New Train Under the Tree

Here's a shot of one of my earlier train displays: [link] One of my most recently finished train projects. a 1959 American Flyer Franklin (21088). It needed alot of work, but it wasn't missing alot when i got it, just the front wheels and the bell. Somebody did a number on the body shell, they destroyed the screw holes. Not only they were all stripped, they were non existent, as in broken out of the shell :/ Not sure how somebody managed to pull that...Anyways I just drilled where the screw holes were, and tapped in new threads. This was my first time attempting this, so I practiced on a scrap piece of plastic before I did anything to the train. Now It has some nice, strong, and tight threads holding the body to the chassis

This year I decided to make this my Christmas train for the tree, since it's red and green. I added 2 dollhouse wreaths temporary. The one on the pilot is held on with some thin wire I twisted on, and the one on the tender is just loose ontop, and actually stays in place pretty well.
The gondola car had a few dollhouse Christmas trees, and presents, and toys I temporary taped in. The 1860s era cars in the pic are what would have came with this engine in a set in 1959. I had to buy the passenger cars separately, they didnt need any work luckily. Just dusted. cleaned and the wheels oiled.

I just got the American flyer station this month on eBay. I bought it thinking it was just a plain light up station, since that what the seller advertised it as...but its actually a talking station from the late 40s. early 50s! Not only it lights up, it has a record inside it with sounds, and the conductor saying "All Aboard!" with just the push of a button. It all works, but Its missing the needle/speaker unit for it, which i have yet to find separate.... For my display, I temporary taped a dollhouse wreath with the string inside the station, and taped a tree on the platform.
The bridge sections were made from a Gilbert Erector set also under the tree: [link]