes.
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Gonna pass on this one for now. A very appealing set but - frankly - am going to wait and see what the reviews are after it's in the hands of others.
johnstrains posted:Gonna pass on this one for now. A very appealing set but - frankly - am going to wait and see what the reviews are after it's in the hands of others.
I'm with you. I'll buy the premier horsebonnets instead.
"Our model represents the brightly lit 2009 version, which ranged as far south as Scranton, PA."
it appears the lettering on the box cars is maybe like the '09 version? (not fully lit?)
Could be but I wish that it has the flags ,the trees and the wreath on the engine and if the picture in the catalog is correct, the lighting on the bell and the presents in addition to the edges of the engine and cars.
Looks cool and I'm debating dabbing into MTH with this Premier offering. I'm was comparing it to some Youtube videos and if the lights in the catalog reflect the final product and is missing lights, think it would be hard to add it on later? I want it to the star of the show during Christmas time at night.
Looks nice they offer both the Premier and Railking versions. It looks good but on the real train currently there are LED light strings around each box car and parts of the loco that swap between full colors on the cars. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train that is spelled out along the 4 box cars is lit up in red and the presents and Christmas trees on the sides of the cars light and change between scenes. I painted up a set of box cars and engine to make the Holiday train and have various LED lights and the light sheets to make up the name on the sides of the cars in Red LED light. Perhaps will get it done this year. Think that is a lot of money for the MTH version when you could put a string of LED lights around the edge of a much cheaper box car and light up your own cars with various Christmas themed images along the sides of the train.
If MTH was making it with more of the light up features would be worth the money. But not with the images just painted along the sides of the cars and engine.
kj356 posted:If MTH was making it with more of the light up features would be worth the money. But not with the images just painted along the sides of the cars and engine.
I agree, I think they missed the mark on this set. They could've done better.
To give MTH the benefit of the doubt, I just watched several Youtube videos of the 2009 CP Holiday Train since I knew it has continued to be made more elaborate over the years.
Sorry MTH, this model doesn't come close to the 2009 CP Holiday Train. For example:
- The lights outlining the engine and box cars are all supposed to be a single color that cycles through several colors.
- Where's the little illuminated Christmas tree that belongs on top of the engine cab?
- All of the shapes/images on the sides of the engine and boxcars should light up.
- The passenger cars should be outlined with solid color lights that cycle through several colors.
- Why 3 observation cars and no coaches?
The engine lists for $100 more than the other AC4400CW engines in the catalog. That seems like an awful big premium to put some lights around the outline of the engine and to add a couple of images.
I am going to be hopeful that MTH acknowledges these shortcomings and improves the design before they go into production. If someone from MTH is reading this forum, I (and I'm sure many others) would appreciate your comments.
VinceL posted:To give MTH the benefit of the doubt, I just watched several Youtube videos of the 2009 CP Holiday Train since I knew it has continued to be made more elaborate over the years.
Sorry MTH, this model doesn't come close to the 2009 CP Holiday Train. For example:
- The lights outlining the engine and box cars are all supposed to be a single color that cycles through several colors.
- Where's the little illuminated Christmas tree that belongs on top of the engine cab?
- All of the shapes/images on the sides of the engine and boxcars should light up.
- The passenger cars should be outlined with solid color lights that cycle through several colors.
- Why 3 observation cars and no coaches?
The engine lists for $100 more than the other AC4400CW engines in the catalog. That seems like an awful big premium to put some lights around the outline of the engine and to add a couple of images.
I am going to be hopeful that MTH acknowledges these shortcomings and improves the design before they go into production. If someone from MTH is reading this forum, I (and I'm sure many others) would appreciate your comments.
At least I'm not the only one with these concerns. The lighting on the freight and passenger cars is the reason to buy the train in the first place. I, like you, hope that MTH makes it better than what's in the catalog. I might the lights on the side of the engine and box cars is cool but the lights on the bell, the trees and presents are even cooler. Also I hope they include the Canadian and U.S. flags with the engine. I'm going to wait and see what the finished product is before I order.
Speaking of the CP holiday train, what ever happened to the one gent on this forum that was customizing his own scale version of this train?
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Speaking of the CP holiday train, what ever happened to the one gent on this forum that was customizing his own scale version of this train?
That would be forum member "Michigan & Ohio Valley Lines". Not sure if he ever completed it though.
I was thinking of ordering a set as well, but if only the lights along the edges light up and none of the other decorations on the sides.....THEN I'M OUT!!!!!
MTH should of had these in the stores by now. Are they going to make in time for Christmas?
ClarkA posted:MTH should of had these in the stores by now. Are they going to make in time for Christmas?
The Railking Cars are here, and have been for several weeks. I've got them but haven't opened them yet. Hoping to have an engine to pull them before Christmas.
Premier cars are not here and I haven't seen any mention of them shipping.
Engines should "supposedly" be in stores by mid-late December.
You'd think they would air ship them, or do whatever it takes to have them in stores for Christmas but................
ClarkA posted:MTH should of had these in the stores by now. Are they going to make in time for Christmas?
The 4-car boxcar set with the LEDs IS in stores now. Several dealers have them, and in another thread some forum members mentioned that they have them in hand.
The CP loco is supposed to arrive "mid-November" according to a recent thread.
So the answer to your question would appear to be "yes." 
EDIT: I see SJC beat me to the punch. 
And he says "mid-December" so Christmas delivery on the loco could be close.
If I viewed every set or engine or passenger car I own as having some flaw because it isn’t a perfect match for the real thing, I wouldn’t have any fun. I was eight years old when my dad gave my first train set. We put a layout up every Christmas, together. My dad said to always have fun and never be afraid to use your imagination. I ordered the Railking version of the CP set but not the engine because I have a smaller layout. I also didn’t want to spend the extra $300. I’ll pull the train with my SOO engine (no Christmas lights). I think the cars look great. When they go under the tree, Christmas music will be available whenever we want. I’m happy!
I recieved the 4 RK box cars and the 3 flat cars with lights and Christmas trees. MTH has done a great job on these cars. The lights really stand out and are well done.
If you want a Christmas train this is the ultimate IMO.
It does seem some of you want too much from MTH because it not 100% to the prototype. Wheather it is the RK version or the premier you finally pick you will not be disappointed
dave
I have not been able to get my train done yet but here are some photos of the lettering that I had etched in 1/8 inch plexiglass to light up the with LED lights from Evans supplies. These shots with the instant camera are over exposed actually when looking at it with the house lights off the lettering shows up nice and red with 1 LED red light at each end not as white as in this photo. I am experimenting with how to hide the edge of the plexiglass with the red tape in the photo trying to get something close to the body color. And I may need to do the ends of the plexiglass with foil tape to stop the light bleed. While these photos do not show it, it actually looks pretty good. I have have included a copy of the text style that was as close as I could come to that on the box cars. I am not buying the MTH train as I have been working on my own version fully let for a while. However I do many train shows a year with a large display and now 4 different large to small Christmas theme model railway villages for the Christmas holidays so have not had the time to get to finishing this train. I really hope to over the holidays. I am looking at Miller engineering EL sheets for lighting some of the images on the train. Or I may get some more of the animated images on the train done with more etched plexiglass in layers and alternate the lights to show the figures etc. look like they are moving still tinkering with that.
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david1 posted:I recieved the 4 RK box cars and the 3 flat cars with lights and Christmas trees. MTH has done a great job on these cars. The lights really stand out and are well done.
If you want a Christmas train this is the ultimate IMO.
It does seem some of you want too much from MTH because it not 100% to the prototype. Wheather it is the RK version or the premier you finally pick you will not be disappointed
dave
Store by us sold all their sets of cars by last week. a lit up display at a store would surely help sell all they could get. Seems a lot of folks love it!
Yea these are hot be sold out quickly
I'm not a MTH guru, but this set intrigues me. I see two engines, RailKing & Premier, and two sets of cars, both Railking. Will there be a size discrepancy between the the Premier loco and Railking cars?
Actually, there are Premier and Railking locomotives and boxcar sets. Rocky Mountain posted links to both here:
Thanks!
Folks,
Sort of an unusual request but I know this is the place to ask.
I REALLY like the CP holiday boxcar set and have found it here and there at some decent prices. BUT – I run 100 percent conventional on a PW-style layout so command control pulling power isn’t for me. Or to put it another way, have a hard time justifying the price of the CP diesel when I wouldn’t use 90 percent of the features.
So, looking for some alternate suggestions. Sure, I know -- something cheaper and something red that would be a decent substitute for a holiday train. I’ll look around myself but in the meantime if anyone has a great suggestion(s).
Thanks! 
johnstrains posted:Folks,
Sort of an unusual request but I know this is the place to ask.
I REALLY like the CP holiday boxcar set and have found it here and there at some decent prices. BUT – I run 100 percent conventional on a PW-style layout so command control pulling power isn’t for me. Or to put it another way, have a hard time justifying the price of the CP diesel when I wouldn’t use 90 percent of the features.
So, looking for some alternate suggestions. Sure, I know -- something cheaper and something red that would be a decent substitute for a holiday train.
Thanks!
Anything of interest from Williams? Marios has a Williams Canadian Pacific Alco AB set. Granted the price is right up there with the MTH engine but doesn't have all of the features.
Lionel has also made a LC+ Pacific in CP. I've got an RBMN LC+ Pacific that I really like!
Might be able to find something in older Williams/Bachmann in CP or another color if you don't have to have CP
SJC posted:johnstrains posted:Folks,
Sort of an unusual request but I know this is the place to ask.
I REALLY like the CP holiday boxcar set and have found it here and there at some decent prices. BUT – I run 100 percent conventional on a PW-style layout so command control pulling power isn’t for me. Or to put it another way, have a hard time justifying the price of the CP diesel when I wouldn’t use 90 percent of the features.
So, looking for some alternate suggestions. Sure, I know -- something cheaper and something red that would be a decent substitute for a holiday train.
Thanks!
Anything of interest from Williams? Marios has a Williams Canadian Pacific Alco AB set. Granted the price is right up there with the MTH engine but doesn't have all of the features.
Lionel has also made a LC+ Pacific in CP. I've got an RBMN LC+ Pacific that I really like!
Might be able to find something in older Williams/Bachmann in CP or another color if you don't have to have CP
Excellent ideas!
I think Williams might be the ideal answer. Plenty of those around from dealers and on secondary market. And LC+ could fit the bill also. I’ve got lots of Williams motive power/rolling stock and 3 LC+ locos. Great stuff.
Good suggestions. Much appreciated!
Finally opened my cars tonight and put them on the big siding on my upper loop. Couldn't resist coupling them to the back of the subway for a spin!!!
This will be one hell of a train once the engine arrives!
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Nice!
Darn, I was back on the fence on these but they really do look great.
Railking version, right?
