Suggested Retail:  $329.99

Trainz.com Price:  $ 294.99

       Background:  Ralphie's earnest pursuit of an Official Red Ryder Carbine Action, 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle has hit the rails.  New for 2009, this colorful, fun set commemorates one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time, Jean Shepard's "A Christmas Story' from 1983. 

The locomotive is an 0-8-0 steam locomotive with smoke and a headlight, and the smoke is synchronized so that it provides one puff of smoke per revolution.  The engine shell is die cast metal and the frame of the engine is plastic. The locomotive also has an operating coupler on the front end.  This engine has slightly more detail than most Lionel 0-8-0s, with more detailed side rods and an operating coupler on the front end.

    The tender has a whistle and an operating coupler on the back.  The whistle is electronic and uses a speaker mounted inside the tender. The whistle is activated by a button on the transformer.

The cars have plastic bodies, die-cast trucks, metal wheels and operating couplers, which can be operated by hand or by using a remote control uncoupling section (available separately).  The set features a gondola with crates, appearing to carry the Old Man's 'major award', a 'Triple Dog-Dare' boxcar with opening doors, a 'You'll shoot your eye out' boxcar with sliding doors, and a lighted caboose.  Various scenes from the movie are pictured on the sides of the boxcars and caboose.  However, no 'Leg Lamp' is included.

The set includes the standard 40" by 60" loop of Fastrack, consisting of eight 36-inch diameter curved sections, 2 10-inch straight sections, a 10" terminal track section, and an automatic uncoupling section, which uncouples the cars automatically and unloads the logs from the operating dump car.  The transformer is the 80-watt CW-80 type.

     Overview:    The latest addition to Lionel's Christmas Set line is one of the most unique, and is a sure conversation-starter travelling around any Christmas tree.  Built to last, the 0-8-0 type locomotive is a nice runner that tracks well and is easy to place and keep on the track.  The engine has a traction tire on it, and it can pull around 10 to 12 cars.

      The cars feature all-metal trucks, an enhancement not usually included in starter sets.  The transformer has 80 watts of power and is strong enough to run the train as well as a few more accessories.  The Christmas Story set is perfect as either a holiday tradition or the starting point for a permanent train layout.

Also, be sure to check out these and other fun additions to the Christmas Story Train Set!