lionel christmas train setEvery year we know that the holidays have arrived in full force, when we start to see the classic movie, A Christmas Story, being shown on assorted television stations. This movie has been delighting fans – both young and old – for decades now. When I found out about the Lionel Christmas Train Set based on A Christmas Story, I couldn’t resist finding out a bit more and reviewing it. I’ve always been a train buff and big fan of the movie, so I just had to do some research and write this Lionel Christmas Train Set review for you.

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Basic Train Set – Lionel Christmas Train Set

As you probably know, Lionel makes some serious train sets. Some hobbyists spend thousands of dollars to set up the most elaborate sets made by Lionel. This Christmas Story set is not one of the deluxe sets. It won’t set you back a lot of cash, and is ultimately designed for younger kids to have a bit of fun, inspired by the movie. It’s relatively easy to set up, though kids younger than 6 or 7 will need some help from a patient grown-up.

Fun Details – Lionel Christmas Train Set

There are some cute little details built into this Christmas Story Train Set. I especially like the box car that has the legendary “Major Award” inside. And since the award is removable, it makes for a fun little detail on this Lionel Christmas Train Set.

Product Details

  • Recommended for kids ages 4 and up
  • Has a fun boxcar with a removable “Major Award” that references that famous story line from the movie
  • Simple to operate and moves forward and reverse
  • Kids can even sound the whistle and ring the bell
  • Runs on a 9.6 volt battery or 6 C batteries, sold separately
  • Relatively easy to set up
  • Makes a great first train set for kids
  • Dimensions: Length: 55.0 “; Width: 72.0 “

Buy  Lionel Christmas Train Set

The Good & the Bad

As much as I like trains, and A Christmas Story, I had to make sure that I gave you an honest appraisal of the good and the bad of the Lionel Christmas Train Set. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros

  • The bells and whistles are great fun for kids and adults
  • Easy to control for younger kids
  • Cute details from the classic holiday movie
  • Comes with a durable box that makes it easy to pack up after the holidays are over

Cons

  • Assembly can be frustrating for younger kids
  • Batteries run out of juice quickly, even when you buy the rechargeable batteries

Customer reviews have been split down the middle on this train set. Some folks have said that they love it, while a few others have reported not really caring for it. I do have to say that this is a basic, starter train set. As such, it’s not going to dazzle hardened train hobbyists, but it is sure to be a big hit with younger kids and serious fans of the movie.

Buy  Lionel Christmas Train Set

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