Scratch & Bash
:
Engines / Rolling Stock
Making Your Christmas Cars Better
Dec 13, 2006
By Jo Anne DeKeles
LSOL.com Customer Service Manager |
Author
Bio
Each year I see rolling stock for sale that has had extra decorations added on them. Sometimes the prices are $10 and $20 higher than the regular cost of the car. I wonder what it takes to make these cars even more cheerful? Guess what? It only takes about $3.00. Let me show you what I mean.
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At Christmas I always fall for the rolling stock and buildings that are painted for Christmas. I have a full set of the Aristo-Craft buildings that are painted red, green and white. I also have several box cars and tank cars in holiday colors. I also have a few steam and diesel engines in some cheerful colors as well. Each year I see rolling stock for sale that has had extra decorations added on them. Sometimes the prices are $10 and $20 higher than the regular cost of the car. I wonder what it takes to make these cars even more cheerful? Guess what? It only takes about $3.00. Let me show you what I mean. 
I went to the "Dollar Store" and found some great Christmas decorations in the right size. The best thing about the dollar store is every thing is "One Dollar." I bought enough items to do two cars and spent about $6.00. I found some small wrapped boxes, some drums, as well as some plastic ornaments that would work just great. One of the ornaments even had a sound chip in it that played Slinet Night. The first thing I wanted to do was to raise the base of the car so that it would not take as many items to fill it up. I found some foam core and cut it so that it would fit in the gondola. 
I then cut four pieces of foam core that would support the table top piece and placed them on each side of the car.   
I just attached them with some two sided tape so that I could easily remove them later. Next I took the top piece and wrapped it with some Christmas paper. 
I was not too worried what the bottom was going to look like as no one was going to see it. (Come to think of it several thousand people are looking at it right now.) 
 I made sure that I wrapped the foam core tight. This way when I added things to the top I would not have the problem of them tipping over.  I did not need to use any glue or tape to hold the top in place. The top was cut with a tight clearance so that it pressed right into the car and rested on top of the braces. 
The next part was the most fun. Open up all the items you have purchased and start placing them on the top that you have wrapped with paper. I used some small pieces of tape to hold the pieces in place. If you are looking at making this a permanent display I would suggest you use a glue gun. Check out some of the options below, and have a great Christmas.    Top of Page
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