Christmas Trees, Trains and More - 2025

[Bruette]

Photo courtesy of Gregory Owen Johnson via Facebook

 

[BigGRacing]

This finally arrived, two years late. Another Lionel BTO (built to order) Legacy. This is a C&O F-19 prototype, obviously decorated for Christmas.
Headed over to be with the Polar Express, and the Jingle Bell Express E9 units (see RPO thread from two years ago).

It is a magnificent looking locomotive. Very hefty as Lionel Legacy should be. Having not run it yet, my only disappointment is the green paint. All the advertisements showed it as darker and more metallic and hence more noble. The brass work (paint again) is not as shiny as I would like. I can easily fix that as those are small details. This year though, I am behind. Normally I have the Christmas Forest at least laid out and planned, and over Thanksgiving Holiday pretty far along. This year I've not even been to the site yet. Yipes!
View attachment 249910View attachment 249909

I think it still looks awesome !

 

[Bruette]

I don’t think I’ve shared a photo of this before. It’s a Lenox Holy Family my wife and I found at Macy’s Holiday Lane during our first Christmas together. As it turned out, that was the last year Macy’s had a dedicated area for their Holiday Lane items.

I keep it on a shelf in our living room year-round because it’s very special to me. This year, I decided to add one of my late mother’s window candles that she used every Christmas, which has made it even more meaningful.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

[Bruette]

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad History​

Matthew Ollendick via Facebook

Beautiful Union Terminal in Cincinnati which holds the old Baltimore and Ohio O Gauge Layout. Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[Bruette]

My reason for the season.

 

[Bruette]

Finally, the photos of my 2025 Thanksgiving Train.

North Pole Central #1224 LionChief GP38 - Lionel 2034210 - 2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Boxcar - Lionel 6‑39325

2012 Thanksgiving Holiday Boxcar - Lionel 6‑39359 - 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Boxcar - A Lionel uncatalogued exclusive only available through Macy's, no Lionel number.

2013 Thanksgiving Holiday Boxcar - Lionel 6‑25961 - 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Boxcar - Lionel 6‑39309

2017 Happy Thanksgiving Boxcar - Lionel 6‑83800 - Christmas Illuminated Caboose - Lionel 6‑16547

 

[John from Indiana]

When Joan and I moved from SoCal we settled into Aloha, Oregon. It's about 8 miles SW of Portland, adjacent to Beaverton, Oregon. I liked the town (Number 2 in suicides, Seattle being number 1). Only thing I didn't like was the politics. Way to liberal for my suiting. I see now that Oregon does not recognize "Christmas" trees...could be just the Portland area. They referred to the lighting of the Christmas Trees as "turning on the trees." I'm glad we moved out when we did 22 years ago

 

[Bruette]

They referred to the lighting of the Christmas Trees as "turning on the trees."

That is just plain stupid! It sounds like they have been "turning on"

I completely respect those who choose to celebrate a secular holiday, but respect goes both ways. I expect the same consideration for my faith, Christmas, and its history and traditions.

 

[Bruette]

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

Only thing I didn't like was the politics. Way to liberal for my suiting.

That's why my family and I left Colorado, we love it here in Wyoming.

I see now that Oregon does not recognize "Christmas" trees...could be just the Portland area. They referred to the lighting of the Christmas Trees as "turning on the trees."

That is just infantile on their part. Nobody is being forced to celebrate Christmas, or any other holiday.

That is just plain stupid! It sounds like they have been "turning on"

I completely respect those who choose to celebrate a secular holiday, but respect goes both ways. I expect the same consideration for my faith, Christmas, and its history and traditions.

Totally agree!

 

[Iron Horseman]

Hmmm, I posted this in Facebook a while back, thought I had cross posted it here.

Spent all week (since last Friday) working on the Christmas Forest. Lots of "grass carpet" cleaning to do as this same area is also where the lawnmowers get parked during the summer time.

This year going to feature two of my good friend Wayne's blob modules for HO trains. Never want to put HO on the floor. Too dangerous for the poor little trains down there.

Since then I've filled it in a bit.

 

[PMW]

Only thing I didn't like was the politics. Way to liberal for my suiting.

That's why my family and I left Colorado, we love it here in Wyoming.

So I guess we've decided as a community that we won't talk about politics or religion here... unless it's pro Conservative and/or pro Christianity, then it's ok.

Louis, these threads haven't bothered me a bit but just to make a point I would like you all to think what would happen if I started a thread every year having nothing to do with model railroading but rather discussed what it's like to be a member of the minority who does not believe in any gods and further more welcomed pro liberal / anti conservative sentiments...how long would that last?

I wonder how long before this post is taken down

 

[John from Indiana]

So I guess we've decided as a community that we won't talk about politics or religion here... unless it's pro Conservative and/or pro Christianity, then it's ok.

Louis, these threads haven't bothered me a bit but just to make a point I would like you all to think what would happen if I started a thread every year having nothing to do with model railroading but rather discussed what it's like to be a member of the minority who does not believe in any gods and further more welcomed pro liberal / anti conservative sentiments...how long would that last?

I wonder how long before this post is taken down

The topic was Christmas trees, I was commenting on Portland's' refusal to use the word Christmas in the tree lighting ceremony. I didn't mention anything at all about how Portland has run itself into the ground with it's political views

 

[PMW]

Anyone who would like to discuss please dm me. I'm not hijacking a thread with a side conversation. I'm going to bed soon but I will respond to any dm's soon enough

 

[John from Indiana]

You mentioned me, so I was just clarifying my post...Good night

 

[Bruette]

Hmmm, I posted this in Facebook a while back, thought I had cross posted it here.

Spent all week (since last Friday) working on the Christmas Forest. Lots of "grass carpet" cleaning to do as this same area is also where the lawnmowers get parked during the summer time.

This year going to feature two of my good friend Wayne's blob modules for HO trains. Never want to put HO on the floor. Too dangerous for the poor little trains down there.

View attachment 250908

Since then I've filled it in a bit.

View attachment 250909

Looking good, I love the blue bow on the tree!

 

[John from Indiana]

When I was a kid in SoCal there use to be Christmas trees lots on almost every corner. Today in Indiana I wouldn't know where to get a single tree. I guess phony trees are the way...yes we have one too. The bad thing is that the way are house is built, we don't have a good space to put it up at, other than a bedroom that would only be visible from the street and not to us.

 

[Bruette]

When I was a kid in SoCal there use to be Christmas trees lots on almost every corner.

Your observations are correct. Real trees are less popular than in the past. Less than 20% of households use real trees.

 

[BigGRacing]

That is just plain stupid! It sounds like they have been "turning on"

I completely respect those who choose to celebrate a secular holiday, but respect goes both ways. I expect the same consideration for my faith, Christmas, and its history and traditions.

Well said!

 

[BigGRacing]

Since then I've filled it in a bit.

That looks perfect!