 EZ-Tech "G" Christmas Cars
 This is an addendum to our artlcle EZ-Tech 'G' Christmas Trains." Our intention is to provide train lovers with holiday-themed choices that won't break the bank or risk expensive equipment.
Please refer to our article "Battery-Powered Christmas Trains" for hints about building roadbed, etc. for temporary outdoor use.
EZ-Tech is a toy company that has made quality toy "G gauge" trains since they were popularized by LGB fifty years ago. Their Christmas trains wouldn't fool most hobbyist into thinking they were scale, but they have details that delight visitors.
This article discusses some of the cars you may see in EZ-Tech sets. As the EZ-Tech 'G' Christmas Trains" article points out, EZ-Tech changes line-ups every year, so the trains you see in the department or hardware stores this holiday season may contain any subset of these cars, or different cars we haven't profiled yet. (To see a quick sample, click on the title photo.)
Using EZ-Tech Cars With Other Train Brands - Though they run on 45mm (G gauge) track, these cars' couplers sit at a different height than those of most other G gauge trains. Plus they're not as deep as the LGB hook couplers they resemble, so just adjusting coupler height may not be enough.
If you want to run them with a different train brand, you might want to consider jury-rigging a "transition" car with an EZ-Tech coupler on one end and the other brand's coupler set at the right height on the other end.
EZ-Tech Christmas Cars
As mentioned elsewhere, EZ-Tech changes which cars go with which sets nearly every year. This article profiles the cars you're most likely to see in any given year, though it's possible that a popular car may disappear for a year or three and re-emerge later.
For simplicity's sake, we've divided the cars we profile into
Animated Cars
A popular feature of these sets is the animated car that is usually included. 
The Elf Handcar is by far the most common animated car in the series. It includes two elves pumping as though the train's forward motion depends on their efforts. Its motion is driven by gears attached to one wheelset.
Usually red, a few color variations, like this brown handcar have been spotted.
There's no reason you couldn't attach a shorty freight car sitting on a power truck and make this look like they're actually towing a last minute delivery somewhere.
 The Elf Skating car is less common but is generally not hard to find. The standing elf's pirouttes are powered by gears attached to one of the wheelsets.
Some versions (like this brown version) include a pair of elf carolers in front of the Christmas tree.
Some versions may have a battery compartment for lighting the Christmas tree.
Here's a note: if you see one of these used, make certain that both elves have both feet - the glue on them sometimes fails.
Also, check the battery compartment to make certain there aren't exploded batteries in it.
 A fairly recent addition I've only seen on premium sets so far is a Snow Globe car that contains a spinning snowman and tiny styrofoam balls that bounce up and down to simulate snowfall.
Both actions are driven by gears attached to a wheel. To be honest, the "snow" doesn't really come up very far, less than an inch. But if you tell the kiddies to look for it, they'll see it.
Video - In 2023, I put action cars from different sets into a train and recorded it running on my raised-platform garden railroad, so you could see them in action. The video is here.
Cabooses
Ez-Tech's "G gauge" trains all seem to use the same "bobber caboose" with four windows on each side. Most of them have no interiors or decorations, but there are a few exceptions. Where there are features in the windows, they are only on one side, the side you will presumably set up facing the viewers.
 For example, the "Christmas Toys" version of the caboose has little cutouts looking out the window on one side (the other side is blank). They bob up and down as the train is going, thanks to gears connected to one of the wheelsets.
Another version has what looks like ice carvings in the windows (on one side). This version can light up to show the images better, courtesy of a battery compartment underneath the car. Again, if you come across one of these used, check the battery compartment to make certain that there aren't exploded batteries in it.
Most of the cabooses have what seems like a "cedar shake" roof, but a few have a smooth roof.
One version of the "Santa Express" has no caboose at all, just the locomotive and a boxcar (below).
Other Cars
 Boxcar - Nearly every set contains an undersized boxcar, usually a red one, though there are some paint and labeling variations even among those. It looks better behind the Atlantic than the Mogul, because of the Atlantic's lower profile.
Boxcars in some of the premium sets have doors that slide open or closed like this green one. This seems to be less common now than it did a few years ago, though.
 Tank Car - The shorty tank car is relatively new to the Christmas lineup, though versions labeled "Santa Fe" have appeared in EZ-Tech's Rio Grande trains for some time. On some newer Christmas sets it replaces the locomotive's tender.
It seems very solid and well-proportioned for this class of car. With a different paint job, hand-rails and ladders, it would look at home on many Large Scale short line or narrow gauge railroads.
Boxcars and tank cars are not animated, but even some of those are clever and fun.
 One kind of passenger car was only used on two trains; both branded as Disney but built by EZ-Tech. It's an open-air coach inspired by the passenger trains at the Disney parks back in the pre-remote days.
Click on the photo to see details about that train.
Collecting (?) the Cars
Obviously, these are toys that nobody collects (except, perhaps for the unique Disney World set). But if you buy a set,and then decide you want a car that isn't in your set, you have three choices:
- Buy the car from an eBay seller for nearly what a complete set would cost you used, or
- Buy a complete set used, or
- Wait for a new set with that car to come on the market (and maybe cross your fingers that it will still be there during the "after-Christmas" sales).
True confession: I received all of the pieces I show in these articles in sets I bought used, mostly from auction sites. So I have very little money tied up in them. In every case, they came in like new condition (except for some leaking battery damage in a couple of the locomotives). I'm guessing that kids "outgrew" them in a season or two, or adults tired of buying batteries.
If you're only trying to buy, say, a particular car, you might have the choice between spending $30 on the car from an eBay seller or $35 for a complete used set with other cars and track. Yes, the locomotive could be "iffy," and you'll get another caboose you don't need, but it's a consideration, and I've tested the locomotives pulling up to five cars on even track.
Whatever you do, don't "rush right out" to buy used. Hundreds of these sets show up on auction sites every year, so if one seems overpriced, bide your time.
That said, if you would rather buy new, be aware that any train on the shelves this year will likely have different cars next year, so when to "pull the trigger" is up to you.
Conclusion
It may seem silly to devote this much effort to trains that are, frankly, toys by anybody's definition. But they're fun toys that Large Scalers can use for many applications during the holiday season. In fact, I will try to set at least one of these out for visitors to operate this fall.
Whatever choices you make when you combine your trains and holiday celebration, we wish you the best, and hope you especially enjoy any time you have to share with your family.
For More Information
Because we've broken our information about these trains up into many small articles and videos, we're listing them here to make them easier to find.
Note About Video Resolution: Most of the videos were recorded in HD, so when you watch them, Watch them full-screen, and look for the letters HD on the little gear. If "HD" isn't there, click on the gear and select HD. The "default" and "auto settings" are often much lower resolution.
EZ-Tech Christmas Train Articles and Videos
Lionel G-Gauge and Ready-to-Play Battery Powered Christmas Trains
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