Halloween trains

I think most of the stuff is terrific, I'm just not into it. That said, I do like seeing what folks come up with as far as displays go.

What's not to like?

For light, sounds, action, MTH has the most attention getting cars and matching diesel/caboose combinations. If you like micro mini LEDs they are hard to beat. The down side for some is that up until now only Rail King versions.

Lionel has more somewhat subdued/sinister visually, but they have better spooky sounds/dialog. Their engine paint schemes are IMO superior to MTH in a spooky vibe way and numerous levels to choose from now that Lionel has offered O scale high end options as well as Lion Chief.

METCA A-5 Halloween engine (Lionel Legacy) and box car took a different approach with a unique paint scheme that really stands out and flips the script using mostly orange with black highlights. Top notch.

Atlas is somewhat in the middle with a more contemporary feel paint scheme wise with more use of color as well as LED lights.

So you can appeal to younger children with a more fanciful approach, or go the grim route for adults. With three main sources of Halloween trains you can mix and match as your whimsy dictates. There is no prototypical orthodoxy to adhere to.

Plop Halloween into your permanent layout or go all in with a Halloween themed temporary layout.

The main problem is that Halloween disappears literally and figuratively on November 1. For some that is too much money and effort to go all in with Halloween.

As a side note while Dept 56 is an established structure source for Halloween, their approach is mostly if not totally static. If you really want to ramp up your Halloween Lemax Spooky Town is my go to source. Great structures, sounds, action, lights all sure to grab everyone's attention including the undead.

But to answer your question, they are OK I guess.

Take a look at my Halloween layout video from last year to get an idea of what I mean.

Hello,
If your post is directed to me, I took it as a question and was happy to explain why I believe that the Halloween stuff is great fun in any context as a temporary diversion on a permanent layout or the star attraction on a seasonal layout.

It is a great question especially appropriate this time of year.

The only problem is with Halloween itself as a relatively short run up,  and the a one day and done on October 31.  Then it is on to Thanksgiving.

Christmas on the other hand has a long run up and a hangover to at least until New Year's Day or Orthodox Christian Christmas celebrations to justify a greater effort and expenditure for some.

I don’t like Halloween trains, and won’t have any, because I don’t like Halloween. It’s a Satanic holiday that, as Christians, we don’t celebrate though we do give treats to trick or treaters who come to our door.

I hear you, Chuck, and respect your point of view. I answered as I did because trainman asked for our thoughts on Halloween offerings and I thought that simply saying I didn’t like them and would never have them wasn’t enough of an answer.

Well that escalated rather quickly!😂😂😂👹💀🎃

Not that I know of.