It’s another week of fun here at Trainz.com which means another week of some weekly Quick Hits! I’ve got some brand-new, and dare I say tasty Lionel products for my O Gauge people, and a really nice piece of HO brass that just came in last week! Break out the smoke fluid, folks (because I like some animation) and get ready for another quick hits ride!
A Sweet Treat on the Rails: Willy Wonka Tank Car Delights
Lionel 2328410 O Willy Wonka Tank Car
“The best kind of prize is a… Sur-Prise!”
It’s no secret to my friends and family that I have a massive sweet tooth, so the moment I saw something candy-related, I knew it was a wrap! This delicious tank car, loaded with Gobstoppers, is the brand-new Willy Wonka tank car from Lionel. Featured in Lionel’s 2023 Big Book, the tank sits on a purple chassis inspired by Wonka’s famous purple coat and is a medley of fun colors courtesy of the Gobstopper-filled tank.
The Willy Wonka tank car wasn’t the only Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired piece to hit Lionel’s Big Book this year, and was featured along an entire line of Willy Wonka trains! The Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory O Gauge LionChief Starter Set is an incredible Willy Wonka gift and one of the most detailed sets I’ve seen from Lionel in a long time. The Wonka set comes with a locomotive, tender, and three freight cars, all designed with a wonderful purple base-paint that’s reminiscent of the original Wonka chocolate bars that used to be on store shelves. Looking even further, you’ll notice Oompa-Loompas dancing throughout each car – be forewarned though, run if they start singing! I grew up on the original 1971 film starring the late Gene Wilder, and I can’t help but see his portrayal of the eccentric candy maker every time I look at this set.
Lionel also released a couple of more Willy Wonka related items with the Golden Ticket Boxcar (model # 2328490) getting its release this year – which works out perfectly because we’ll need it to gain entry into the Wonka Packaging Facility (model # 2329280). Personally, I’ve always thought it incredible to have Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory on a layout. It’s like a fun little Easter egg you can include in your layout design, maybe set it in front of some industrial smoking pillars to give you that extra level of realism.
Disney Magic on the Rails: Mickey & Donald Handcar Rolls In
Lionel 8-87207 G Disney Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck Handcar
This G-Scale Lionel features my all-time favorite Disney character – Donald Duck! Naturally, this being Disney, Mickey was going to show up somewhere, and in this case, he’s here to lend his quacky pal a hand with this handcar, ← see what I did there? I wanted to find something really neat for my G-Scale crowd, and I think this certainly beats out your traditional gondola for the “most fun” award.
Lionel has been partnering up with Mickey and his pals since the late 70s – producing licensed Disney trains for nearly fifty years now! This Mickey & Donald handcar was massively popular when it was initially released in 1995, and is becoming increasingly scarce on the market. Seriously, I’ve been around model trains every day for quite some time now, and this was my first time seeing this particular piece.
It’s especially fun running across model trains that give you a nostalgia rush, and I was definitely feeling it here. Oh, and I'm a sucker for anything Daffy Duck, so this handcar was an immediate charmer for me. We received a 60th-birthday Donald Duck boxcar (model #6-19270) that may not make it to retail if I can find it.
Brass Beauty Unleashed: UP 4-12-2 Steam Power Shines
Key ImBrass Beauty Unleashed: UP 4-12-2 Steam Power Shineszports Brass UP 4-12-2 Steam Loco & Tender
Well, we’re at the midpoint of the showcase, and the fun just keeps going. For all of my HO runners looking for a new prescription of fun – this brass HO steam locomotive from Key Imports is just what the doctor ordered. This beautiful 4-12-2 is a fresh injection of both detail and fun – good looks and a strong motor? I’ll take it!
Introduced in the mid-1920s and built by ALCO (88 total units, to be exact), the 4-12-2 was a 20th-century powerhouse, with some reports claiming the engine could hit 50mph while hauling over 100 freight cars! Designed by ALCO for Union Pacific, the 4-12-2 was a preview of what was to come, serving as a precursor for even larger Union Pacific locomotives like the Challenger and the Big Boy. The 4-12-2 was introduced as the 9000 class and enjoyed nearly 30 years of service before finally being retired in the late 50s. Of the 88 models built, only one was ever preserved and is currently in museum status in California.
Another interesting little tidbit about the 4-12-2 is how few of these models we have in our inventory. Seriously, we only have ten 4-12-2 locomotives in stock, and a number of sold out units that haven’t seen a new release from their respective manufacturers. For brass collectors, this is a piece that doesn’t circulate much, so being able to handle it was definitely a treat for me.
- Manufacturer: Key Imports
- Road Name: Union Pacific (UP)
- Scale/Era: HO Scale
N Scale Nostalgia: Sonny’s Super Service Brings the 50s to Life
Woodland Scenics PF5203 N Sonny's Super Service Building Kit
Ok N-Scale folks, it’s almost that time of the year to treat yourselves or your layouts to something nice. I didn’t want to choose a drab old 2-story building, and lucked out big time when I found Sonny’s Super Service gas station from Woodland Scenics. I’m all about pop and delivery when it comes to layouts, so it’s always “go big or go home.” That’s where Woodland Scenics delivers with this N-Scale layout accessory.
The kit itself isn’t assembled, but does come with very easy-to-read instructions so you can get your N-Scale building up in no time. There’s a plethora of unique decals included, all of which are very nicely detailed and give off some really cool 1950s Americana vibes. There’s a pin-up girl and a couple of choppers included that are especially up my alley. I’m a sucker for a lot of 50s vintage myself.
I try to find accessories that bring layouts to life with minimal effort, and that’s where I think Sonny Super Service really delivers. The colors, the signage, and overall vintage appeal all do wonders, bringing a nice life-like dynamic that really flies under the radar…at first! While I wouldn’t recommend such an elaborately detailed piece to be your building block for a layout, I do think this is the perfect cherry on top for anybody trying to fit that last bit of realism on their N-Scale layout. If you need to fuel up before your next adventure, you can stop by here and take a look at Sonny's place yourself. Need some trees or maybe a couple of buildings for your N-Scale layout? No problem! Head on over to our N-Scale layout accessories section on Trainz.com and take a look!
- Manufacturer: Woodland Scenics
- Model Number: PF5203
- Scale/Era: N Scale
Fresh Squeeze on the Rails: Tropicana Reefer Delivers
Bachmann 17947 HO Tropicana TPIX 50' Steel Mechanical Reefer #742
And we’re here with my budget pick of the week, aka my favorite pick! That’s right, we’re saving money but not ditching the cool factor one bit. Looks like I’ve got tons of love for HO this week, though I think this HO Tropicana reefer from Bachmann might have caught my attention for another reason. I love juice. I really can't get enough. Orange, apple, passion fruit - you name it, I’m drinking it!
So what’s the perfect car for a juice lover? It’s gotta be the Tropicana reefer, right? I think so. But enough about my love of juice, and let’s get back to the showcase here. Bachmann kept things really simple with this one, with a white base and a green roof. The design concept was subtle, but the delivery was grand! If you want to haul something other than steel and lumber on your HO layouts, then I can’t think of a better substitute than some delicious orange juice!