This is an interesting question, and I'm glad to see it asked. I've looked at the Signalman/Boxcar, and specifically the one with Santa Claus, but when I read on the MTH website and read that it had to be on the operating track to work a cycle, I stayed away from it. I would rather have Santa hanging outside the door the entire way around the layout. So if there was a way to make it run continuously on purpose (it looks like Balto's boxcar has a life of its own), that would be great.
-Kevin