Model Trains & Christmas Villages: Trolley Guide

Why Model Trains and Christmas Are a Perfect Match

For many of us, our first experience with the joy of playing with trains came with tinsel and stockings nearby. Whether it was opening a giant box covered in cheerful wrapping paper, or watching a long train chase its tail under the colorful lights of the Christmas tree, model trains and Christmas go together like the red and white stripes on a candy cane. 

(image courtesy of Lionel Trains)

Introducing the Christmas Village and Trolleys

We have dogs in our house, which means our tree has been sadly without a train under it for many years. Even a mighty Union Pacific Challenger has a hard time dealing with a teething puppy. Enter the Christmas Village. 

For many, Christmas decorations aren't complete until you've got a little Christmas village set up. These charming, snow-covered little dioramas bring joy to many. A trolley is a wonderful addition that brings action to an otherwise static display. 

This year I purchased an On30 trolley for just that purpose. I will admit, I chose the regular "United Traction Co." livery over Bachmann's made-for-Christmas example shown below. 

Why? Well, if I ever want to make a streetcar layout, now I've got the most expensive part already purchased, and paid for with holiday funds instead of my hobby fund. Okay, so that part might be a little lacking in the Christmas spirit.

Bachmann also makes a battery-operated version that will trek back and forth on its own if you prefer a hands-off approach. 

Choosing the Right Trolley for Your Tree

Selecting the Best Livery and Style

According to the listing on Trainz.com this was a C-8 grade - TCA's way of saying it's Like New. Given the box's near-perfect (if quite dusty) state and the perfect condition of the inner packaging, I think this should have been graded a C-9, but I'm not complaining.

Testing and Preparing Your Trolley

My first test run went well. The interior lit up, and the trolley moved forward and backward. The only issue I could identify was a noisy mechanism and needing a bit more power than usual to get moving, symptoms of a dry gear mechanism. Remember, TCA's grading standards are based on visual appearance and not operation. I'm guessing this trolley sat on the shelf for quite some time before we bought it.

I popped off the keeper plate, exposing the gear drive. Whatever lubricant had been applied at the factory had long since evaporated, leaving the gears and axles dry. Luckily, that's an easy fix.

Labelle 108 is my preferred lubricant, a light weight synthetic oil safe to use on model trains. Don't drown the mechanism though, just a few drops is all it needs. I've had this exact bottle for two decades now, and there's enough for at least another decade or two of maintenance. 

Setting Up Track and Accessories

With the trolley back together, a few test runs were needed to move the lubricant around and thoroughly coat the gears. My favorite Kato Unitrack made for easy assembly, clicking together a few Kato 2-270 curves, some Kato 2-150 straight track, a power feeder, and a pair of bumpers on either end. 

Completing Your Christmas Village Display

Now comes the hard part, the rest of the Christmas village. Luckily, Trainz has plenty of options available. We've got Department 56, Lemax, Danbury Mint and more in stock. What do you think of this "Farewell to the Leg Lamp" scene?

We'll be careful packaging it for shipping of course - it's fra-gee-lay. Or this great Lionel building, so your Christmas villagers can buy their own train sets.

Options Beyond On30: G Scale and More

You don't have to stick with On30, either. We've got a wide range of trolleys and street cars in stock from G scale on down. And of course, if you've got space under the tree and no curious dogs to deal with, there's always the traditional train set under the tree. 

Bringing Holiday Magic Home

So this year, try introducing a Christmas village to your home, with a nice, cheerful trolley to bustle along through the snow-covered trees. Get everything you need from Trainz.com!