My first Christmas train… ideas and acquisitions

[GrandpasTrains]

I’m building my first HO Christmas train (DC silent) and have acquired a used, appropriately colored and tested Model Power “Fat Boy” 0-4-0 (weighted for stability and outfitted with knuckle couplers)

Behind it I’ll put the two boxcars I’ve acquired

Then I’m planning on outfitting (myself) a 40’ gondola car with some lighted trees, ornaments, gifts and Santa

Thinking of adding a flat car with the Holy Family / Manger scene

Followed by a Christmas caboose

My current issue is finding a Christmas caboose… (used, at a reasonable price)

I’ll keep searching… I just don’t want to pay much and don’t want to “pre-order” a new one that may or not not be here in time

[York1]

Let us know if you find one!

[GrandpasTrains]

Now thinking I just may go with a red painted, but unlettered caboose (maybe a bobber) and decorate it myself!

That sounds like a grand idea! And I don’t often disagree with myself

[AmFlyerTom]

You did not specify the scale, based on the pictures I assume it is HO. I am a fanatic about Christmas and Christmas trains. Entering HO Christmas caboose into my search engine brings up a number of choices. The one I kind of like is a Lionel HO preorder (2554350) that would go well with your engine.

[GrandpasTrains]

Yes, HO.

And I did same of course (searches)… and the searches also came up with several pre-order possibilities.

However, I’m hesitant to pre-order anything when delivery isn’t assured by a certain date. Many pre-orders mention “arrive by 12-31-26”.

Given this is a Christmas train… I’m not willing to risk a delivery coming after Christmas.

So I just thought it would be easy to buy a reasonably priced, used Christmas caboose with knuckle couplers (I’ve about had my fill of removing horn hooks and replacing with knuckle)

But alas… not as easy to find as I thought.

I may need to make my own or bite the bullet and pay a lot for a new caboose if I find one in stock.

But I do like these! (Lionel Pre orders) #231225

And the one you mentioned #2554350

[AmFlyerTom]

Both of those have been delivered and show as sold out on the Lionel Store site. I do not see either available elsewhere. Unfortunately I do not have any miracle worker sources for HO items like I do for S gauge.

[GrandpasTrains]

Hoping to find this one in HO scale (this pic is of an N scale)

[GrandpasTrains]

Steamer and tender in my original post above arrived today… runs well, stays on my “rough” sectional track (old life-like power loc) without derailing

Some day I’ll need to upgrade my layout and replace that track with something better

I keep it diligently cleaned, which helps, but the joints are usually the problem

[GrandpasTrains]

Well… did some test running today and new (unforeseen by me) issue surfaced

The little 0-4-0 steamer / tender combo cannot climb the 4% grade puliing just two of my Christmas cars and a caboose

The wheels spin about half way up

I wonder if I can put some more weight on the steamer and make it work

I might test that now wirh some temporary weight affixed

[GrandpasTrains]

Current weights

So…sure seems like weight is not the issue… I may have to just run this Chritmas setup with less one box car and a Christmas caboose when I find one

Edit- runs fine that way… just tested it (it’ll just be my 'short little Christmas train)

[GrandpasTrains]

Maybe I’ll try some bullfrog snot (just heard about and read about that)

[TheChallenger]

Because of the small wheelbase, it will stop a lot especially over switches with only one pickup wheel on the side it is put on. The only way I can think of fixing this would be adding tender pickup.

[GrandpasTrains]

Makes sense.

In this case… it doesn’t stop anywhere… it just struggles with the 4% grade