No trains under my tree anymore, or at least there hasn't for the past several years. Here are some photos of the last few Christmas layouts....
Christmas 2009, HO scale. This actually worked quite well. The HO trains ran very well under the tree, about 6 hours a day, non-stop - much to my surprise! Especially since the engines used had been unrun, entombed in display cases for about 5 years and were not lubricated before being put on the track. This was the last year I ran anything HO. My good sized HO collection has returned to the display cases and non has run since Christmas 2009. No plan to run any of it, no track to do so. I think the display cases have only been opened once or twice since! In this photo, my Bachmann Spectrum N&W "Baby Trainmaster" leads a pair of beautiful Toronto "GO Transit" bi-level commuter cars. 
Christmas 2010 (and would continue to Christmas 2012 I think) - LGB G Gauge, Imported from Germany! I've always loved LGB products, especially the Stainz locos from Austria. I was so, so tempted to buy another LGB Stainz set for this year but didn't really have room for the large trains nor could I really justify the ~$400 bill for a train that may run a few hours and set up for about 2 weeks a year. I also have No G Gauge track or power supply. The LGB set, along with a Bachmann EBT coal hopper enjoy a display shelf in my basement. My local "chain" LHS was once a large LGB dealer and where I purchased the PRR set. They are now big into Piko. I've been interested in Piko products, I like the look of their 0-6-0 tank engines. Not sure about the quality however...
This year - I've been adding each year to my Department 56 collection. This year I went a little overboard. Instead of buying one building this year like usual, I bought.....6!!! The "Snow Village" with some Dept. 56 and Lemax are in the dining room while my Dickens Village collection is under the tree. Looks nice I think! No trains, once again this year and no train ornaments - a first!
On my layout are 3 MTH Christmas boxcars. They'll be running a few weeks more....!
Hope all here have a wonderful holiday season!
