What are YOUR thoughts on novelty trains???

I came to O 3R from HO pretty hard line prototype modeler.  But as I age I soften. I own Harry Potter set, Polar Express set and the Coors Kight set....and I like them all 3. But fantasy for the sake of fantasy no thanks.

I've gotten more into some of the fun trains.  Though I wouldn't necessarily want a McDonald's train, cartoon character operating cars are always fun and a big hit with visitors.

I believe some of the speciality trains such as the various soft drink ones were aimed more to sell trains to collectors of items from those brands rather than train collectors specifically.

The only novelty trains I fell for were Lionel's Railroad Art boxcars, unless you count locomotives and rolling stock with the Lionel Lines road name.

Thoughts???  Positive!  These are toy trains ... and I run them like that.  

I buy any and all Hallowe'en trains.  Almost no one dislikes Hallowe'en.  

I actually don't have any real railroad lines. I only have Polar Express, MTH Christmas Express, Route of Reindeer, North Pole Central, North Pole Express, Polar Railroad. Well, I take that back because I do have a couple of Menards flat cars with an army tank, Santa Fe pick up truck, and lighted ambulance (Chicago something or other). None of the people on our layout are real either, nor are the automobiles or trucks all of which vary in scale. The only real thing we have is Santa Claus, but we have several of them, so a few are impostors.

I've invested so much in the fake stuff I have no funds for anything real. If I did, I'd probably stay with the northern hemisphere theme and go Alaska, Great Northern, or one of the Canadian lines. Big fan of Glacier National Park so probably Great Northern.

I have the complete set of MTH's "I Love Toy Trains" issued in Sept 2001.  That's  the only novelty trains I own unless you want to count my 2 very special run Atlas Natty Boh reefers.

If they made a Pink Floyd train set I'd buy it. But no, only prototypical trains for me.

AMCDave posted:

I came to O 3R from HO pretty hard line prototype modeler.  But as I age I soften. I own Harry Potter set, Polar Express set and the Coors Kight set....and I like them all 3. But fantasy for the sake of fantasy no thanks.

I'm just the opposite of that. I used to be into all the whimsical stuff, but have tightened up over the years as the manufacturers have moved to making scale equipment. I don't spend my time or money on the toy stuff anymore.

My kids are grown and I don't have grand kids to entertain yet. If and when that time comes, I think they'll like what I do, even though it's not "kid stuff". A train is a train, and doesn't need "sugar coating" in my opinion.

I was getting out my Christmas trains to run at the G&O holiday show and around the tree today.  These are wonderful trains that bring great memories.  I have heard that the "Polar Express" is Lionel's biggest selling train.

NH Joe

I thought it was fine until I realized that the people at LIONEL would also not be putting as many accurate and appealing paint schemes as possible on some of O Scale freight cars before the production of those O scale freight cars were discontinued.

Now it annoys me that the Phantom is still around, but the Exterior-braced 50' Double-door Boxcars have vanished. I have to buy up the unwanted, low cost versions of those boxcars to change the graphics and trucks.

Andrew

Can't find the clip right now, but the giraffe train ducking down as each car comes to the bridge is a hoot. The guy must have ten giraffe cars.

i haven't had any grandkids cone over and ask "can we count rivets today."

Just ordered a Thomas to replace my aging Coka Cola train for the tree set.

Think I may order a Polar Express in S gauge since I don't have one.

if it is a train, I like it.

  I think the Coke train may have been the most colorful marketing type FANTAsy train, lol. That kind of. stuff goes back to the tin Baby Ruth's and Kusan beer car line for collecting at least, which looks great on display surrounded by family steins. And that's where they shine; on a shelf. Especially the more celebratory marketing things like the State, Presidential, and holiday cars too. Ie those sets are cool to look at because of the variations, but for running I'd rather have six Heinz pickle vat cars than variations of vat cars, or six Baby Ruth vs a Hershey train ,etc.

I think that just about anyone into trains, even scale folks, could be lured into at least one fantasy train if the right theme was offered. The right team, band, softdrink, hard drink, candy, tractor, automobile, or support ribbon has landed on more than a couple scale layouts lol, or at least the shelves That's why they are made, we are into marketing. If we weren't, you wouldn't care what road name was being made on that new release.

The crazy stuff is just plain fun. Running them is play, which I'm proud I can still do at my age. Sure it's on the fringe of not being any kind of train at all, but even that's subject to personal perspective

I also think the fantasy train is an industry must, needed for kids.  Without the more whimsically fun cars like the chicken sweep, gunfighter, rocket launcher, Mercury set etc, that I had when young, who knows,  I might only have a slot car layout today. It's likely Thomas and Chuggington that will bring the majority of next generations into the hobby. Not today, but when they are our age, that scale loco is going to catch their eye a little easier having run Thomas to death as a youth. So don't wish them out of existence thinking your selection of scale will grow that way; I fear the worst, should it become true.

I was about to list my favorites, but it would take way too long. I think if I could only have one engine, one car, and a caboose and it had to be fantasy, it would be the  fire locomotive, ladder car, and red Cross work caboose. My "wish" would be an engine suited to go with the old Bugs Bunny / Marvin the Martian cars. I built one till then

I'm okay with Toy Trains with Play Value... giraffe and Sheriff & Outlaw cars, Space & Military, Polar Express all good.

Where I draw the line is with silly licensed trains.  Norman Rockwell, sports teams, that cheesy artist guy who's name I always forget, Peanuts, John Deere, Disney... blech!

Jon  

I think the Coke train may have been the most colorful marketing type FANTAsy train, lol.

The Coke set was the brainchild of Andy Kriswalus, owner of Kris Model Trains and the Railroad Shop in Endicott, NY.
I purchased a Coke set when they were released.

Had Adriatic not mentioned that set, I might have written that I don't care for the Fantasy stuff. But I guess I do like some of it.
Another fantasy item I like is the Postwar Lionel #52 Fire car.

As always, I am a believer in "To each their own".

Novelty cars are some of my favorites.The aquarium car,Tootsie Roll car,Santa radar tracking car and Santa caboose car are all super amusing.I have a bunch more:cop & hobo car,giraffe car,animal circus car,chicken coop car,mint car.Too much fun.

The only ones I care for are the Christmas themed sets. But that's just me.

-Greg

The only novelty set I have is a Christmas set, with my favorite car being a K-Line one with reindeer and sleigh on the long flat car.

I am a big proponet of buy what YOU like and not what someone else likes.  Regarding the original post, my favorite set the OP lists is one he doesn't like, the phantom sets. 

Jim

I don't even understand "Christmas sets", far less "Coca Cola" sets. My 2 Christmas layouts have regular trains running through winter/Christmas scenery, just like the did in real life.

I have no interest in most of them, but then once in a while a theme comes around that is of personal interest. Lionel came out with a new batch of military-themed cars while my son was on his first Air Force deployments. I picked up a few of the freight cars and repainted an old caboose and K-Line switcher in Air force colors and build a small shelf for it in his room. It was not meant to be a "runner" and his interest in train operating is minimal but he very much appreciated it. I also have a Christmas set for around the tree. Everything else is prototypical. 

Joe, it's ok if you don't understand (enjoy) Christmas sets. We have all the kids under ten who do understand the beauty and fun of a Christmas Train under the Christmas tree. (plus a few of us over the age of 10)

Paul

I enjoy both novelty and the scale, detailed trains.  It all depends on the audience and the mood, as noted above. At times reality can get too real, and a little fantasy and playful fun can be great!  

Standard gauge tinplate is special because those vintage toys make no pretense of being scale depictions of real trains - or, of reality for that matter. They were designed to be played with alone, or,  with family and friends -- on the floor, or, on a table -- visible, cloth covered wires and all.

By contrast, at the club I belong to, we really "get real", and, that's a blast too !  The Club models in HO, and many members are dedicated scale modelers and hobbyists.  At a monthly meeting, I inquired as to how many of the members had started out in the hobby  with Lionel, American Flyer, or, Marx trains.  

Only two of the 30 or so members had started in HO.  The remainder had started out with Lionel, American Flyer or Marx, and began relating their childhood experiences with the Lionel log loader, icing station, missile car, etc.

Especially around Christmastime, it's always fun to feature extra colorful and whimsical trains for young visitors.  To that end, a Lionel Lifesavers train (consisting of different Cal-Stewart tankers) and an MTH M&M's train (consisting of various Railking freightcars over the years) are always crowd-pleasers.

David

I have no use for modern novelty trains.  When I want to run toy trains, I pick up my prewar Lionel or postwar Marx.

With the exception of a couple of Christmas sets (tinplate and otherwise) I don't own any novelty sets. And I've tried to keep the Christmas set buying in check because - frankly - for the expense they only come out for a few weeks a year.

Feel a bit better this season as my wife's law office was putting up Christmas decorations the other day and somebody mentioned, "...doesn't your husband have a bunch of trains?"       So I'm heading over there shortly to set up a Polar Express under their tree and may add another set in the large outer office waiting area.  

I keep the novelty to the 027/traditional stuff. I have a Christmas train that I pull with a BEEP or a 0-6-0 docksider. For regular running I tend to stick to that scale stuff.

Joe Hohmann posted:

I don't even understand "Christmas sets", far less "Coca Cola" sets. My 2 Christmas layouts have regular trains running through winter/Christmas scenery, just like the did in real life.

Railrunnin posted:

Joe, it's ok if you don't understand (enjoy) Christmas sets. We have all the kids under ten who do understand the beauty and fun of a Christmas Train under the Christmas tree. (plus a few of us over the age of 10)

Paul

I get where Joe is coming from.  For many in the hobby there were no novelty sets when they were kids.  Trains under the tree were toy versions of what they saw in real life.

I've always wanted a tinplate set under tree and this year I finally took the plunge and purchased one which I just received last night and will be opening and placing under tree after putting it up tonight. Prior to purchasing I had the dilemma of whether or not to purchase a novelty set and posted on the Tinplate forum to solicit opinions.

While I ended up  purchasing a Christmas themed set as it will appeal to more of the folks who will see it, I easily could have gone the other way. If I was a child of the same era as Joe I most certainly would have made a different choice.

-Greg

As far as the aquarium car is concerned as fantasy....

I have many novelty train items and I love them. Others, I think you would be nuts to buy them. I guess it boils down to what tickles your fancy.  

We have a Polar Express and Wizard of Oz train under the tree.  I'm not a huge fan of novelty trains but my children love them.  Thus, the reason I also have a couple of Batman/Superman boxcars on my actual layout.  I'd have more super hero cars if Lionel didn't charge an absurd amount for them!  But that's a topic for another thread...  

Nairb Rekab posted:

As far as the aquarium car is concerned as fantasy....

The Badger Fish Cars & Dr. Fish Commish -- Wisconsin Natural ...

dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/html/stories/1998/jun98/hatch.htm

 

Fish stocking via rail.By Stephen J. Gilbert. June 1998 Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

Missing: trout

 

Chicago's Shedd Aquarium had something similar,

but they hardly resembled the "big fish tank" on trucks that the Lionel car is...

Rusty

I try to stay close to prototypical, except for aliens/UFOs/ sci fi stuff, in which case I'm all in. I also have the MPC Good'n'Plenty boxcar, because I like the jingle.

Novelty trains are cute for kids.  What would be a real "novelty" is "trains that actually work" when you take them out of the box on Christmas Day.

Gentlemen,

   Novelty trains are great, the Coke Train is just one of my Novelty trains, you got to have a Christmas Train in both Tin Remote Control and Conventional.  Each to his own in our hobby, I do not have a Polar Express Train YET!  I have been real lucky down thru the years all my Christmas Train presents have worked properly, even the one below that my wonder wife gave to me last Christmas.

PCRR/Dave

Anything the mfr's can do to make a profit is good.  It allows them to stay in business making the stuff you like whether real or whimsical.

 Or did you want them to raise their prices?

I don't have much, only a giraffe car and Foghorn Leghorn car, but I don't see a thing wrong with having anything like this. It's all supposed to be for fun. I almost went for the Hallmark Christmas train last year, but I had too may out standing (or would that be outstanding?) pre-orders and didn't want to break the bank. Still waiting on 3 or 4 of the same ones this year.

I can't say what l think of fantasy/novelty cars; it would get this thread deleted. I have the double-door boxcar problem above with drop bottom gondolas  l want the dates of prototype operation on the boxes. As they say in parts of Appalachia, "Fantasy/novelty?...l ain't buyin' nair'n!" However, everybody is allowed to shove their own hundred dollar bills down their own ratholes.

I've said it for decades: Fun is where you find it.

Matters not to me whether a train enthusiast is a toy train lover, or a model train modeler, or the strictest of rivet counters, or a foamer/railfan... or whatever they do with their hobby of trains. If they enjoy what they're doing in the world of trains, that is all the justification that person needs and I have no business judging how they choose to have fun with their hobby.

Now, as for MY thoughts (as the thread asks):

Well, I'm somewhat a hypocrite.

To wit: I like my HO trains to "look" prototypical... but I'm not above using a car/locomotive type a prototype didn't have that looks "close enough" (and my "close enough" may not be as close as your "close enough") like the car/locomotive type the prototype did have. Further, my HO "themes" use my own proto-lanced railroad as the "primary" line I'm modeling and the prototype-based models are only in a supporting role!

Like I said, a hypocrite.

BUT... at least I see myself for what I am, accept it, and openly admit it!

Bottom line: Have fun!

(Also, as I've said in years/recent past in threads like this: As long a product, any product, helps the mfg stay solvent... make it and sell it.)

The Original Andre

Above: "I don't even understand "Christmas sets", far less "Coca Cola" sets."

I'm pretty much the same way, but every so often something shows up that amuses me - and that's important: if the "novelty" doesn't have a humorous element (and is very limited in its "visual footprint"), I generally have no use for it - it can be kind of creepy, somehow. 

I never had a (fantasy) train around a tree as a kid - I had a 4X8 Hi-rail-ish layout in a corner of the dining room, year-round, so this influenced me, I'm sure.

An addendum:

Just happened to think: Even when I was but a lil' tyke... I liked my trains to at least "look like" (i.e. "look like" in a "good enough" way) the ones I would see around my world of Kansas City. 

In 1962, at 10 years of age, I received the following set for Christmas:

To my 10 year old eyes, it looked very much like many of the trains I saw around Kansas City. (i.e. It had a switch engine and cars in railroad-looking paint schemes painted with flat paint.) I loved it then, I love it now.  (Note: the picture is NOT my original set, but a picture of a set just like it that I purchased a few years ago to represent my original set.)

So... I guess preferring my model trains to "look like the prototype" tendency goes waaaay back.

Okay... all from me fer now.

Who's NEXT?

The Original Andre