Does anyone make up any special trains for Halloween?

Barb, a family friend, and, a "contemporary", inquired of me over the weekend, if I had purchased any of the specially manufactured "O" or "S" gauge trains to operate at Halloween. Barb thoroughly enjoyed her own personal American Flyer Trains as a young girl in the 1950's. In fact, she still has her American Flyer equipment from her childhood. Barb is also a big fan of decorating the house for Halloween, and has her eye on some of the newly cataloged Halloween equipment for her American Flyer trains.

That got me to thinking [ "Alert the media! ] whether other Tinplate fans set up any Standard Gauge, or other Tinplate for Halloween. In fact, that might be a perfect time to do so given all of the young people of all ages who take special pleasure in the Halloween "season". I am not aware of any specifically manufactured "Tinplate Trains", or layout decorations, for Halloween, as in O-Gauge. But, a number of the bright orange electric locos and passenger cars might be perfect for this purpose.

And, who knows, perhaps some day one of the manufactures may also target "Tinplate Trains" for Halloween. This part of the Hobby seems tailor made for such celebrations given the bright colors, and, the larger sizes of many of the trains.

So, any plans for your Tinplate Trains on Halloween?

Cordially,

Dennis

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611,

No, I don't set up any special trains for Halloween. In fact, Halloween usually finds me wearing a train engineer's costume and trying to blend in with the neighborhood kids so I can get some of those treats, too (one lady down the block makes the best chocolate chip cookies!).

Hank

Dennis....


Over the past several years we have always put up the holiday layout with 4 loops of track, a single length of track a trolley, with about 100 dept 56 buildings, and numerous trees...too many to count.

A couple of years back Lionel starting coming out with more Halloween cars and Engines. We found some of the first cars they issued to be fetching 3 times what their original retail was. So now, we make it a point to purchase every halloween car on an early buy.

Anyway, we do a halloween display with two loops of track and numerous halloween builings. So, most of out halloween trains have been o-gage until this year. I came across an orange and black MTH 8E, and 300 series orange/black passengers that were priced do low that we could not pass up. I hope to run next year, since we just did not have the time to set up this year. I will try an post some photos of previous years setups

JoeG

I like the Lionel and MTH Halloween offerings as well. They seem to be the few modern trains to actually increasing in value as time goes by.

Hey Dennis,

I know you were looking for Tinplate Halloween stories and photos, But that might have to wait until next year. Hopefully these pics will help the wait....so here we go....These pics are from a couple of years ago including Transylvania and pirates cove...















































JoeG

quote:

I know you were looking for Tinplate Halloween stories and photos, But that might have to wait until next year. Hopefully these pics will help the wait....so here we go....These pics are from a couple of years ago including Transylvania and pirates cove...

Joe:

What a wonderful display! Thanks for the excellent photos! Your Halloween Display layout is clearly the best that I have ever seen! WOW!!!

Cordially,

Dennis

Dennis,

Thanks so much for your kind words. They are really appreciated, as we try every year to change it around and as Emeril would say "Kick it up a Notch". This help keep our enthusiasm as well as friends, family, and new aquantinces. Did I spell that right?


JoeG

JoeG,

If you do create a Halloween display this year, and have an opportunity to take and post photos, I would certainly love to see them!

Cordially,

Dennis

P.S. As to, "Did I spell that right? " I hope not to be considered one of the Forum's "spelling police" and concerned with typos or spelling on the Forum (particularly since I make them too!) Your reference may be to the discussion between Art and me concerning his use of the word, "jonsing", and my sincere question as to the spelling of that particular word, which had always intrigued me --due to my lack of knowledge about it! In this regard, I had always wondered about the meaning of "a jones" since the release of the "pop song" with the verse, "a jones for this; a jones for that. This running with the Joneses ain't where its at." I had wondered if the word, "jones", was actually "coined" following the "pop song", "Me and Mrs. Jones" from many years back. As a result, I looked up the meaning and the etymiology of "jones" in the Dictionary, so that I would understand what Art was saying in his post. Knowing that Art taught writing and composition at the college level, I just inquired of him as to the spelling of "jonesing", or, "jonsing", since I couldn't find either spelling in Webster's Online. He's probably the only person that I would discuss such language usage with on The Forum, because of his knowledge, training and experience in teaching at the College level. Sorry for the long explanation! Bottom line, please don't ever worry about spelling on my account!

I'm just thrilled to see your beautiful Halloween decorations and layout, and, very appreciative that you posted the pictures to share with us!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611,

For those who enjoy tinplate restorations, perhaps consideration to a Halloween colored "resto" would be warranted for some fun.

I used to love to visit the Lionel Visitor Center around Halloween, since the layout was resplendent in colorful decorations -- including a re-decorated SOO boxcar that became a "BOO" boxcar. The Lionel personnel who performed their seasonal magic throughout the year truly enjoyed decorating for Halloween -- as did those who had the chance to visit the layout.

I plan to keep an eye out for some appropriately orange colored tinplate for future use around Halloween.

Dennis,

You must have been reading my mind. I recently acquired an MTH 8E, in the orange and black color scheme. Then a few months back I heard here on the forum that Nassua hobby center was blowing out the 300 series passenger sets for $250, so I bought the orange set.

I decided that I wanted the roofs of these cars black, but did not want to de-value the set, and still wanted the option to run all orange. So , I purchased 3 unpainted roofs from MTH, and have them on my todo list to paint black.

I have been also looking some very played with 500 series cars including a 517 caboose, that I repaint into the black/orange them to make my own halloween freight set. I would like to get complete cars that are not all rusted out and dented up. This way... a good cleaning, sandblasting, priming, painting, and possibly a couple of small parts replaced renders a new car.

Sorry, no Hallween display this year.

JoeG

NOT a Halloween fan - it's mainly for children to enjoy!

Art,

I have always been a big kid at heart, and halloween displays are a little like Tinplate. Once you have been bitten by it...it is hard to turn back....

So what is the word on that brute...Have you heard??


JoeG

JoeG:

NICE display!

Our street in Nashville gets closed off to vehicular traffic, and it is safe for the kids to roam from door to door for their treats.

My grandchildren decorate our front porch, and the extent of my participation is to pass out the goodies!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tinplate Art,

quote:

Sorry, no Hallween display this year.

Joe,

The photos of your beautiful display that you have posted are good enough for me! Actually, my wife enjoys decorating for Halloween, so we may be able to do something together which I hadn't considered! I'm sure that she would appreciate some "action" in one of her displays -- much like the store keeper where Joshua Lionel Cowen set up an early train display. I plan to share the wonderful photos of your display with may wife, and, I'm sure that she will also love the idea.
Like you, we may not have a display running this year, but we have 12+ months to plan a little extra Halloween "magic"!

Cordially,

Dennis

quote:

Originally posted by Tinplate Art:
NOT a Halloween fan - it's mainly for children to enjoy!

Yep! I agree, Art. I've been inspired by this thread and Joe's fun photos to add some Halloween fun to my layout ASAP!

Good thread, Dennis...and I enjoy your photos, Joe.

Jim, the 60 year old kid.

quote:

Yep! I agree, Art. I've been inspired by this thread and Joe's fun photos to add some Halloween fun to my layout ASAP!

Good thread, Dennis...and I enjoy your photos, Joe.

Jim, the 60 year old kid.

Jim,

Thanks for the very thoughtful post!

I'm sure that you will create a Tinplate Halloween layout "to die for", with your creativity and exceptionally beautiful roster! Even if it is simple, you have a wonderful eye for color, and, some exceptional "Tinplate'.

Cordially,

Dennis

I like the halloween stuff and I make a layout for the trick or treaters and their parents.

As far as Tin plate and standard gauge. Some rusty unrestored stuff seems appropriate for this holiday. The only slightly halloweeny piece of standard gauge I have is a McCoy Knotts Berry farm and Ghost town boxcar.

I think the new Marx made some Halloween stuff too.