The Lionel Corp. sold trains, not Christmas decorations. That's not a judgment, just a statement.
The tains could be used around the tree or otherwise at Christmas (many were used ONLY at Christmas), but they weren't limited to it by design or appearance.
Holiday-themed trains are a modern by-product of collecting. In the Pre- and Post-war days, most families had one (or two perhaps) trains, not a collection. They were toys, not display pieces.
I checked my collector books as I said I would, and it looks like Lionel did NO Christmas themed articles in the post-war era, at least none that I could find.
However, in the Modern Era beginning in the 70's some Christmas themed boxcars began to show up. By the late 80's-early 90's the Christmas cars were coming on a regular basis. And then of course, the "Polar Express."
1105 clockwork.
There is an illustration of this car that shows it as having a tree with one teardrop lamp on top which suggests Lionel considered making an electric version or one with a battery powered light on the tree.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I think Lionel had a Santa Claus handcar pre-war, contemporary with the Micky Mouse and Easter Bunny handcars, but I'm not sure. I'll have to look that one up and get back to everyone.
6050 (Blt by LIONEL 1961) XMAS SAVINGS boxcar.
If your other hobby is watching paint dry, this is the car for you.
It seems that when Dept 56 came out with their Snow Village, that's probably when the demand for Christmas/Holiday themed toy trains started to evolve.
Penny Trains The only "Christmas themed" cars I'm aware of (besides handcars) from either Lionel or Flyer were their Christmas tree cars. Or as I like to call them, their "weed cars".
The only "Christmas themed" cars I'm aware of (besides handcars) from either Lionel or Flyer were their Christmas tree cars. Or as I like to call them, their "weed cars".
how about the 6826 red flatcar with trees on it. I would think that would be christmas oriented
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
The only holiday themed train that comes to mind is the Peter Rabbit Chickmobile, which was prewar.Did they make a handcar with Santa on one side, and a Christmas tree on the other?
Lionel sells a lot of Christmas speciality sets and individual Christmas train items. However, I am only aware of the Santa Claus handcar during the prewar and postwar periods.
Did Lionel make any prewar or postwar train items decorated for Christmas, other than the Santa Claus handcar?
Earl
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