Garrett's 2021 Christmas train layout

so here we go.  My general plan is to double the left side from 4x4 to 4x8.  I staged the left side bracket, added some supports, built a second bracket, then placed it in position.

Sweet!  You're right on target.

Mike

added casters to all of the legs.  going to be very helpful when placing track pieces.  will be able to move the benchwork away from the walls so that I can access from all sides

got the benchwork frames all set up and placed the foam on top.  the painted foam is what I used last year.  the unpainted green is new for this year.  realized that I did not account for floor space for plants which need the sunlight from that left corner.  so, going to have to flip this track plan horizontally.  the add-on 4x4 surface will have to move to the right side of the layout.  glad I started way early.

You know....I've never thought of or seen an elevated dog bone used for a Christmas Tree Layout before.

Works great and keeps the trains off the floor.....yet you can still add presents to the base of the tree.

Many of us wind up moving a couch to make way for the tree....which one would do for a dog bone like you did last year.

Brilliant.  Thanks for sharing.

Keep documenting that Christmas layout build, Garrett. Might be a very good candidate for the Dec. (2022) issue of O Gauge Railroading magazine. Just get in touch with me if you might be interested. Our 2021 issue is already in production, but I really like to plan ahead when it comes to seasonal magazine features.

@Berkshire President posted:

You know....I've never thought of or seen an elevated dog bone used for a Christmas Tree Layout before.

Works great and keeps the trains off the floor.....yet you can still add presents to the base of the tree.

Many of us wind up moving a couch to make way for the tree....which would for a dog bone like you did last year.

Brilliant.  Thanks for sharing.

I went with the dogbone concept at first because I could start building it in Oct or Nov.  We would get a live Xmas tree after Thanksgiving. I made the section in front a head of time.  just slide into position after the tree was in place.  My first dogbone layout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUXa4qVFwEA

However, problem- our older dog would stumble through it like Godzilla through Tokyo.  We could come home and find derailed train cars and broken ceramic buildings, LOL.  after that I lifted everthing up.  my first elevated layout was 2014.  it was smaller than what I have now (different house), but it is still one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk7_b_cglMo

@Allan Miller posted:

Keep documenting that Christmas layout build, Garrett. Might be a very good candidate for the Dec. (2022) issue of O Gauge Railroading magazine. Just get in touch with me if you might be interested. Our 2021 issue is already in production, but I really like to plan ahead when it comes to seasonal magazine features.

Thanks.  If you have any photography or documentation tips, please share.  Right now I am focused on making daily forward progress and sharing with the forum.

A Question for the O.P. your forum handle begs me to ask if you have a Garrett in your collection? If so what scale?

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

A Question for the O.P. your forum handle begs me to ask if you have a Garrett in your collection? If so what scale?

no, never heard of it until you mentioned it

Looks great, Garrett!!

I got everything flipped over to the right side and started placing the track pieces

I am impressed you are getting started so early ahead of the Christmas rush.  Nice work so far!

Garrett, You have a nice space for your Christmas layout.  I lost my previous space to my wife's quilting operation.  I'm all in favor of her doing it.  She retires tomorrow.  Yippee!  She needs to get her mind off nursing and work on her hobby more.

In addition, I finally notice the chipped off edges of the foam in the final photograph.  I think that is a nice touch.  I agree, get with Allan Miller on doing an article.

as a friend of mine said, it's time for my wife to get a she-shed !

I tried to sculpt the edges of the foam to make it look more like a snow bank.  once the garland is in place like the pictures at the top then it really takes on a custom look with the lights and shadows

@Garrett76 posted:

as a friend of mine said, it's time for my wife to get a she-shed !

I tried to sculpt the edges of the foam to make it look more like a snow bank.  once the garland is in place like the pictures at the top then it really takes on a custom look with the lights and shadows

I used a hot wire kit from Hot Wire Foam Factory.  Worked like a charm

@Garrett76 posted:

as a friend of mine said, it's time for my wife to get a she-shed !

I tried to sculpt the edges of the foam to make it look more like a snow bank.  once the garland is in place like the pictures at the top then it really takes on a custom look with the lights and shadows

Our township only allows one outbuilding, and we have a shed with mower, snow blower, etc.  The only answer is to move!

@Garrett76 posted:

Thanks.  If you have any photography or documentation tips, please share.  Right now I am focused on making daily forward progress and sharing with the forum.

I will send you a copy of our Author Guidelines and Photo Tips sheet. Just document the heck out of everything you do with hi-res photos and I will work with you to put an article together. If we come up with a decent presentation (I'm confident we will), you will receive $400 for the article when it is published.

@Garrett76 posted:

"Garrett, pass the ketchup"

"No problem dear, I'll send it down to your end railway express"

John