KJ,
I do think the add on Cars would be a big hit and sell well for Hallmark/Lionel, in fact done with the right advertising, having this train on display, with some add on cars in the Hallmark stores again next year, could make them some serious Christmas money. I have already made a few of my own Christmas add on Cars, and I also believe the added weight behind the engine makes the train operate better.
As you see below I added the 3559 Candy Cane Dump Car & the Santa Coke Car, along with 2 other Lionel Christmas Box Cars, to make a larger Santa Express Consist, would love to add a couple Hallmark/Lionel Highly colored Cars also, especially if they were operating cars. A new Candy Cane Dump Car would be way cool, and maybe another Gondola with Santa's most famous Rain Deer & his Sleigh. So far for the money expended on this little Hallmark/Lionel Santa Toy Maker Express, has been nothing but great, especially for the kids! The little remote control is easy to use and the kids love playing & controlling the train. Make no mistake about it, the high grade Christmas Colors on this Santa Express the kids really love, big time. Hallmark missed the advertising boat on this baby, if their stores would have had this train set up in a circle in all their hallmark stores, for the kids to see and actually play with, the sales would have been just incredible at the Hallmark Stores, this Christmas season. The trains would have sold out in every store, and orders would have been placed by parents, who could not get them for next year. As a childs remote control Christmas toy, this Train is Top Shelf. If I was advising the Hallmark & Lionel business's I would advise them to expand on their great idea, it could be a real money maker, at Christmas time for both companies.
PCRR/Dave
