The WGR - Halloween Division

The Wolverine Garden Railway - Halloween Division

March 13, 2007

I have had the idea in my head that I would like to have a Halloween train for a couple of years now. Both Aristocraft and LGB has made several candy oriented locomotives or cars in the past several years. My main thought is that I could use the train to deliver candy to kids trick-or-treating. Our church for the past couple of falls, has hosted a "Trunk-or-Treat" the last Sunday afternoon in October.During the event members set up and decorate their vehicles in the parking lot.The kids then walk around the parking lot trick or treating and candy is handed out of the trunks of the vehicles. After the trick-or-treating the kids play games and then have a meal in the fellowship hall. I had the idea that I could set up the Halloween train on the stage in the fellowship hall to deliver my store of candy.

So for my birthday this year, my wife and kids got me the LGB Peanuts Great Pumpkin gondola. I will look at slowing acquiring additional cars and a locomotive to make up the train

June 18, 2007

Today I ordered the second car with an order for a few of switches after the announced track price increase from Aristocraft. I wanted to place the order before the prices went up. And Ridge Road Station had the Sugar Daddy Box car for a good price.

August 21, 2007

Today I bought an LGB Dots caboose on ebay.

September 10, 2007

Today I was able to locate and order an LGB Tootsie Pops box car.

September 14, 2007

Today I was able to locate and order an LGB Tootsie Roll tank car.

October 7, 2007

I purchased a box of 6.5' diameter Aristocraft stainless steel track to use at Trunk-or-Treat this year. I will also use some of the 4.5' stainless steel straight sections to set up the temporary layout at church.

October 11, 2007

Through the Aristocraft forums I was able to obtain a Hershey RS-3 to pull the train for Trunk-or-Treat this year. Thanks Derrill!

December 25, 2007

I received 3 Hershey refridgerator cars for Christmas from family. I've now have the York Peppermint Patty, Milk Duds, and Reece's Peanut Butter Cups cars on the roster.

March 13, 2008

I received 4 more Hershey cars for my birthday from family. I've now have the Krackel box car, Hershey's Syrup, Hershey's covered hopper, and Hershey's gondola on the roster. This will probably complete the Halloween train, a.k.a Tooth Rotter Special, since Aristocraft no longer has the license to produce Hershey's cars.

May 4, 2009

An unplanned addition was made to the WGR Halloween roster today. I picked up a Lil' Critter set in the Hershey roadname at a consignment shop. The power pack was missing, but everything else was there. The set includes a Lil' Critter diesel engine, 20' gondola car, and a bobber caboose. The gondola and bobber caboose have metal wheels. Eventually I will look at adding lights to the caboose, like I have with my other two bobber cabooses. I will look at setting up two loops of track for both Hershey trains at Trunk-or-Treat this year. I'll now have to look at finding the brown 20' gondola and 20' tank car to expand the train.