Just a follow up to my previous posts -
In the current issue (Dec./Jan 2013) of "Village D-Lights" magazine, there is an article on village trains. This magazine is aimed at village collectors, mostly Dept. 56.
http://www.treasuresmagazine.com/village_dlights/They talk about each village and what goes best with them. As for Dickens' Village, they said it "would spring to life with a proper British 0-6-0 tank engine and coaches in OO scale pulling into a Victoria Station brimming with Christmas shoppers."
OO is roughly the same as the American HO, and the same time period would be great for a 4-4-0 Modern American or 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler. Here's one source for a Bachmann model -
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/br-standard-class-3mt-tank-82001-br-lined-black-early-emblem-bc31-979.html This is what I have - http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=3525
For Snow Village they suggest O or O27. North Pole is a fantasy and anything will work. New England and Christmas in the City is On30 on their recommendations.
But the nice thing about this hobby is you can do whatever you want. It's your decision as to what you like. Me, I'll stay with HO in my Dickens' Village - 'cause that's what I like.
