Christmas Layouts Photo Album-2011

My older Department 56 (and some newer ones)and an MTH M-1b chugging around with some help from the Big Guy!



Merry Christmas to all!

HEY.....I MADE IT! I have another post, 6 days will I make it? Looks like I did, but barely. Finished the electric this morning and did scenery today! Grandson should like it, I think. I hope you all like it also!
Overall shot, then pans left to right, with a couple of scenes.
Merry Christmas! Greg
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Moving left to right:

Greg, nice job - looks like a lot of fun!

don

Meanwhile, on the northeast corridor.

Glenn
Awesome

Is it too late to post my Christmas Card Box Car?

Before this thread gets locked, I'm going to try and place my entry in the 2011 Christmas Photo collection with my two Christmas Trolleys (Lionel Silver Bell and MTH Christmas Trolley). This is my first semi-permanent layout on a 4x8 after having way too many various floor layouts to mention in my quest to come up with a final layout plan. My mother has been doing a Dickens Christmas Village for years and with my renewed interest in trains after 30 years, I staged a bloodless coup d'état and laid rails through the village without any public input from the citizens, or any zoning permits.

The two track layout that I had originally consisted of an outer loop with an inner “S” to utilize the Bump and Go feature. I’ve never been happy with the noise levels of the Lionel FasTrack, and was planning on converting to Atlas O when I eventually got around to a final layout. Why Atlas O? Because the track looks realistic, is tons quieter, and has an Operating Track compatible with Lionel and MTH accessories. So after complaints by guests that the FasTrack noise levels being too prominent for sitting and having discussions in the Christmas room and admiring the tree, etc. I re-laid the entire layout with Atlas O track, this time I removed the back of the outer loop and made it into a Bump and Go route also. I didn’t bother to use the cork underneath the track and it worked out well resting on the Buffalo Snow.

Not having much luck finding out how to insert pictures and will have to keep trying.

quote:

Before this thread gets locked....

There's no danger of that happening. The thread will remain open, but it will be changed from "featured" status on or around Jan. 1, 2012.

REMINDER: If you have photos of your Christmas layout that you are particularly proud of, please consider sending them to me at the magazine so they can be shared with our readers in next December's issue of the publication.

I will be happy to consider either individual photos or full layout displays (whether on the floor or on a temporary or more permanent elevated layout). A few guidelines:

--Images must be high-resolution (largest file size possible or fewest number of images recorded on the camera's disc).

--Include trains in the photos, since we are a train magazine and readers expect to see trains in the photos.

--Keep the compositions simple or relatively simple so there is one primary subject (usually a train).

--Use a tripod if at all possible.

You will receive payment and comp copies of that issue for each photo used.

Send the photos on a disc or as individual attachments to e-mail (may require multiple e-mails for large, high-res images). Send to editor@ogaugerr.com along with caption info and full contact info, including your mailing address.

Contact me directly if you have any questions.

There are some truly great Christmas layouts pictured in this long thread, and I do hope that some of you who have photos you're particularly proud of will consider submitting them to the magazine so a broader audience can appreciate your handiwork.

Thanks very much!

Here we go with my first attempt at posting.

These photos are from the original set up with the Lionel FasTrack

Notice how the Home Depot is convienently located at the center of the Victorian village for easy access for those do-it-yourself home projects.

http://www.photos.jcstudiosinc.com/user995/pix001.jpg

http://www.photos.jcstudiosinc.com/user995/pix002.jpg

http://www.photos.jcstudiosinc.com/user995/pix003.jpg

Lets try this again.

Now, with the setup with the Atlas O Track.

The first version didn't have a railroad station and that has been resolved here. The Home Depot was replaced with a St. Nicholas Square Train Station that handles one of the Bump and Go trolleys at its terminus and the other Bump and Go Trolley while its en route. Note the Christmas item in front of the display with Santa Claus and the Baby Jesus with the star shining down.







Now that I got this picture thing down pat, I'll upload more of my pictures that are closer up later. Figured I would get the overall layout ones uploaded first before I log off for the afternoon.

Packed up the Polar Express today and brought back Ol'Reliable.

Some more photos of my first ever Christmas layout.





The train station is a buzz with the Porter holding the bags of a couple ready to board the Red/Green Route while on the other end of the station the lady sitting on the bench with her Christmas Shopping is getting ready to place a bookmark in her novel so that she can get up and board the Silver Bell Route.



Meanwhile, on another table in the house is the modern shopping center with the relocated Home Depot by some other big boxes along with the Danbury Mint Miami Dolphins porcelain Christmas Train running by.



Next year, we will leave the Dickens Village alone by itself on a separate 4x4, and then use the 4x8 to place 20th and 21st Century items like ski resorts on the train layout. Maybe even have a Lexus with a Red Bow on it outside waiting for the lucky spouse like in the TV commercials. Will have sections for “A Christmas Story” and “A Wonderful Life” and any other famous holiday movies that I can think of that have related village sets. I watched “A Christmas Story” for the first time ever this year (yes, you read that right) during the TBS marathon, and immediately ran out to Walgreens to buy some of the items to put in their own corner as shown in the photo below. BTW, I watched "A Wonderful Life" for the first time last Christmas, so I guess you can say I'm just getting around to paying attention to the classics. Other than that, I’ve started on my own collection myself, starting with as many St. Nicholas Village items I could get remaining on the shelves. Can’t wait until next year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

The city at sunrise.

quote:

Originally posted by graz:

graz, neat idea with the candy power poles. I like that a lot.

Sleigh Ride along the tracks.



The Christmas Special arriving at the station.

I've been slow to get these posted. Some pictures from this year's layout...









-SamM

Took me so long to post a picture of this year's Christmas layout that I've just taken down the tree.

Here's a new outlook. Trains on the tree. The National ZOO

Video of my sons with their Christmas trains. This year marks our 10th Christmas featuring a new train from "Santa". They have enjoyed the tradition and I hope they continue it when they have kids. The boys were extra good this year and each got their own.

They're hooked!!!

- walt

Obsidian:

Definitely the path to a lifelong tradition for your family! Very cool!

quote:

Originally posted by Passenger Train Collector:
It's the day after Thanksgiving and most of us now will start to focus on our Christmas layouts. This would be an ideal place to post your 2011 Christmas Layout photos. Here is a photo to get things started.

Hi Brian,
I wanted to say THANK YOU for getting us started on the CHRISTMAS LAYOUTS Pictures. With all you have had on your platter it was so thoughtful to get this thread going when you did. The pictures posted here are SPECTACULAR.

Many thanks’ my friend.

Here's my large display (6x12) for 2011.

Very nice Louis!

To everyone who has posted--many thanks and everyone of you done a great job. We didn't have any trains out this year, but promise we will have some ready for next Christmas. I was able to purchase several more trees after Christmas at good pricing and if everything stays the same, we will have five trees decorated in our home Christmas 2012. My wife has mentioned doing several theme trees. I have the G-gauge Polar Express for one and Coca-Cola for another. This will be very fun.

Great pics!


Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Obsidian:
Video of my sons with their Christmas trains. This year marks our 10th Christmas featuring a new train from "Santa". They have enjoyed the tradition and I hope they continue it when they have kids. The boys were extra good this year and each got their own.

Great show, Obsidian! It is good to see some older kids enjoying trains at Christmas. I also hope they continue into their adult years.

Better late than never. Christmas Carpet Central Railway.