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Written by Paul D. Race for  and  |
A Nostalgic Treat Updated for the New Millenium!
Note: This train set has come in and out of production several times since it was introduced about 2006. At the present, this train is officially discountinued. However big stores have been known to find "new old stock" in their back rooms when they're getting ready for the next year's merchandise. So we are leaving this description up in case you come across one and wonder if it's worth bringing home.
Back when model trains began, most trains were pretty big. So-called standard-gauge trains ran on track that was two inches wide, and trains were so big, you couldn't help noticing them as soon as you entered the room. Every once in a while, Lionel reintroduces a classic from that era (usually costing in the thousands). But for Christmas, 2006, Lionel introduced a brand-new classic (and promptly ran out, but it's back in stock now.) It runs on 1.75" track (the kind used for garden railroads, and it's made from materials that are not prone to rust. But it has all of the heirloom-quality charm of those early train sets and more. In fact, I think this train will be in such a high demand that I've started a new page just for this train and for the add-on products that Lionel plans to introduce in the future. In the meantime, if you want any accessories for this train, look for products made to go with garden trains - this train is too big to look right with most stuff made for indoor trains.
Note about Name Confusion: The box for this train (Lionel #7-11000) says "Holiday Tradition Express" on the lid. Unfortunately Lionel also makes a O-gauge train set (#6-31966) called the "Holiday Tradition Special." (That train is shown on our O Gauge Christmas Train page.)
To avoid confusion, the links on this page take you only to the train that is shown and described on this page.
 
Classic Lionel Holiday Train SetThis is the manufacturer's description: This is the classic heirloom-quality animated holiday train set manufactured by Lionel, the foremost name in electric toy trains since 1900, when Joshua Lionel Cowen established the Lionel Manufacturing Company and designed his first model for a toy store display. This meticulously detailed set includes a locomotive that "chuffs" and whistles, as well as a coal tender, bell car, and caboose, each of which is manned by animated elves that shovel coal, turn a crank and swing a mallet to play bells, and pack presents. An animated Santa stands at the end of the caboose and waves. The included infrared remote control operates the train and plays Santa's holiday greeting, rings the bells, sounds the whistle, and plays Jingle Bells and Here Comes Santa Claus. Each piece is decorated with holiday garland and bright white lights. Cars are connected using fixed-knuckle couplers and the wheels are die-cast metal. Includes 12 curved and four straight pieces of G-gauge track that can be configured as a 52" diameter circle or a 65" diameter oval. Includes transformer that plugs into AC. (25 lbs.)
Here are some more product details. If you click on them, you will see a "blowup." Note: The blowup photos are shown much larger than the real product - these are just to give you a better idea of the quality of this set.
To check on price and availability from Hammacher Schlemmer, an internationally recognized supplier of unique gifts, click on the product name below:
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Note: Family Garden TrainsTM, Garden Train StoreTM, Big Christmas TrainsTM, BIG Indoor TrainsTM, and BIG Train StoreTM are trademarks of Breakthrough Communications (www.btcomm.com). All information, data, text, and illustrations on this web site are
Copyright (c) 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 by Paul D. Race.
Reuse or republication without prior written permission is specifically
For more information, please contact me
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Update for 2008 - After becoming very hard to find in late 2007, this set has also become available from at least one Amazon dealer. Click the "check stock" button to check price and availability.
