Early History of the LCCA Christmas Cars

The story of the annual LCCA Christmas cars starts in July 2014 during the LCCA Indianapolis convention.  It was at the convention that final agreement was reached on the joining of the Lionel Railroad Club (LRRC) to the LCCA.  Details such as maintenance of the membership listing, fees adjustments, and other details were concluded with the LCCA offering full membership to any LRRC member wishing to renew with either the EM or RM membership.

Of course the LCCA was aware of the success of the annual LRRC Christmas Car.  It was a year-end classic offered by the LRRC to its members during the holiday season.  With the two clubs becoming one, it seemed right for the LCCA to continue this holiday tradition.  However, it soon became clear that the LRRC had not started the process to create a 2014 car.  So in July, with only 3 months before it was necessary to start marketing a 2014 for year-end sales, there was no design nor plan for production.  Prior LRRC cars were made in China and with a 9—15-month lead time, China production was not a viable option. 

Remembering that Lionel was starting a US manufacturing effort in its North Carolina facility, work was begun to produce our car in the US.  The 2014 LCCA Christmas car Became one of the first items off the Lionel US production line.  The 2014 Car comes in one of the first custom LCCA box designs, modified with the US flag proudly on the box.  The American flag is also printed on both of the car doors.

Design options were offered by the staff at Lionel with the LCCA making suggested changes.  The production prototype was approved and it ended up, like most of our production samples, in the annual convention silent auction along with a certificate of authenticity.  With purchase limited to one car per member, the 350 2014 convention cars sold out rapidly.  And, all available cars were sold during the preorder period.

Because the printing process is digital, the cars can be printed with similar images or if desired cars in each print run can have different images.  This process allows for producing a car design with different road numbers or personalized info on each item.  The result is that it is now possible to quickly, easily and with minimum cost differential offer either the simple one color on a painted box car side or a multicolor panoramic high-quality image unique to a specific box car. 

Of course, the smaller quantities, somewhat higher US costs, the new equipment necessary for the printing process does cost a premium.  And given the scheduling difficulties of small runs means getting the right cars, the right paperwork (if applicable) and the correct labeling on each item.  This additional effort is offset with the side benefit of digital printing with its break-even quantities for the manufacturer which are often lower thus offering clubs like the LCCA the opportunity to purchase smaller quantities of cars.  This is a real benefit for everyone.

The LCCA 2015 Christmas car and all subsequent cars have been all been US made and come packed in a box clearly identifying the cars as a product of the US. The club continues to order cars in the 300-350 range and limits orders to one per member.

The 2016 Christmas Car – US made in the Lionel Facility in North Carolina - was a similar single door box car.  

The 2017 Christmas car again carried the US flag proudly on its door.  The very first production sample had a red that was not as expected and a second sample was made, this one with a much more festive red.

Early History of the LCCA Christmas Cars

The story of the annual LCCA Christmas cars starts in July 2014 during the LCCA Indianapolis convention.  It was at the convention that final agreement was reached on the joining of the Lionel Railroad Club (LRRC) to the LCCA.  Details such as maintenance of the membership listing, fees adjustments, and other details were concluded with the LCCA offering full membership to any LRRC member wishing to renew with either the EM or RM membership.

Of course the LCCA was aware of the success of the annual LRRC Christmas Car.  It was a year-end classic offered by the LRRC to its members during the holiday season.  With the two clubs becoming one, it seemed right for the LCCA to continue this holiday tradition.  However, it soon became clear that the LRRC had not started the process to create a 2014 car.  So in July, with only 3 months before it was necessary to start marketing a 2014 for year-end sales, there was no design nor plan for production.  Prior LRRC cars were made in China and with a 9—15-month lead time, China production was not a viable option. 

Remembering that Lionel was starting a US manufacturing effort in its North Carolina facility, work was begun to produce our car in the US.  The 2014 LCCA Christmas car Became one of the first items off the Lionel US production line.  The 2014 Car comes in one of the first custom LCCA box designs, modified with the US flag proudly on the box.  The American flag is also printed on both of the car doors.

Design options were offered by the staff at Lionel with the LCCA making suggested changes.  The production prototype was approved and it ended up, like most of our production samples, in the annual convention silent auction along with a certificate of authenticity.  With purchase limited to one car per member, the 350 2014 convention cars sold out rapidly.  And, all available cars were sold during the preorder period.

Because the printing process is digital, the cars can be printed with similar images or if desired cars in each print run can have different images.  This process allows for producing a car design with different road numbers or personalized info on each item.  The result is that it is now possible to quickly, easily and with minimum cost differential offer either the simple one color on a painted box car side or a multicolor panoramic high-quality image unique to a specific box car. 

Of course, the smaller quantities, somewhat higher US costs, the new equipment necessary for the printing process does cost a premium.  And given the scheduling difficulties of small runs means getting the right cars, the right paperwork (if applicable) and the correct labeling on each item.  This additional effort is offset with the side benefit of digital printing with its break-even quantities for the manufacturer which are often lower thus offering clubs like the LCCA the opportunity to purchase smaller quantities of cars.  This is a real benefit for everyone.

The LCCA 2015 Christmas car and all subsequent cars have been all been US made and come packed in a box clearly identifying the cars as a product of the US. The club continues to order cars in the 300-350 range and limits orders to one per member.

The 2016 Christmas Car – US made in the Lionel Facility in North Carolina - was a similar single door box car.  

The 2017 Christmas car again carried the US flag proudly on its door.  The very first production sample had a red that was not as expected and a second sample was made, this one with a much more festive red.