Model train Christmas, or are you S.O.L

How many of you If you want Train presents in your stocking for the holiday will have to buy them yourself or be S.O.L? And How much will you spend on your own X-mass gift to scratch that itch? Enough of underware,socks and crazy ties and who the heck needs slippers? Bring me what I crave.....Model railroad stuff!!!!!!!!

 

S.O.L. that's ok though. It seems like whenever family members try to buy me trains I always get something that doesn't really fit my layout.

I'd rather get some tiny present that is a good fit, like some good chocolate or a bottle of Laphroig.

 

I went to Walthers' site, filled out the "wishlist", printed a copy for the wife, she thanked me and said "That was easy"
now I just have to wait to open them up!

 

Way to go Wheeler!!! I hope you circled the expensive stuff!!!!:tb-biggrin:

 

Geeky I like your thinking! A nice bottle of 21 year-old Dalwinney or even a Glenlivet will do nicely! Luckily I have a wife who picks up the subtle hints I leave, Like "Honey, this is the train I want, here is where you buy it, and if you order now it will be here by Christmas." You know...real subtle .
J

 

Not "Bah, humbug," but I don't expect or want trains for Christmas. I did until the time I was 12 years old. Plus I spend too much money and time with trains the rest of the year.

I'd rather spend Christmas seeing the rest of the family, especially the grandchildren enjoy their gifts. Even they, have trains of their own but expect other things for Christmas. A grandson, age 3, wants a football from me. Not a Nerf, but a "real" football, and I look forward to passing with him the one I bought.



Wassail!
Ben

 

Thats exactly what I did, a nice list with part numbers and prices and where to get them.
It makes it so much easier.

Cheers

Edward

 

I too, printed out the wish list. I also bought an SW 2 Proto Series 1000 Switcher, which when I got home, it was taken out of my hands and into the closet.

I'll never forget that Christmas three years ago. I opened up that brand new Athearn GP38-2. Ever since then, I been getting used!

This year, I put an extra message on the list. (must be new in box)

 

I gave a list as well. It's the only way. Last year, my instructions to my dad were that I wanted a steam engine and it should be HO. I got a bachman spectrum decapod It's a nice engine, but I have some 22" curves. I was hoping for something a bit smaller for excursion service.

And since it was a gift, I'm lothe to return it. AND, apparently the Bachmann mech binds somewhere, so it doesn't even work perfectly which means I can't just sell it if I want to.

 

I will buy for myself after Chistmas, The wife is out of the railroad buying loop since she no longer accompanies me to LHS or shows anymore so she no longer knows what I want or look at.I will make an order to my favorite E-tailer before the new year and right after Christmas when the shipping rush comes to a complete and sudden halt so the carrier won't throw & manhandle my package in the holiday rush madness. (attention UPS..I'm talking about you)

 

I bought my own stuff this year. All used classic SP stuff from epay. An SP tank car, dummy Atlas E7 in Bloody which is gonna make a good detail project, and a copy of SP Review 1977.
Thom

 

I'm SOL. I'm kind of a loner, so I don't have that many people to get gifts from! Those that are closest to me know I have other interests in addition to model railroading, so I usually get those types of gifts. In all actuality, I'm the guy that typically gets "regifted".

So, if I want anything, I have to get it myself.

NOW, if for some reason my lifestyle should change someday to that of one where I would have a great number of individuals giving me model railroad gifts, I would prefer a gift certificate mainly because my needs for the model railroad are too specific and it's usually "my time". (kind of like my old man and his woodworking; I never knew what to buy HIM)

Mostly however, I would love a book or DVD about railroading. I can never have enough of those.

Chuck

 

Ive given up getting trains for christmas. The last time I got any form of a model ralroad item of any sort was my first HO scale layout when I was 6 or 7 years old. I have a few reference books and a kit or two on my list but Im not getting my hopes up for any of those. Socks and underwear as usual, Yay! (yeah, right)

 

I used to ask for train Christmas presents. Even the things I got in the right scale, etc, I thought I could use generally, were not what would really be WONDERFUL for the layout. Some I have traded or sold off after leaving them unbuilt for years and years.

I remember asking my sister-in-law for a MicroTrains depressed center flatcar I could letter for Santa Fe's one-and-only FT-X #90000. I was puzzled when I opened my Christmas package, grateful to my sister-in-law, but a little miffed at the hobby dealer who in my opinion tricked her. He knew me and what I am modeling. He talked her into buying TWO models of a prootype for which only one existed.

This year, I asked Santa and my Houston in-laws for only one train-related Christmas present-- and one they are better equipped to find than I am... a good current map book of Houston so I can find my way around Houston's outlying communities for next year's San Jacinto Model Railroad Club home layout tour.

 

This is what happens, so it's a good idea to give a url to the website and the page of the exact item you want. That's what I did.

On my list was an Amtrak P42 DC, and an Amtrak Baggage car. Considering I shall get some cash, I will go out on the annual after Christmas romp to find some Superliners to complete the set.

 

Would your wife have a sister, per chance?

Welcome to TrainBoard, wheeler.

 

It's me and my 7 yr old daughter for Christmas, and for that I AM thankful. No one to really give any hints to. I will wrap up one of my Atlas Kodachrome engines so there is something from Santa under the tree for me, just to help reinforce the illusion.

 

My hobby store 2-blocks from my house just closed the door this summer so guess what I will be getting:tb-sad: