There is something truly magical about having a train under the tree. I finally mounted my track permanently so I could run the Polar Express train gifted to me by a friend. It hadn't been running since 2016---but made a stationary appearances in the years sine that time. I was determined that it would be out for 2021. Don't know why but it only ran well with the main ca and the coal car---and you know I was okay with that a long as I had a moving train! Alas the light died---it's a project for this year.

I've been trying to attach a photo without success so here's the link https://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@ ... 2/sizes/l/

Wow, that's a terrific under-the-tree display, reminiscent of the elaborate little Christmas "gardens" my grandfather used to assemble on a small table under a four-foot tree when I was a kid. Lots of small cardboard houses, lead figures, and small penny toys from Germany. He had a Flyer set, but never included that in his display. Dyed sawdust for grass...man, that brings back a lot of memories.

I visited the Eastern Division's meet at York this past Friday. The only thing on the look-for list was a Lionel 2620 searchlight car for a friend in Missouri. I was lucky and found a couple nice, reasonably-priced examples.

When shopping at York, there are two strategies of buying. One is that when you see what you're looking for at a price and in a condition that meets your expectations, best snap it up as it might not be there when you come back later. However, this runs the risk of finding another one in nicer condition and/or at a better price just a few aisles away. I tend to lean toward the first, which is what I did this time around, and as sometimes happens, I found a nicer one when I went to the next building.

So here they are, two 2620 searchlight cars:



The one in the foreground is the earlier version, 1938-39, with "ridged" box-couplers and an aluminum-painted light. The one behind it is the 1940 version with the "simulated knuckle and lift pin" box couplers and light gray painted searchlight housing. A bit of surface rust on the earlier version, but I'm suspicious that the 1940 version has had a bit of refurbishment. No matter, the 1940 version heads to Missouri and the earlier version stays here to fill a hole in the roster.

Also found a few O-gauge hollow-cast railroad figures (vintage and manufacturer unknown), along with an inexpensive postwar Lionel tender (6066T).

A fun day, for sure.

If I set up my trains again this year, I may have to add a refigured flat car. They are among my favorites.

If you set them up, post a few pics. I could use the inspiration!

love these searchlights!