Ahh, another sign of a healthy relationship between Lionel and Hallmark.

Nice set. I especially like the image of Santa. About the track and transformer, it looks like it comes with it. It says complete and ready to run. 

Bill

Will it be LionChief?

Nice looking set! 

Wow, great looking.  I love the metallic finish.  Very classy.  I am a sucker for Christmas themed trains.  Especially ones that look this good.  I will be getting this.  Now just to figure out the best time to buy it.  Hopefully around Black Friday there will be some kind of coupon where this is not excluded.

Thanks for giving us the head's up so we can watch the prices on this.

Towdog,

   I think it's quite possible there may be none left to buy by the day after Thanksgiving.

They go on sale Nov 6, and if production is limited as the rest of Hallmark special items, this my sell out right away, even at the $399.

I don't know about the prices, but I do know there will be limited quantities. I would get one early if you really want one.

What a great marketing effort.  I couldn't think of a better retailer to sell trains at Christmas time.  Our local Hallmark is non- stop busy starting early in the season.  Sounds like a winner to me.

Ed

I like the idea but I probably won't buy one.  Good for the hobby though, I agree.

Im for it and I hope it drives customers into local Hobby/Train stores to expand. 

Now what would get those customers in? Free track maybe? :-)

It will be interesting to see how this works out for them. Most of their clientele are female. It will be just as interesting to see of the success of the ornament line translated to sales of train sets. I hope so as this is very good for our hobby.

That description would also fit a starter set 0-8-0 with Trainsounds. With no mention of track and transformer, including a remote would only have people scratching their heads.

Pete

ogaugeguy,

    Thanks for posting, I just might have to pick this Lionel RTR Christmas Train set up, it looks pretty nice!

PCRR/Dave

For the sake of the folks buying this set I hope it comes with all the bells and whistles.

Palallin you must have a different link than the one posted above. I don't see mention of a layout.

Pete

Like others, I think this set needs to have LionChief, I might pick one up if so.   Nice set!

I would also think "Comlplete, ready to run" infers track and control of some kind. I would be surprised if this is not Lionchief.

It's right there in the description:

Length: approx 47" long/Layout: 40" x 60"

Rusty

Not sure where the OP got the description from but its not on the Hallmark website.

This is what is on their website:

• PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

  • Make tracks to holiday magic. All holly, jolly trains lovers will want to have this real train set under your tree for a nostalgic bit of holiday decor. 

    • Complete, ready-to-run electric train set.
    • Die-cast metal.
    • Features images from the beloved Toymaker Santa series.
    • Features iconic train sounds, movement and Santa's voice.
    • Collaboration between Hallmark Master Artist Ken Crow and LIONEL® trains.
    • Complete set approx. 47" long.
  • LIONEL ® Licensed by LIONEL LLC.

Info was taken from Collector Club Members Dreambook (below, a special Dreambook only available to Hallmark Collerctors Club members. Set will be available to them Oct. 23rd.)

Interesting in that the caboose appears to be a high end NE style as opposed to the typical starter set SP type or center cupola version.

This is very close to what I heard a couple months ago from someone very close to the project.

Unless the word "Hallmark" is on the train somewhere, the avid collector may bypass purchasing the set.  I base my opinion on my wife's collecting habits which is displayed 24/7/52 on three Christmas trees in our house.  Not to mention numerous plastic bins filled with ornament boxes.  She will not buy any ornament unless it is marked "Hallmark"

One of the trees is decorated solely with the Lionel Hallmark ornaments (every item offered since day one).

$399 seems high for a starter set. I don't see the reason to buy it IMO. Unless it says Hallmark and I don't see it on the train then why buy it. 

The boiler front on the loco will carry the Hallmark Gold Crown emblem.

Hallmark will also show up in location on the cars.  I haven't been able to ascertain that yet.

I have it on good authority that this set will include LionChief control.

There is a Hallmark crown logo pictured on the caboose. Of course, final decoration is subject to change.

enjoy your trains...

...and on the side of the loco.

Jeff Davis

Do you collect Hallmark Christmas ornaments?  Are you a non-hobbyist who doesn't have a local hobby shop but think one of your kids/grandkids might like a train for a Christmas present?  I'll make an educated guess that almost all frequent Hallmark shoppers are most likely non-train folks, and this is who this set is aimed towards (aside from Lionel collectors who might speculate that this set will be worth picking up for future appreciation in value, or Lionel Christmas train lovers).  Ever been in a Hallmark shop?  Cards selling for over $6, knick-knacks a-go-go with high price tags, Christmas ornaments made of plastic selling for over $20 because they say Hallmark on them - the mark-up on most items in a Hallmark store are in all probability a lot higher than hobby shop owners are likely to achieve on most hobby items.  I personally wouldn't pay that much for a set, either, but I'm also not who they're figuring will buy that set....

Yes I have bought all the Lionel Hallmark ornaments. Also I don't buy trains to make money and anybody who does are losing their marbles. There is so many other things to invest in that actually makes money. 

This Hallmark train set is too expensive, too ugly, and just not worth my time to look at it. I wish Hallmark all the luck in the world selling them. But if your buying them to sell later at a higher price, it is a suckers bet. Now if your buying them for your kids or grand kids then by all means buy it, run it and enjoy. 

I may be in the minority here, but I kind of like this set.  If it has LC or LC+ would probably make the effort to buy it.   

I also like it. It is Lion Chief, per Allan's post above. I think it's a good looking set. The colors and decorations are really nice, very well done, IMO. This could possibly be my entry into the world of Lion Chief. That is if there are any left after they go on sale.

Half price after Christmas.

Toymaker Santa is the name of an ornament series produced by Hallmark. The theme is Santa playing with a toy. This year's ornament is number 16. It is a pretty popular series. The Santa figure in the graphics depicts the Toymaker Santa figure.

Obviously both Lionel and Hallmark think this will work.  I'm split on my thoughts.

True, Hallmark Ornaments have a huge following (guilty for everything Lionel, Star Wars, and the occasional others sometimes ).  But there has never (to the best of my knowledge) been an offering (or even a series for a given year, lets say all Star Wars, all Lionel, all Disney, all Barbie offerings, etc) that approaches this price point. 

I recall some sort of tree topper that had some effects that maybe sold for $100, 1/4 of this item.  I don't think a ton of those sold, but I'm also not sure they were still around for the 1/2 off sales after Christmas.  I suspect not a terribly huge amount were produced.

They seem to be covering the bases.  Limited to only 2 per Gold Crown store so in case it is a flop, there are not tons of them to try to dump after Christmas.  The announcement that it will be offered again in 2016 (presumably in identical form) also adds wiggle room here(no need to blow it out at all if you can try again next year at full price, unless the $400 sitting on the shelf is going to break the store). 

While no store would obviously want to store too many of these, if a store here or there needs to sit on one (or at worst 2) for a year, it doesn't take up huge shelf space in the back room to do so.

My prediction is this will vary in success regionally.  If you are in a major metropolitan area with many Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, I suspect you will be able to purchase one if you want.  I really, really, doubt these will end up on the 1/2 off table after Christmas, at least certainly not this year.

-Dave

I like it...a lot.  If I did not already have to many Christmas items, I'd be in for one of these.  Red trains are my weakness in this hobby.

Not a huge fan of Christmas themed sets though depends on the set. However, this is a nice looking set I love the metallic finish and the cars look great too.

Christmas bulb red! What a cool color for a toy train 

It would cool next to my double headed chrome Generals

I agree about the sell out. I don't think it will take long either. I live in a metro area of about 2.5 million people. It happens to be the metro area where Hallmark's headquarters are located. We have a total of 20 Gold Crown stores, that's 40 sets for 2.5 million people. There are also many very affluent areas here and $400 would be pocket change to those folks. I think the odds are extremely good that they won't last long around here, probably not past the first day they are offered. Unfortunately, $400 is a lot for me and I already have some things on order, I will have to see if it will fit in my train budget. If I can even get one.

Buy 10. Later on, sell them to fund your retirement.

Allan, thanks for the tip on LionChief for the set.   That makes it a winner for me.  -Ken

Thanks for the post Keith, this gives us a really good look at this train set.

Wonder if they have an 'Easy Pay' plan?

Hallmark and Lionel are a good mix and is a win win for the local Hobby stores. Some narrow minded business people would think this would drive sales away from their stores but Hallmark is not going to sell accessories. The profits are made when the customer buys accessories and track. We are already planning some joint promotions with our local Hallmark Stores. We will give the Hallmark Stores a coupon that will drive them to our store for additional items. In all the years of selling trains our profits on starter sets has been very low so we hope the customer will come back for the items needed to build their Christmas garden or Railroad Empire.

Thanks

Pat

PATRICK'S TRAINS

142 29TH STREET

WHEELING WV 26003

304-232-0714

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

E-MAIL PATSTRAINS@AOL.COM

Just a head's up for those who want one.  They are available for pre-order now.  Jump on it now if you want one.

http://shop.hallmark.com/ornam...in-set-1QHG5297.html

As far as in store availability, it's being marketed as a limited edition LionChief set with just two being made available per Hallmark Gold Crown stores (Gold Crown stores currently number 2,250).Will be dated 2015 with the Gold Crown insignia. With Hallmark collectors being an even more aggressive group than train collectors, I predict these will sell long before Christmas. Wonder what Santa's voice clips will be and how many there are.

Hopefully someone from Lionel will have these answers at York. Wonder whether they might even have the set there.  

If they are all snapped up by collectors as some are predicting then this effort will be a complete failure as a tool to introduce the hobby to newcomers.  If one is a collector of Hallmark ornaments it usually means they are really into Christmas and most likely already have a train set under the tree.  I doubt one more offering is going to get them to get into the hobby.

--Greg

Now THAT'S a great idea!

--Greg

I sort of doubt it.

I suspect the popularity may be regional.  When I was in one of my local Gold Crown stores the day they had ornament Premiere in July, some of the workers were discussing having 3 customers who wanted the set and trying to get another from another store.  In my part of PA that's not necessarily hard, as many of the Hallmark store owners have many locations (one has something like 20 stores, I believe).

The fact they are available on the website at all makes me believe the allocation was not scarfed up at a national level.

If any do remain, it will probably be either a web site discount, or maybe we would see them later on (April 2016 comes to mind) if Hallmark sells the whole batch of unsold units to a train dealer.

I'd probably suggest this may be comparable to the Disney Christmas sets (or even the boxcars) that have been offered on-line over the years.  A bit of a hit and miss.

Anybody want some Macy's Thanksgiving cars?  (oops, sorry, I thought for a minute I went back in time to 2006 )

All IMO.

They also didn't heavily advertise this set, so it's not like the masses will be knocking down Hallmark's doors to try to get one.  You basically are either a Hallmark fan or a Lionel fan already if you even know of the set's existence.  There may be a few people who randomly find it for the first time on the Hallmark website, but it's a minority of the people looking at it, I'm pretty sure.

-Dave

Speaking of Hallmark. stopped by on the way home to get some b-day cards. Saw this year's (old news to some I'm sure) Lionel ornament offerings. Chessie diesel loco, a Seaboard box car and a WM caboose.

Two Sets per store adds up to a lot of sets produced. they are also taking internet orders for it.  If you buy it do so because you like the set.  I might buy it, I like the looks of it, they do not mention what trucks the rolling stock will have... 

It should have had a diesel engine. Kids don't know what a steam engine is. $400. a little high. So if it has a problem, you take it back to your Hallmark store and what do they do? Another bomb.

You would think that at 2 per store should result in a sell out at least at the store level. With over 4,000 sets available I would not consider this a limited edition.

   Bill T.

My Nephew is 4 and LOVES "Steamy Trains" the best.

Thomas is a steam engine.

Kids love steam, too.  At least all the ones I know.

What do  they do, Eddie G., is fully refund the amount the customer paid for it. Unless, you're a regular customer, try getting your money back without a restocking fee for whatever reason you return an opened and run rtr train set to a local or internet train dealer. Good luck with that!!

And if it is faulty, you send it to Lionel who will repair it under warranty since Hallmark Gold Crown stores will be considered authorized resellers for this set which is made for and sold exclusively by HGC retail stores.

Oh, I don't know...  

Female-dominant market....QVC mindsets...limited edition...early disclosure in a "Dream Book" left lying around for kids to see....????

I see potential for some, as Martin puts it, 'Sturm und Drang' at the ol' Hallmark stores come November 6.... 

Followed by a few interesting ebay auctions.....rising to nose-bleed levels of bidding as the holiday(s) near and the offerings dry up....(remember first year's Polar Express set release???)

Coupled with frenzied calls/drives to ever-widening geographic circles of Hallmark Gold Crown establishments...

Complemented/puntuated with trips to the pharmacy and supermarket for...

and....

etc., etc., etc.....

It's the holidays, Bubba!  Shop-'til-ya-drop!  Be not outdone!   Seek, and ye shall find!  Must.....not.....let....(fill in the blank)....down!!!!  Etc., etc., blah, blah....

It's the female shopping modus operandi. 

Remember?

Very clever, Hallmark.    Verrrrrry clever! 

BTW....If you don't snag the original set this year, what'll you do with the subsequent add-on cars/accessories/etc. Hallmark will release every year thereafter to complement your 2015 ....'investment'??  Hmmmmm???

Just some added points to what you've said -- as for female-dominant, if you check the memberships for both national and international Hallmark Collectors Clubs, you'll likely be surprised with the ratio of female to male members. You'll see a respectably substantial number of male members in all clubs and with a much broader range of ages than for O gauge enthusiasts who are primarily male and in their middle fifties and older.

As for your point regarding Hallmark making add-on cars available in subsequent years, for me a more intriguing thought about offering additional cars in future years is that Lionel includes a puny 35 watt, 2 amp wallwart with their rtr LionChief starter sets -- a minimal power source woefully incapable of pulling many additional cars. And while many O gaugers might not care since they're likely to run such sets on layouts with a bigger power source anyway, Hallmark collectors won't have such an advantageous luxury, so what will be the fallout in future years when customers purchase additional cars and discover the set no longer works because it's now under-powered by that small 35 watt, 2 amp power source Lionel included with their set? I doubt they'll be as complacent and nonchalant about it as O gaugers generally would be! A most interesting can of worms for Hallmark's entry into the world of Lionel O gauge trains!!!

If this thing is a home run, I would suspect it might be more likely to find a new full set offered in future years, not just add on cars.  That solves that problem!

I'm curious about your other comment regarding continuous series.  I noticed Frosty Friends states it's #36 in the series this year.  Was there a known gap?

-Dave

Thanks, Dave, for calling to my attention the error in my earlier post. It should have said, and has been revised to read, "...ranks among the longest..."I also have include a brief blurb**

about the history of this series.

As what will happen if it is a home, and additional sets are produced in future years, hopefully Lionel will indeed improve the set. (Remember the very first Polar Express conventional rtr set loco, series 1, had a small motor which proved incapable of pulling additional cars so the series 2 loco with a much larger and powerful motor was in subsequent rtr sets. However, unlike the conventional PE sets where a loco with the smaller motor has no more collectible value than a series 2 loco with the larger motor -- the 2015 Hallmark set, being dated, will always hold a premium over subsequent sets if they're ever produced. 

I think about 7 or so years ago, Lionel released an It's a Wonderful Life set exclusively sold at Land's End.  It came with a certificate of authenticity that listed what number of the run the set was.  I think there were only a thousand made.   But they were marked down to $99 even before Christmas.  I don't know the specifics of how this all went down, but I ended up getting one for $99.

But I don't think that sort of thing is going to happen here because Hallmark receives so much more exposure than Land's End.  I think this will sell out with no problem between the train collectors like all of us and the non-train Hallmark buyers.  And don't forget, a lot of trains are bought around Christmas by women wanting to recreate the Christmas train experience for their children that they remember from their childhood.

I did find it on the Hallmark website by searching on "Toymaker Santa".  There's a short video posted showing the train on the 40x60 loop.  Minimal coverage but at least you can see what it looks like running.  Whoa, I turned up the volume to listen to the sounds. They would drive me NUTS after two loops around the track.

FYI, On April 30th, Hallmark's Digital Dream Book revealed this set will be reissued in 2016.

Our local store had a small flyer with this set advertised with the release date of November 6.

The flyer has since been taken down and when I asked recently in store they said they were pre-sold out with an extensive wait list and will not be able to get enough sets to meet demand.

Seems like it will be popular.

Price seems a bit high for what you get when you can get a LionChief Frosty the snow man set for $249 from leading OGR forum sponsor Lionel shops with same # of cars and same engine. You can add the Frosty animated gondola car for $51 and even more cars animated box car and a box car.

Other Lionel Christmas sets similarly much less cost then the Hallmark set.

I think the Hallmark set is very attractive nice colors but rather steep price when you can get something similar from Lion from regular train shops.

The problem with these sorts of things is that there is an additional profit margin built in. Lionel takes its share, but Hallmark also has their own markup, and there's also the profit that the individual store makes. So these items will usually be "overpriced" compared to regular production items. Special production planning and arrangements, separate product management and distribution, special packaging, lower production numbers, etc. also may be factors in driving up the prices on these kinds of items.

Of course, all Hallmark items are seriously overpriced; this is just another one of them.

Figured they would go fast, but thought they might at least make it to the stores before selling out. Sounds like they didn't make it. If the wait list is that long they may be sold out for next year as well.

As for price, I don't know about the Frosty set, but the Hallmark set has a die-cast engine.

As luck would have it, I had a hundred o scale elves made from a custom designed plastic injection mold for my Christmas layout this year.  I got a couple of hundred extra if anyone is interested.  I plan to sell them on ebay but will give first crack to O gauge forum members.  Here is the almost final version the graphic designer and I came up with.  The 3d mold should like similar to this but I want the yellow belt buckle changed and also want the belt to be brown all the way around.  Height should be around 1 to 1.125" but not to exceed 1.25".  I had 3 separate elves made, one with yellow hair, one with brown hair, one with black hair.  If there is any interest, I could also probably switch the red outfit for a green outfit. 

I know other threads have complained about the lack of o scale elves.  I know MTH sells one in a kit of 4 or 5 other items and scenic express has one (but it is sold out and I think this elf is a little more "Santa-ish").  It is nice to see an elf incorporated into a Christmas set such as this.  I wonder if they are fixed to the gondola or if they can move  around.

My custom made elves should be here by the end of October, if anyone is interested please feel free to email me for details.  The prices will be $4 each and below based on quantity. 

Well, the word is out, and Hallmark is promoting this train on Facebook.  There is a short video that does not show much, but it leads to their online store. http://shop.hallmark.com/ornam...K_HL_KP_lionel_text2

There is also a link to a short video of Ken Crow, who designed the train set's graphics.  I can't remember the last time I saw a grown man so enthusiastic about a train, but he is genuine in his interest. http://link.brightcove.com/ser...?bctid=4524788826001

In closing, the video answers my main question on the color.  It is a metallic red, like some of the Hot Wheels cars I got when I was younger.  I have requested one of the two that my local store is getting.  I may purchase it after all.

Chrome finish red paint makes sense with the move to Nascar products.  Chrome finish chase cars for Nascar are common.........  kind of an oxymoron with common chase car finishes, but what the heck,  it's true........

Mark

Is this set displayed, or mentioned at York?    

Has anyone asked about Lionel about it?

Wondering if it has the same Santa dialogue and sounds that other Lionel Christmas sets include, or is this Santa soundset made just for this set?

Checked in with my Hallmark store and I'm #1 on list to get this set. Definitely looking forward to it. Just hope it's not a dud or a bust when I finally get it. Do wish the stores would have one running, (but not mine!), so I could hear all the Santa announcements before buying it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Hey All

I ordered one of these sets from WWW.Hallmark.com and they offered Free shipping.

http://shop.hallmark.com/ornam...el%20santa%20express

Here is a Video of the Artist who designed the set.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKSmoQ53QtY

Here is Hallmarks' Promo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SevN-fXMRUg

Since I am only interested in prototypical models, the description of this set as a "created collectible" makes me shudder, and I had no interest in Hallmark, except greeting cards, UNTIL I recently discovered close to O scale ornaments depicting pre-WWII pickup trucks.  THAT got my attention and is a series I hope continues, as Matchbox's has not.

I just like this set and do not see it as a collectible. I am sure Hallmark made several thousand of these.

BTW folks, this set has begun arriving at Hallmark retailers. My store got their allotment yesterday and I hope to see it up close either today or tomorrow and post my initial impressions. Would be great if they let me take it home before next Saturday, but likely Hallmark won't allow that. I'll soon find out. Cheers and fa-la-la-la-la

Looking forward to seeing LOTS of pictures posted here when you finally do get it.

Hi All. I saw everyone's posts about the limited quantities various retailers are getting. Wanted to let you know a local Northeast based gift/retail chain will be having it as well. In select stores (limited quantities) and online at:

https://www.thepaperstore.com/...hallmark/38881200005 

Just thought I would pass it along. 

already a few sets have shown up on the e*** auction site.

if anyone is looking for some nice o scale elves to go with this set, I had a custom designed elf produced and  have extras available.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...stmas-elves-are-here

Has anyone purchased this set yet?

I won't have an opportunity to get mine from a Hallmark Wish List untill next weekend and considering the following comment/review just posted on a Hallmark Collectors website I am now wondering whether I should

Can't vouch for the validity of these comments the person posted so that's why I'm asking for additional comments, opinions, reviews, photos, or videos from anyone who's gotten theirs already. Thanks.

Here is that review posted by a N.H. Hallmark collector:

"Really disappointing, the packaging for a 400 item is the worst I have ever seen. I have two other Lionel trains and this is the least detailed but the most expensive I have ever paid. I think I would rather spend 100 less at the train store for a more detailed Frosty or Snoopy train.
Absolutely no similarities to the Toymaker Santa ornaments, none of the toys that have been featured in the series are even painted on the train.

Not sure why it is called Toymaker Santa. It looks like a generic Santa train that Lionel could have created themselves. 

I was just so excited about this product and I saved for it and I would much rather have my $400 back.

Someone please point something out about this train to make me like it."

Be interested in seeing some photos of the actual set.  Note in the original artwork the set clearly is shown with a scale NE style caboose, but the finished set photo shows the less expensive Lionel center cupola (SP size) caboose.

I don't put a lot of faith in online reviews. Especially not just one single review. Everyone is different, some have problems with things that I think are great, and it also works the opposite way as well. Personally, I would wait and see for myself. I can't imagine this set being that bad?

I picked up my Hallmark set today and gave it a test run on my not so permanent layout.  So far, the train runs well right out of the box.

Having metal trucks, it feels more substantial then the Peanuts Christmas set that I also own.  I was happy to see that each car is painted metallic red, and not just molded red plastic.  The speech is clear, but it tends to repeat the same 'Santa' dialogue over with each button press.  It should look good under the tree.

Looking good!  Mine is supposed to be here Friday.  I can't wait!

Nice looking Christmas train set.