2014 Christmas Photo Album

What a beautiful Christmas scene Brian and Elizabeth.  Can't get much better than this.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

One corner of The Christmas Putz in The Lutheran Home at Topton, PA

Nice job Brain! I really hope to meet you one day....you are a genuinely good man with a great attitude on life.

 

Steve 

Beautiful as usual Brian!

Brian; great photo.

You guys have put together some awesome layouts!  Hopefully my tree will be up soon after Thanksgiving.  

Chris! I read a "TinPlate" article that featured you in a well known train magazine last night!

Very nice Brian, Very nice everyone, Looks like the season is upon us.

Just beautiful, David. Photos like this make this thread very special each Christmas season. 

Beautiful layouts, trees, and photos.

 

My recently-completed project is attached...I wish that I had a wide angle lens.   Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

this is it

 

 

This is my Christmas village from last year.  This year it is on loan to the Oshkosh Public Museum for a Christmas village exhibit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HMorgan,

Where is that sleigh and reindeer from?

I can never seem to find a decent version (along with the correct number of reindeer). You even have an extra (Rudolph?) standing with Santa.

 

Dave

We couldn't take the layout to the tree, so we added a tree to the layout. 

This is what I call being creative.

 

 

 

This was actually the wife's idea. She even purchased the tree!

I believe the reindeer, sleigh, and Santa are from Department 56.

 

Wow guys beautiful photos, as soon as i set up our tree and Thomas set, i will post photos

 

 

Alex

A couple of us from the club cobbled together a 6' x 10' table last night at my office and laid two loops of Fastrack. We hastily put down some 'snow' batten and fluffed it up a bit.

This morning at work I added some braces to the table, tacked on the skirting,  and placed the trains for static display.

We're scrounging around for a suitable transformer and will add the festive buildings and lights for the weekend.  Here's a couple of shots of the beginning.

Best of the season to all. 

Bryan

 

 

PTC,

   Holy cow buddy I have not even had time to start building yet!

PCRR/Dave

I still have some Halloween stuff to put away

 

HMorgan, nice collection and display.

 

Bryan, what did you use for the texture on your mountain backdrop?

 

Don

Thanks for the pictures; they're wonderful!

 

Interesting. I thought we were the ONLY ones that decorated the tree to a point where you couldn't see the tree! 

 

Nice job guys!!

That looks like a nice little town there Sam!

Inspirational, every one of them! I'm getting off my computer-anchored keester right now and head to the basement Christmas-decoration-storage-cave and dig out some more cartons to continue the recent three days of Holiday decorating. Dinner later today will be my reward (not that I need one.)

FrankM

 

 

Bryan -  These pictures remind me of Bedford Falls.  I half expected to see Jimmy Stewart running down the street.

Wow, some absolutely great shots and Christmas layouts! Here is mine from last year. Well, maybe two years ago! With a one year old last year it was minimized!  

 

 

Not a 2014 Christmas layout, but one that I miss dearly (one of the sad parts of a divorce).

Here are some shots of my 2014 Christmas layout.

 

 

My wife searched Hi and Lo to find the figures for this Frozen diarama!

 

This is a great thread!  I get to enjoy the Christmas layouts and I don't have all the work of setting one up and taking it down.  

 

Art

I don't want to hijack this thread but I hope you liked it. Thank you. 

Congratulations  Chris, could not have happened to a nicer guy.

Festival Scale

Rail Fun At Mardi Gras from Woodshire Films on Vimeo.

Brian, the first time I saw your city streets I could not believe what I was looking at.  Very beautiful.  You and Elizabeth are artists.

 

Jim - Thanks for the idea. I'll have to look for a Jimmy Stewart figure.  That would make a nice little vignette.

My Father in law does G gauge, here is a picture I took last night after Thanksgiving dinner:

 

Added some HDR filtering to it too!

The North Pole is very busy today. They don't really know or care about Black Friday, they have Christmas Gifts to make for good boys and girls (lots of train items). You have to agree, they have beautiful surroundings to work in. Click on the photo to enlarge it and to see all of the details. 

 

 

 

 

WOW, Lots of ambitious folks here. Great work, Great photo's. Thanks. 

Put mine up about two weeks ago and have been enjoying our Christmas layout every night with all the lights out save those of the layout and tree.  There is nothing more relaxing than running trains while enjoying a nice glass of red wine.  Can't wait until tonight.

North Pole 2014

 

Caribou

 

 

Today's addition.

 

 

I hope some of these wonderful photographs become Christmas cards shared with friends and family; thanks everyone for sharing them here.

Matthew,

What a unique set of pictures. It looks like the caribou are coming out of the mist.

 

Dave

Wow....you guys are doing some amazing layouts this year!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

Under the terms of my strict contract with the family CEO, the tree went up on Friday 11/28/14 and the layout started to be put together Saturday morning 11/29/14.

 

 

Wolves & Snow Bunnies

 

 

Hi All,

        Some great layouts and trees on here!

Here is our 2014 Christmas Tree and layout aka the Lionel Shrine as my Wife Tammy calls it!

Mason unboxing the Hallmark trains

 

Flying the Lionel Flag in the UK

 

Nick

Nick, your son is really growing up quickly. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Gorgeous tree, Skip. Can't wait to see your 2014 edition of the Christmas Layout.

 

Paul Like the pictures. The ex; not so much

Real Estate Layout UPDATE

She's up and running fine now and people are stopping to watch, many stepping inside to talk.

Yesterday I spoke with two families from other areas who were here to ride the Polar Express in nearby Bryson City on the Great Smoky Mountain RR Excursion Train.

 

My wife put together the nice Creche a few years ago. A club member constructed the tent revival behind it using popsicle sticks for benches.

 

Hey Bill,  As a New Orleans native, I really liked this post - Thanks!

Especially the last image when the film stopped and it became a 'painting' 

Hi Brian,

            He is 6 now, where does the time go?

 

Congrats on the TM Video of your layout. I'll look out for that one.

 

Merry Christmas to you and Elizabeth.

Nick & Family

Just a simple O-36 loop this year. Here's my 10 yr old (left) showing his friend for the first time.  His friend has never seen a train "like that" before.  Lionel 6-30024 Union Pacific Fast Freight Ready to Run set Santa brought him Christmas 2010.  Even my 8 yr old Daughter (right) and her friend found it fascinating.....so did the cat who naturally knocked the caboose off the track as it went by the first time.

 

 

Brian

I appreciate you posting this thread every year.  This is one of my favorite threads that I look forward to seeing every year! 

 

Nice layouts and photo’s everyone!!!

 

Every year my layout is different from previous years.  As some of you know, my layout for this year will be on video, Toy Train Revue Part 4 along with Brian’s and Mr. Muffin’s layouts.  I have already taken many pictures this year’s layout since my layout has been up for a month!  The photo’s below are some close up pictures of scenes around my layout.    

 

My layout is a Southern country village along with a Snoopy theme.  The other night my daughter and I were discussing how nice it would be to shrink down and become a “little person”…to be apart of my peaceful and quaint village!  There no cars in my village, only horse drawn sleds and wagons, as I have it represent the simpler days of life of the past.    Ken 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is our Department 56 Snow Village we put up every year featuring the Polar Express. 

 

Well Sam, the Kids and Dad looks like they are enjoying the layout, however mom and grandma's body language seems to have a different slant on it(humbug me thinks)

John 

IMG_1552.JPG

Ken there's always something new to see on your Christmas layout. It's one of my longtime favorites.

Me thinks some one in the Village is wishing for a different time.

The Otherside of the tracks...

 

 

 

What a great photo, Matt.

 

I don't belong to the club but the Washington, Virginia, Maryland Garden Railway Society has a beautiful display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton Maryland. 

 

 

The National Capital Trackers, which I belong to, will be at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore during Christmas week. See our website for details on all of our holiday events. 

 

In 2 weeks, the National Capital Trackers will also spend a week at the College Park Aviation Museum, the oldest continuously operating airport in the world. 

Our small Christmas display combining two of my favorites, trains and Lego's!

 

When I first read, where you wrote, "...small", the size had not occurred to me because your whole layout is so charming and delightful, esp. considering that red train (!WOW!)

Even the whimsy of the Star Wars walking machine somehow fits the playful mood. All of it is fun to see!

FrankM

What is that white stuff on everything outside the window? Not familiar with that. BTW, 77 degrees today in north FL...going outside for a walk now. 

Matthew

Thanks.  I wanted to throw in at least one picture that added some humor!!  Old Frosty is not very happy in that scene while Fighto is doing his job! 

 

I enjoy seeing your photos and videos too.  I love the pictures with the Caribou!  Nicely done. 

Ken

Well it's not a train, but it is Christmas, and what's Christmas without the Griswold's?

It's been 25 years since the movie came out....man where did the time go?   

 

We've had this replica Advent Calendar on order for 2 years, and finally got it last month. It's completely scratch built with a few personalized custom touches by the builder.

 

On December 1st, you light the house. Then open the door for the next 24 days before Christmas. I had to build the base tonight so we could light the house.

 

Our last name on the mailbox with the house number for 2014. Yes the waiting list is that long.

 

 

Plaque on the back and I had a quote from the movie put on there with the name changed of course.

 

 

Of course the Hallmark Christmas Vacation ornaments along with a few others.

 

This is what Christmas photo albums are about, Sharing Family Traditions new and old. Sure this is a train forum, but I don't see anything wrong with throwing in a few of the reasons we celebrate the Christmas Season and Family has got to be one of the best reasons. Thanks

Here's a tradition I hope keeps going for many years to come. Our Milwaukee Special normally would be running on the top loop of our display. It still smokes, the Mighty Sound of Steam still wails over all other sound sets, the e-unit works flawlessly. Unfortunately there's no top loop for it to operate on this year. Not to worry though it has it's own dedicated table in the middle of the living room.

 

LOS, this is without a doubt the most beautiful Advent Calendar I have ever seen.

 

Now that's an advent calendar.

Another Christmas tradition in our family is that the Nativity is always set up before any other decorations. Ma has been collecting the Willow Tree nativity figures available at Hallmark Stores. This year she wanted the Manger for the set. But me being the cheap SOB that I am; refused to fork out the $120 for something I could put together on my own for less than $20 with better options. So that's what I did....

 

 

 

And to keep it Train related it makes a great backdrop for Cheesy Valley and the Milwaukee Special...

 

The Christmas Cannonball rolls into town....

The town needs to do a better job of decorating! lol

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

 

 

I'm off tomorrow.  I'll be up to sample those yummy cookies.

Thanks.  I attached a 8 ft. blue LED rope light strand to a 1 1/2 strip of wood which acts as a spacer between the mountains.  The light creates the glow.  After spray painting the mountains, I sprinkled micro glitter in the paint which helps accent the snow appearance.  - Bryan

Great job, figuring out those small touches really helps you get the most out of the illumination.

This car was built over the summer for the 2014 Christmas season.....

 

 

 

Peter

Peter, being a Chicago Baseball fan I love your Nativity car; especially because it includes the "Holy Cow!" (Harry Carey (March 1, 1914 – February 18, 1998))

Nice Christmas Carpet layout, Carl. Not everyone has the room or know how to have anything permanent or larger, and it scratches that Train Running itch. A carpet layout is a real personal touch, and you just HAVE to have trains for Christmas! (Nice cat, too, what's it's name?)

This picture is simply not a fair way to start the day. I want them NOW. Please have Dina send a care package ASAP. I will pay for shipping.   Also please tell Dina I love your Christmas Tree.

 

PTC,

   Yep the cookie dish was definitely not a fair post unless she is will to make a dish like that for all the members of the OGR!

PCRR/Dave

Knowing how sweet Dina is, she would probably be happy to do it.

Thanks.  I measured it out to give my wife an perspective in relation to our house. When I said I would have knock down a wall. She said don't get any Ideas. I wonder what I said that would that she would say that? 

 

Doug

Good Morning. This is so unfair to look at.  I gained 10lbs  looking at it.  When do we eat? 

Alex - I don't know which is my bigger weakness, trains or cookies?  It looks like we are both truly blessed to have wives that not only support us in so many ways, but are also great cooks and bakers.  You are making me hungry, I have to leave and see what that wonderful aroma is coming from the kitchen.  Merry Christmas.

 

Art

Alex- that plate of cookies not only looks yummy, but brings back memories. When I was a kid, we used to go to my Grandma's in early December to make ravioli one day, then fig cookies and cannoli another. I'm happy to say the ravioli tradition continues; we made about 300 last Sunday.

 

I agree with Art; those of us who have wives that make the time to bake/cook each year are indeed fortunate. The effort completes the season.

 

Gentlemen,

   Although I was not raised in the Rankin Bass era, I still think the stuff is fantastic and makes a great kids layout, course some kids are bigger than others, including me.

My era is Fred & Bing in Holiday INN, singing on the train!  Snow Snow  Snow!

PCRR/Dave

I'll be right over.