2019 Atomic Advent Calendar Gift Ideas Day 5.

Running a toy train set around the tree during the holidays brings an air of nostalgia to kids of all ages. Share the joy you experienced with the young ‘uns in your life by introducing them to these fabulous Atomic Energy Commission toy trains.

What kid hasn’t dreamed of tending to their own uranium ore cars? Can’t dig a bomb shelter in your backyard? You can be one of the travelers in your own Mobile Fallout Shelter. Know that you’re doing your part for the Cold War by transporting Spent Fuel Rods to safe storage among our nuclear stockpile. How do you get there? With a glow-in-the-dark, life-like AEC diesel engine chugging you through the nuclear winter.

Atomic Energy Commission toy trains have been part of many sets over the years, ever since its founding in 1947. Lionel, for example, has included atomic and nuclear cars in its line. For the N-gauge versions pictured above, Micro Trains is your source.

2019 Atomic Advent Calendar Gift Ideas, Day 4

The Polaris Nuclear Sub was a bargain at only $6.98. It’s guaranteed to provide hours of imaginative play in the sturdily constructed 200 lb. test material.

Like most of the things you could buy in the back of a comic book, the Polaris Nuclear Sub was long on description, mystery, and marketing. And once delivered, usually disappointing — comes with real working torpedoes and rockets! Real periscope! Electrically lit control panel!

It’s just that the ad never mentions that it’s a play set made of cardboard and plastic parts that you need to assemble. So nobody really got to submerge to 20,000 leagues, shoot Polaris missiles for the glory of the Cold War, destroy enemy battleships, or celebrate with the Sea Monkeys among the bubbles of the deep.

2019 Atomic Advent Calendar Gift Ideas Day 3

Ideal’s exact replica of the U.S. Army’s Atomic Cannon will give you the firepower you need to blast your friends. Over 4 feet long, it comes with six soft-tipped shells for loading into the cannon complete with adjustable firing ranges. This 1958 beauty is only $7.98 ($71.06 in today’s dollars, and much cheaper than the $7.6MM to purchase a real one!).

Ideal Toy Company produced toys and dolls from 1909 to 1997, including a wide variety of military toys.

The 1958 advertisement for the Ideal M65 Atomic Cannon is sure to make you cringe.