If anyone collects Rail Road or train items check out Hallmark’s Christmas ornament the Freedom Train.
It was used from 1947 to 1949 and traveled around the country to rededicate citizen to the blessings of the American system.
It had over 3 million visitors duing that time period.
The engine is a PA-1 made by ALCO.
I think it’s a great addition to anyones collection.
I believe there is also a heavyweight pax car to go with it.
I just bought the 1947 1 loco, 2 car set. Many are available on E-bay. Altho they’re near Z scale, wheels are too wide for z track but display nicely on n scale track. Wheels rest inside rails, trucks rest on rails.
check this out, the Z scale guys already have them up and operating on their layouts, and have made new brass sides for other types of cars to add to the sleeper and obsv.
Yes, the Freedom Train Ornaments need to be seen! For ornaments, they have very nice detail. The only drawback is the goofy hook & loop couplers. Very soon they should be available at other stores that carry Hallmark ornaments.
Actually, it is possible to get a circle of MTL’s new track & a GP or 2 to pull a nice little Zscale train without spending huge sums. At $12.50 per car & $18.50 per PA, this may be the year Zscale comes of age! Who knows-we may see more Hallmark & Lionel items in the future!
Hallmark also released a nice gold miniature PRR B6 switcher that sold out very quickly. THey would appear to look like a narrow guage Z next to the PA. Larger scale guys may want them for “garden railroads”