SL Banetsu Monogatari operation timetable

I intend to purchase a JR Flexible 5 days pass online from my country.
1. are there any websites where I can find the train operation timetable for this dec?
2. whether i can reserve the seats before the pass is exchange? If yes how do i reserve it?

Google is your friend, this train runs only from April to November.

http://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/c57.html

Unfortunately No operate in Dec this year.
But recent years(until last year Dec 2013) operated
on before X'mas weekend as "SL X'mas train[SL クリスマストレイン]" like this.
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/11/01/143/images/001l.jpg
http://www.jrniigata.co.jp/press/20131030slxmas.pdf [PDF]

Why no operate this year 2014???
Bc "C57(locomotive)" long maintenance already started from this Oct.
So in this year also no operate Oct and Nov especially.
Restart next spring late Apr 2015 maybe.
And this year X'mas train by "DL" instead as "DL X'mas train"
like this. http://urx.nu/emd7 ("D" means Diesel engine)

Just you haven't luck this time.
Well, how about this? JR east pass covered but just looking maybe.
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+119885
(Oigawa is not covered. Not "JR-East" railway)

Are you same Q'er...???