Barry Melek Electric Train Sets

Bachmann Trains Santa

Bachmann Christmas Train Sets - a Couple of My Favorites for Christmas 2010

It would come as a very big "Bah! Humbug!" indeed if the world's largest maker of model trains and model railroad equipment were to overlook the Christmas market. In the USA especially, the seasonally decorated electric train going round and round the base of the Christmas tree is something approaching the iconic status of the tree itself. A slight exaggeration maybe, but important enough for all the major players in the model railroad business to recognize the importance of the occasion - and the market - with suitably kitted out merchandise. Here, we're going to take a look at two of Bachmann's Christmas train sets and see what they offer the serious railroader or what paths into the hobby proper open up with the purchase of a Christmas tree train set.

Something for everyone.

First amongst Bachmann's 2010 Christmas offerings is the Thomas Holiday Special - a Christmas train set in popular HO gauge, consisting of the now very familiar British outline 0-6-0 Class E2 tank engine in vaguely London and North East Railway powder blue livery, along with a candy-cane striped tank car, an open wagon with a Christmas tree inside and a 6 wheeler coach, in suitably Christmassy green. There is a 56" by 38" oval of Bachmann's E-Z snap-fit track, and a power pack and speed/direction controller complete the contents of the box. Thomas comes in wintery, but seasonal garb - with a snowplow on the front and a Santa hat on his smokestack. Oh yes, and the eyes on the front of the boiler, which do so much to humanize the locos in this series, move. This has a recommended retail price of $145.00, although street prices may well be less. As an actual model, it measures up pretty well too. Proportions of the locomotive and wagons are very nice and crisply detailed and the E-Z track is indeed, easily assembled and ready for operation in just minutes. More importantly, it's a great introduction to accepted standards of realism in HO gauge model railroading.

...and the big stuff!

Moving on up and into territory traditionally held by Lionel, Bachman Christmas train sets can also be had in G scale, or 1:20.3. For the newcomers to model-trainspeak, this means that the model is one-twentieth and point three the size of the real thing it is depicting. In plain language, these are quite satisfyingly big models. My personal favorite is the White Christmas Express, a late 19th Century wood-fired 4-6-0 ten-wheeler with the big balloon smokestack, tender and two vintage clerestory coaches. In this scale, the basic supplied oval of track requires an 8ft 2" by 4ft 3" space (compare this with the roughly 4ft by 3 ft space needed for the HO set) for setting up, but assembly and operation is no more challenging than in HO gauge.

The set contains, as you would expect, the track, plus a power pack and speed/direction controller and all the instructions for set up, if needed, on a DVD. The loco has operating headlights, realistic steam train sounds and the coaches have opening doors and interior lighting. But best of all, it looks so right! Bachmann have been very restrained in their decoration of the items in this set, so that if, heaven forbid, the days of steaming round the Christmas tree were to end, the locomotive and coaches could easily find new identities with new paintjobs in a highly detailed garden layout. At a retail price of $440.00, it isn't the cheapest option, but as with everything in this life, you get what you pay for.

Bachmann Christmas train sets are a great introduction to the hobby and to the range of product made by this model train giant. I have just briefly touched on a couple of my particular favorites, but the N gauge enthusiast hasn't been forgotten, nor has the On30 narrow gauger. Start dreaming now, because Christmas will be here before you know it.

About the Author

Liam is an avid collector of model trains and a gamer enthusiastic. Take a look inside his site:http://spicy-gifts-hobbies.com - for more helpful tips and great offers of Christmas trains, Lionel & Bachmann train sets and more..

Bachmann Trains Santa Fe All-Door Box Car #3787 $20.53 Evans all-door box car includes blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours. It is magnetically operated body mounted E-Z Mate couplers. Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings. Celcon trucks added weight for optimum tracking. Features include: Blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours, Magnetically operated body mounted E-Z Mate couplers, Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings, Celcon trucks, Added weight for optimum tracking

Bachmann HO Scale Santa Fe Flyer Train Set $158.54 This Bachmann HO Scale Santa Fe Flyer Train Set includes illustrated instruction manual, power pack and speed controller. This electric train set includes an EMD FT Diesel locomotive with an operating headlight.Made by Bachmann TrainsModel: 00647Materials: Plastic and metalHauling freight across the deserts, mountains, and cities of the American landscape is the Santa Fe FlyerPowered by a mighty Santa Fe FT diesel locomotive with its distinctive 'war bonnet' paint scheme, this sleek and powerful train deftly handles the ever-changing terrain of the Southwest United StatesReady to run train set includes EMD FT Diesel locomotive with operating headlight, open quad hopper, gondola and off-center cabooseSnap fit E-z track assembles to make a 36-inch circleIncludes eleven pieces of curved track and one curved plug-in terminal rerailerPower pack and speed controller includedIllustrated instruction manual includedRecommended for ages 8 and older

Bachmann Williams BAC24006 Frontiersman Set Steam Trains $167.73 Steam trains were in the forefront of getting the people and their supplies into the new territories for settlement hence the name The Frontiersman. This N gauge set includes: an American 440 steam locomotive and tender old time water tank car old time box car old time gondola old time flat car old time bobber caboose 34 x 24 oval of nickel silver EZ track power pack and speed controller and illustrated instruction manual. This type of track has the roadbed built into the track to make a nice and easy look for your layout.

Bachmann G Scale White Christmas Large Train Set $484.9 This Bachmann G Scale White Christmas Large Train Set includes steam locomotive with operating headlight and many train cars. This electric train set runs on a G Scale track and comes with a power pack and speed controller.Made by Bachmann TrainsModel: 90037Materials: Plastic and metalG ScaleReady to run electric train set includes 4-6-0 steam locomotive with operating headlight, smoke and speed-synchronized soundFeatures tender with coal load, gondola car, bobber caboose and Santa figureOval track is 64 inches wide x 51 inches long when assembledIncludes power pack and speed controllerOne 1.9 Volt battery required (not included)Recommended for ages 8 and older

Bachmann Williams BAC92201 G Logs 6 $40.89 G Logs (6) Bachmann Large Scale Trains. Instantly changes the feel of the room. Satisfaction ensured. Made from the finest materials.

Bachmann Williams BAC18963 N Flat Santa Fe with Pipe Load $27.95 This is the N Scale Santa Fe Flatcar with Pipe Load from the Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. NMRA wheel profile. Newly tooled loads. Individual car roadnumbers. Includes: One Santa Fe Flatcar with Pipe Load. Scale: N 1/160.

Bachmann Williams BAC18961 N Flat Santa Fe with Container Load $27.95 This is the N Scale Santa Fe Flatcar with Container Load from the Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. NMRA wheel profile. Newly tooled loads. Individual car roadnumbers. Includes: One Santa Fe Flatcar with Container Load. Scale: N 1/160.

Bachmann Williams BAC99982 Grease Plastic $26.65 This Is EZ Lube Heavy Duty Gear Grease from Bachmann. PremiumGrade Lubricant for Novice to Expert Modelers In All Scales. Plastic compatible. For applications requiring more viscous material such as Large Scale trains. Helpful instructions and tips for lubrication procedures included on the reverse side of the header card. Includes: (1) Bottle.

S P Whistle Stop 45153 Bachmann Trains Water Tank $28.01 Plasticville U.S.A. pieces add character and dimension to your HO scale layout. City growth is limited only by your imagination. Unassembled Plasticville U.S.A. building kit. Parts molded in color. Compatible with all brands of HO scale trains. Create realistic scenes by combining Plasticville U.S.A. buildings and accessories. Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 2 .

S P Whistle Stop 45154 Bachmann Trains Ranch House $28.01 Plasticville U.S.A. pieces add character and dimension to your HO scale layout. City growth is limited only by your imagination. Unassembled Plasticville U.S.A. building kit. Parts molded in color. HO scale. Compatible with all brands of HO scale trains. Create realistic scenes by combining Plasticville U.S.A. buildings and accessories. Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 2 .

Bachmann Williams BAC50552 N Usra 060 Switcher Santa Fe $65.81 For use with all N scale equipment. Black Santa Fe 060 steam switcher locomotive. Locomotive has a die cast housing and metal side frames. Motor with worm gear and insulator. Tender has a sloped shell and traction tires. Locomotive: A.T. S.F. painted in white on each side of the cab. Chrome drive wheels and rods. Thin metal grabrail along sides of boiler. Tender: Black w/3283 painted in white on each side. Wheels are chrome. Locomotive has a lifetime limited warranty. Bachmann quality since 1833. Instructions included. Locomotive and tender come embedded within a styrofoam tray which slides into a windowed cardboard box. One Bachmann N Scale Santa Fe Switcher Locomotive. One Bachmann N Scale Tender. Scale: N 1:160. Length: 23/4 (6.9cm) Length: 13/4 (4.4cm). Width: 3/4 (1.9cm) Width: 3/4 (1.6cm). Height: 11/4 (2.8cm) Height: 1 (2.2cm).

Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Italy $29.99 Bill Bachmann Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Italy - Photographic Print

S P Whistle Stop 32011 Bachmann Trains 3 in. 4 in. Maple Trees 3 Per Box $25.65 Bring your urban or countryside railroad to life with realistic SceneScapes products by Bachmann. Though suitable for all scales the most common size/scale is denoted in the parenthesis after the size description. 3 4 (N scale). 3 per box. Realistic color. Natural texture. Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 7 .

Trains of North America DVD $79.98 Enjoy 25 captivating films and more than 30 hours of North America's most historic railroads and scenic train routes in this collector's set that showcases everything from backyard model trains to diesel-powered superliners. Revisit the glory days of steam engines, ride to work on contemporary commuter trains, travel famous routes on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and take in all four seasons along North America's railroad system. (24 DVD), approx. 30 hrs.

Bachmann Trains Canadian forest All - Door Box Car #4540 $19.35 Evans all-door box car includes blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours. It is magnetically operated body mounted E-Z Mate couplers. Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings. Celcon trucks added weight for optimum tracking. Features include: Blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours, Magnetically operated body mounted E-Z Mate couplers, Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings, Celcon trucks, Added weight for optimum tracking

Bachmann Trains Triangle Pacific All-Door Box Car $18.1 Evans all-door box car includes blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours. It is magnetically operated body mounted E-Z Mate couplers. Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings. Celcon trucks added weight for optimum tracking. Features include: Blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours, Magnetically operated body mounted E-Z Mate couplers, Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings, Celcon trucks, Added weight for optimum tracking

Bachmann Trains Southern Evans All-Door Box Car-Ho Scale $21.54 Silver Series rolling stock features: blackened metal wheels body mounted couplers and non-magnetic axles.

S P Whistle Stop 46903 Bachmann Trains Blinking Oil Tank $31.73 Add detail to your N scale layout with this popular prebuilt accessory. Preassembled. Molded in color. No assembly required. Designed for N Scale Layouts. Highly detailed. Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.9 x 5.4 .

S P Whistle Stop 18966 Bachmann Trains Seaboard with Container Load $28.35 These popular cars from our HO line are now offered to N scale modelers with features similar to their larger scale counterparts. Includes flat car and load. NMRA wheel profile. Individual car road numbers. Highly detailed n scale model. Dimensions: 1 x 2.3 x 6.3 .

S P Whistle Stop 18968 Bachmann Trains Seaboard with Pipe Load $28.35 These popular cars from our HO line are now offered to N scale modelers with features similar to their larger scale counterparts. Includes flat car and load. NMRA wheel profile. Individual car road numbers. Highly detailed n scale model. Dimensions: 1 x 2.3 x 6.3 .

Bachmann Williams BAC77034 Ho Thomas Salt Wagon $33.15 Salt is a precious commodity and is so on the Island of Sodor as well Keeps the trains busy for sure. Painted heavy diecast chassis Blackened metal wheels Internationalstyle hook and loop couplers Compatible with Bachmann s EZ Track(R) Realistically molded body Designed for use on HO/OO scale track. Scale: HO 1:87. OO 1:76. Length: 23/4 (70 mm). Width: 11/4 (32 mm). Height: 13/4 (44 mm). Includes: (1) Salt Wagon.

S P Whistle Stop 44513 Bachmann Trains SnapFit EZ 2.25 in. Straight Track 4 per Card $22.95 Bachmann s exclusive EZ Track system makes setup quick easy and fun. Nickel Silver Rail. Gray Roadbed. EZ Track System: Snaps Together Stays Together on Floors Tables and Carpets. No nails screws or special tools needed. Modeled from AAR track engineering dimensions. Dimensions: 12.2 x 5.2 x 0.3 .

A Century of Legendary Lionel Trains - $24.99 In this two-tape set, the history of the Lionel model train company is presented, from its beginnings in 1900 to modern times. Host and avid Lionel collector, Tom Snyder visits several collectors in A Century of Lionel Trains, and checks out their formidable layouts. He also speaks with Lionel Chairman Emeritus Richard Kughn. The model train enthusiast will see many of the classics in action, including the Norfolk Western J, 75th Anniversary Set, the Standard gauge Blue Comet, the scale Hudson, the Santa Fe F-3s, and the articulated steamer trains. ~ Alice Day, Rovi

Bachmann G Scale White Christmas Train Set $565.9 This Bachmann G Scale White Christmas Train Set electric train set includes power pack and speed control. This ready to run train set comes with steam locomotive with operating headlight and much more.Made by Bachmann TrainsModel: 90076Materials: Plastic and metalG Scale ready to run electric train set includes 4-6-0 steam locomotive with operating headlight, smoke and speed synchronized soundIncludes tender with wood load, combine car with operating door and lighted interior and coach car with lighted interiorOval track is 98 inches long x 51 inches wideFeatures power pack and speed controllerOne 1.9 volt battery required (not included)Recommended for ages 8 and older

Bachmann N Scale Frontiersman Train Set $215.38 This Bachmann N Scale Frontiersman Train Set includes many old-time toy train cars. This electric train set comes with easy to assemble nickel silver E-z track.Made by Bachmann TrainsModel: 24006Materials: Plastic and metalIncludes American 4-4-0 steam locomotive and tender, old-time water tank car, old-time box car, old-time gondola car, old-time flat car and old-time bobber cabooseOval track is 34 inches wide x 24 inches long of nickel silver E-z trackAlso comes with power pack and speed controllerRecommended for ages 8 and older

Bachmann Williams BAC77045 Ho Thomas Brake Van $31.53 Mix and match these seperate items with the different engines to make all sorts of busy trains moving about your layout of the Island of Sodor. Expand your layout with additional track purchases. Painted heavy die cast chassis with trussed underframe. Blackened metal wheels. Internationalstyle hook and loop couplers. Realistically molded wagon body with open verandahs on each end. Compatible with Bachmann s EZ Track. Designed for use on HO/OO scale track. Scale: HO 1:87. OO 1:76. Length: 41/4 (108mm). Width: 13/8 (34cm). Height: 13/4 (44cm). Includes: (1) Freight Car.

Bachmann BAC46720 N Dual Crossing Gates $24.05 For use with all N scale electric trains. Each corner of the piece has a patch of realistically molded plastic turf. A section of Bachmann N scale track runs through the center. A Black plastic two lane road crosses the track. The railroad crossing symbol and stop are painted in White on each lane in front of the railroad tracks. Each side of the road has a Black and White striped crossing gate with a railroad crossing sign and transparent Red signal light lenses. Length: 41/2 (117mm). Width: 3 (78mm). Height: 23/8 (61mm).

Bachmann Santa Fe Flyer Train Set - HO Scale $59.99 Hauling freight across the deserts, mountains, and cities of the American landscape is the Santa Fe Flyer. Powered by a mighty Santa Fe FT diesel locomotive with its distinctive ?war bonnet? paint scheme, this sleek and powerful train deftly handles the ever-changing terrain of the Southwest United States. The Santa Fe Flyer includes: EMD FT diesel locomotive with operating headlight, open quad hopper, gondola, off-center caboose, 36" circle of snap-fit E-Z Track® including 11 pieces of curved track and 1 curved plug-in terminal rerailer, power pack and speed controller, and illustrated instruction manual.

USA Trains USA81065 60 in. Straight Track $55.72 With UV Resistant Ties Solid Brass Rail. USA Trains Track is Fully Compatible with Track from other Manufactures (except Bachmann). Includes Joiners and Hex Head Joiner Screws. Features Euro Style Black Ties and Brass Rail Joiners.

Bachmann Williams BAC46612 N 250 Ton Crane and Boom Santa Fe $34.26 Authentic operating crane car and boom tender. Crane moves left and right up and down. Crane car and tender car: crane black and silver; boom silver. Logos: Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe. Lettering: black and white (A.T.S.F. Santa Fe). Black Crane has (2) hooks and strings. Black couplers and Silver metal wheels.

Trains! $4.99 Cute illustrations bring trains to life for little ones.