2014 Christmas Photo Album

i love to see all the Christmas scenes.  I tore up and got rid of almost all of my train stuff this year.  after seeing these pics, i don't know why.  i am spending more time looking around this forum, ebay, and other trains sites than i have in months.  i may have to get back in.  here's my last layout (that i never quite finished).

http://youtu.be/RFouee_S-Rw

ct99; Nice video & layout.

Thanks to everyone posting photos and videos here. Very enjoyable!

Ahhh.... time for my annual regret at not starting my Christmas layout sooner to create the layout I really would like.  And time for my envy at those who did start sooner and have created really great layouts.  And the bar is raised higher every year.  Great layouts so far.

 

What did you use for the mountain lighting?  It really adds a lot of depth and interest.  I like how the light highlights the texture on the mountains, really making it come alive and look like snow.  Very creative.

Love seeing all the Christmas layouts!  Here's mine from last year.  This year's going to be pretty much the same.

 

My current Std. Gauge/Large scale Christmas layout:

I've been wanting to share this with all of you. Below are photo's of five ceramic pieces that my Mom had hand painted probably 35 years ago. I still am amazed at the detail she put into her work. Unfortunately, we lost Mom four years ago. About a year after her death, I was admiring Christmas pictures posted by many of you, and was inspired.

 

Merry Christmas to all of you, and thanks, Mom.

 

This is just beautiful, Bryan.

 

Simply wonderful.  Thanks for sharing.

Well the upper level, North Pole, was more or less finished for Thanksgiving. Everyone liked it, so here is a few shots. It still lacks 1 building and some elves that are packed with the Christmas ornaments (I hope).

 

 

 

Sidewinder,

 

They are indeed very well done.  Anyone can buy pre-done buildings, but these are irreplaceable treasures.  I also think the colored lights underneath the snow is very fitting for the whimsical nature of these buildings.  Thanks for sharing with us.  Sharing stories like these is what makes this forum a true family.

 

Charlie,

 

Wow.  Yours is one of my favorites so far.  SO much fun and wonder and playfulness.  Kids would go nuts over this.  My favorite part is the mountains.  They are so perfect with the Rudolph figurines.  That kind of look is straight out of the movie.  Normally I prefer Christmas layouts to be in the dark to enjoy the lights, but I like yours in the bright light as you have it to really make all the colors pop.  Great job. 

Well that is in the dark. I just can't figure out how to get pictures to come out more as the eye see's it. I'll keep playing with different setting on my camera, maybe by Christmas I'll get it..............

Whoever starts at this location on this Thread must push 1 and start at the Beginning as The Passenger Train Collector has opened wide the gates to Show how Creative a Hobby This Is. There are so many Beautiful Scenes, So Many Fantastic Layouts, It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas!!! Thank You EVERYONE....Happy Railroading.

Ho Ho Ho  -  Great thread, and AMAZING pictures!!!. You just put me in the mood for this weekends tree triming

 

Here is my simple Rankin Bass inspired oval layout. It's still a work in progress. I am working on a Misfit Island, another Winter Warlock scene, and I need to add the Miser brothers.

 

Charlie, I agree with Tow Dog that is an amazing likeness to the Movie.

 

As far as overriding the light meter in your camera that may be a little difficult. I think on my digital snap and shoot camera the only setting that prevents the light meter from filling the shot with light is the "macro" setting. I believe it's the one I absolutely have to use a tripod with and the shutter will remain open for as long as you hold the button down.

Those are great little houses and make your Christmas so much more than just a tree and lights. They make a great North Pole Village unlike any other.

Hands down my favorite thread; whatever is in second place isn't even close.

 

Keep the photos and stories coming; and, thanks to all who have posted.

Great work, a wonderful rendition of the Rudolph Special.

The Other Side of the Tracks; (looking in from outside)

 

 

Charlie, this is just stunning work. Very nicely done. If this doesn't put you in the spirit of the season, nothing will. 

 

 

 

Here is mine in, this case the tree is on the layout nothing fancy.

 

 

 

 

Here's a video of this year's layout.

 

 

Thanks for the kind words. And to all the others thanks, for your kind words and likes. I tend to go overboard. I might not get to do this again so I wanted it to be memorable. I hope the lower level and my modified D27 come out as well. Hope to have those ready at least a week before Christmas. I also liked your setup as well. I wish it was setup so you could like the original post and not just the replys. Yours is very nicely done as well.

Passenger train Collector,

1st let me say everybody's Christmas Train Layouts this year are just fantastic, sorry I did not start building earlier myself, thanks for starting this thread!

   Well we finally had some time to start constructing the 2014 Christmas train layout, things are starting to come together and the 2nd level train track & 3rd level street car line went in late last night, with the roll away power station, DCS & Legacy included in the nights work.  All equipment has been tested and works perfectly, I especially like the Lionel FasTrack Command Control switches on every level, controlled from the Legacy Cab2, Great technical control engineering from low voltage track power.

PCRR/Dave




Roll away power station with Z4K/ZW & Legacy/ DCS Controls.


New Legacy 990 and DCS remote control up-grade UB645 Battery Charger,
having the DCS remote control upgraded to a fully rechargeable unit has been a fantastic addition to the DCS hand held remote control, my buddy Bill Ingraham here on the OGR forum did this for me, and the fully rechargeable DCS hand held remote control works like a million bucks, MTH needs to engineer this up-grade into their DCS Package, ASAP!

 I was showing my wife the pics from this thread. When I showed your pics. She like it and wanted to know if I was going to do the same thing.  In a way it is yes as my layout is a winter theme anyway and once the tree comes down there will be a lake in that location until next Christmas.  I have been enjoying this thread from the start. I do have one question. How large is your train room? 

 

Thanks

 

Doug

I am so glad that someone else remembers the Rankin/Bass series of Christmas shorts. I always looked forward to watching these along with Charlie brown. Don't get me wrong, I like PE but this is what I grew up with. 

 

Doug

Doug, 40 ft. by 38 ft. The benchwork is 36 ft. by 23 ft. that gives plenty of walk-around room.

 

OK, Wife and Daughter don't like the train under the tree, It Limits the amount of gifts they can pile there.

My layout is in my Den. I expanded a bit while converting to the Christmas theme.

Up on 17" lift, drop in a Sheet of 1/2" Ply and lay out the Quilt batting.

Extended the layout into the shelves for more open floor space this year.

Passing siding in town parks the new 10th Anniversary Polar Express and the Challenger pulls several Christmas theme boxcars and a Norman Rockwell Caboose

That is my Grand daughter in the corner.

 

Matthew B,

    I needed something with a little weight to her that looked nice, so that I could put some fair size wheels on, to roll on the plush carpet.  Yep it has three nice size storage compartments for the White Lightening, Famous Grouse, & Jack Daniels, after all it's the Christmas season. 

 

Russell,

Cute picture of your Granddaughter with the train layout!

PCRR/Dave

Matthew;

The bell is wherever she left it. She drops it whenever she gets distracted, I put it back on the layout before she comes back in the room.

Fantastic photos,scenes, and video's everyone !!!!!!!!!

 

Here's my Thomas the Tank train set wearing a Christmas Cap, and his passenger is Buddy the ELF on a shelf.

 

Thanks,

Alex

 

Alex, that tree looks like at least an 8 footer or more and beautifully decorated (Dina did that, right?)  Is she making those delicious chocolate chip cookies for the holidays?  Oh, that train is so cute.

Hi Johnny,

 

Yep the tree is a 9 footer, and yes Dina is baking a ton of different cookies for Christmas

 

Here's a sample