Above: 12th in the Hallmark Lionel train ornament series, this locomotive, sleeper and observation car replicate the post World War II Freedom train – not to be confused with The American Freedom Train of 1976. The actual Freedom Train made a nation-wide tour of the U.S. over about 16 months beginning in 1947. It was the only trainset ever to operate in every state, and it did so using 52 different railroads. It was visited by more than three million people.
It carried to the public some of America's most precious documents and other unique treasures, including the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, one of the 13 original copies of the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, the Iwo Jima flag, the German and Japanese surrender documents that ended World War II, and much more.

This art deco-inspired design became known as the NYC "Lightning Stripe" design, and locomotive #2333 F3 was named the "Sharknose." The Hallmark set features miniatures of (left to right) the Lionel® locomotive, passenger car, and observation car. This is the 13th in this series.

The 14th in the same series: A big sized bright red 2-8-2 Mikado engine. Its two small rear wheels, eight drivers, and two small front wheels give it extra space for a large firebox and lots of power.
In front: Introduced in 1935, streamlined and elegant, the Lionel Red Comet locomotive and cars were designed at the height of the Art Deco era. This miniature set includes the sleek 2-4-2 Red Comet locomotive, tender, and matching 603 Pullman car.

Hallmark Lionel Series #15: Introduced in the early 1930s, streamlined trains revolutionized American railroading, and Lionel tapped into the excitement by quickly releasing scale models. This Keepsake Ornament replicates the No. 751W "O" Gauge Lionel Union Pacific Streamliner set, based on Union Pacific's M-10001 City of Portland train. The set's locomotive, No. 725W here in front of car No. 753, a long passenger coach and car No. 754, which served as a buffet car and passenger coach. The cars appear to emerge seamlessly from the locomotive, thanks to the articulated coupling. These miniature cars have magnets to get them "hooked" together.

No other Lionel train was more recognizable than the Scout. From the late '40s to the early '50s, the sturdy and affordable Scout set brought the fulfillment of Christmas hopes and dreams to living rooms everywhere. This set includes the Scout 1110 locomotive, tender, and 1002 Gondola car.

This is another Hallmark "ornament" - although it is rather too big and heavy to actually hang on a tree. It is about 6 inches high. When the button is pressed, the little train starts chugging into the tunnel and around the mountain with appropriate sounds. The skaters circle the large tree in the center and lights go on in the buildings. All this to the music of "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays." Behind it there are two pewter locomotive ornaments, one engraved with NORM and the other with the date of 2010. These also arrived either in my Christmas stocking or under the tree this year!