I failed miserably to get this done in 2020. Lots of (valid) excuses, but I just didn't get to it/finish it. I was plagued by track problems...keeping connectivity through the aggressive slope changes. Several mentioned this would be a problem; you were correct. So, two weeks before Christmas 2020, I ended up designing and building a layout a single day (20hr day). Pretty simple, but effective...my kids loved it!
BUT...
My wife hated it. "Why is that train so F#**% loud?!?!?! Yes, my wife has a potty mouth! It was on Fastrack because that's what I had and could build out quickly. All my Atlas track was sitting in a pile of concentric circles stacked on top of each other held up by carboard boxes! I love Fastrack for it's simplicity, but HATE it for it's noise. I keep it for carpet layouts, and that's probably the only thing I'll ever use it for after hearing the near-silence of Atlas solid rail track. Wow, it is absolutely noticeable.
Context: while I'm typing this (Dec 23, 2021), my boys (3 & 5) are enjoying not one, two, but three toy-train sets simultaneously! They are both fanatical about trains, but my little one is ludicrous-fanatical about trains. IT IS ALL HE TALKS ABOUT! (and this is my fault...lol)
Ok...actually...let's start with Christmas 2019. This is what got me thinking about going all-out with trains at Christmas. (testing a basic design on carpet). I only had a single LionChief 'Construction' train starter set. This remains my youngest's *FAVORITE* train!
Which then evolved into this around the tree. I set this up on Christmas Eve 2019, so when the boys came up the stairs that Christmas morning, I had the train running. They were beside themselves. The priceless video, with all the facial expressions, will be cherished forever. (not gonna upload those videos, sorry).
So, onto Christmas 2020. This was the 20hr design and build. I started with the idea from an older model train magazine about Christmas layouts. It was called 'twice around the tree' or something like that. This guy built a full-up 2x4, plywood, and MDF layout for vintage tubular track. I can't find the article or I would link to it. I used 1" and 2" XPS foam, hot glue, and a flush-cut saw.
Anyway, here's what 2020 looked like. Overall success, but not what I had intended after so much work on the failed layout. BTW, the raised platform was completed and used here, and I'll detail how I built that in the next post.
