Name: Neal Mayer
Forum User Name: NealM
Railroad Name: Trains Under the Tree
Location: Boston, MA
Scale: Traditional O Gauge
Theme: Christmas trains
Description: My Dad’s childhood train from the ‘30s, a Lionel 259, became my childhood train in the ’60’s. During my kids’ childhood in the 90’s, It became the Christmas train. The kids are off on their own now but the 259 is still running around the tree, ready and waiting to delight the next generation.
Forum User Name: NealM
Railroad Name: Trains Under the Tree
Location: Boston, MA
Scale: Traditional O Gauge
Theme: Christmas trains
Description: My Dad’s childhood train from the ‘30s, a Lionel 259, became my childhood train in the ’60’s. During my kids’ childhood in the 90’s, It became the Christmas train. The kids are off on their own now but the 259 is still running around the tree, ready and waiting to delight the next generation.
One of my favorites, my grey one is still run often.
Great video of the Lionel 259E train from the 1930’s. This may not be the place to post this, but I have a 259E with freight cars in excellent running condition for sale. Check it out on Ebay.
Too short! The video was too short. Great photographic composition.
Thanks guys.
This little train has always put a smile on my face. It spent years in my Dad’s attic and only required a good cleaning to get it running again. My only regret is that when we dug it out of storage the Automatic Gateman accesory was missing. That thing that really amazed me when I was a kid.
I have been running a train under the Christmas tree for approx. 20 years. I run some of my first trains from the 1950’s to the first Polar Express set Lionel made. They are always a hit. This video proves that the old Lionel trains were built to last. I hope the newer trains last too but I also agree that the old Lionel and other brands lasted and many run today with minimal servicing. Trains under the tree make for a Merry Christmas for anyone of any age.
It’s amazing to see 80 year old technology still working with new gear. I’m wondering how well the trains of today are going to hold up.
Still have my dad’s 385E running around but integrate it with an MTH Blue Comet.
I agree – great short Video of an old GREAT Lionel Train. There is nothing fancy here but just down-to-earth small train set-up with some buildings and figures. Who needs the Engineer & Fireman constant jabbering, or sync chuffing sounds or billows & billows of fan-driven smoke..here’s the heritage to old electric trains & their good old-reliable workmanship!
Really great, captures the connection we all have of Christmas and trains!
Neat little video, and a neat little train! Thinks of the years and the history it’s seen!
Take good care of that little time traveler Neal, I suspect it’s journeys are far from over.
Cool!