Well here it is folks, as promised. It needs some work, but this is all I had time for this year. Next year there will be some padding under the track to reduce noise, fallen snow, some vehicles (could not find them in my 20+ bins of train stuff before the pics were taken), and the 'boxed' mountain will look more like a mountain.
Layout in place and ready.Detail of village areaTesting the village LightsClose up of light holder - these things are awesome!Double Cross-overCommand Center AreaClose up of the Command CenterThe boxed mountain in place, tree up and ready for some decorationsTest run #1The village gets an unexpected visitorTigger is checking out the ice skatersStill can't figure out how those little people are moving around!Curiosity satisfied - exit stage leftClose up of the Christmas Berkshire pulling its loadHere comes the 0-6-0 NPCL SwitcherA race to the tunnel!#60 Trolley on the line...Trains exiting the tunnelAnother exit shotThe 4-4-0 Christmas General has found a home pulling post-war 2400 series passenger cars - sure hope the NPCL Passenger Train Expansion set is under the tree this year!Everything is completeThe village at nightThe days activities were too much for Ms Tigger...
Wow,
I like the layout of the track with alot of action in a small space.
Jim H
Agreed, i like the crossovers, and it hink i willwork that into my track for next year... Nice looking layout!
Lastnight when I put the passenger loop under the tree my wife walks into the living room and says:
"FOUR tracks?!?!? FOUR? We need to talk!"
My response, "Yes, FOUR. It is one more than 3 and 1 less than five. Three looked rather bland and I couldn't fit a fifth track into the plan. Now when we have the family over at christmas there will be lots for people to watch!" Gave her a hug and kiss and went to bed!
Looks really great! I dunno about your cat, but our two are just TOO dang curious. I ended up buying a "cat repellant" to spray around the board to keep the curiosity to a minimum. Works really good.
Dep
Virginian Railroad
LOL...I bought a Christmas collar for my wife's cat. It's red and has a candy cane embroidered on it. I never realized a cat's head could contort to the point of being able to grab something around it's neck, but HIS does!!!
dep
DJ,Thanks. The layout is 1/4 ply over 1 x 3s. The mountain can be moved it rests on the floor as well as on the base (very poor design). The mountain was an afterthought when I realized the tree sitting on the base hung too low for the trains to pass underneath - plus the tree is only 6.5' so that ment I could raise it up a bit.Next year I think I'm going to do it a bit different... not exactly sure how, but the outter loop is going to go up under the tree and back down, the inner loop will come up to the upper level, as will the village... not sure how it will look, but we'll have to see... I would like to keep 3 trains and a trolley...Also will probably go foam next year as well... this all depends on if we are in a new house or not... so only time will tell... 8 months to think about it! Plus I want to get some animated accessories included as well.
DJ,Forgot to mention something about the Command Center...Notice it is a ZW... but it is a NEW ZW and the 180w powerhouses are tucked away under the ZW's based. The little 'shelf' behind the ZW goes right over the terminals. And all wires are hidden...This was based on a larger version a friend of mine built for his christmas layout. The area where the two locos are sitting is where the new CW-80 is going to sit when it arrives later this week. I'll post completed pictures as well as blueprints once the CW-80 is here and in place.The shelf also serves as a resting spot for smoke fluid, track cleaner, a couple small screw drivers, and other miscellaneous items. I wanted to move the operating track controller to the command center, but I forgot about it! There is room for, so I am not worried about adding it next year, and there is room for a couple more animated accessory switches too. There are three right now, one controls the ice rink and the other two control the burning switch tower that didn't make it onto the final layout, but will be back next year as well.The layout is 100% mobile. The wires can be disconnected from the layout to the command center, and from each other using wire connectors (male - female type).
Next year the passenger station will be inside the passenger train loop also... things you think of AFTER you have it built!
I like your layout and the command center is very smartly done. Your layout is very similar to mine in many ways. I was able to sneak my ZW and the controls in at one end of the layout but did scarifice a little track space to do so. Hmmm, maybe I will reconsider for next season after seeing how you did yours.
My layout is a 4' x 12' with two independent loops with one short spur. The main similarity is I also have a platform built up for the tree to stand like you do. While the trains are running underneath there is room for presents around the tree and after Christmas morning another quick loop of track is added for the last week or so of fun! I cut three viewing portals in the side of my platform so the trains can be viewed as they circle under and around the tree.
Nice work and thanks for sharing the views of your Christmas project!
Kevin T.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
Here are some updated photos:'If it weren't for those darned trains running around we could really reek havoc on that village!'
Overview of the updated villageClose up of the passenger stationLionelville Dairy drops off a shipment at the stationSome cars have been added tooLooks like we have a hotrodder in town!Townhall is open for business... they did a nice job decorating the town tree this year!The church is certain to be packed on Christmas Eve... you can see some trees in the far corner now too!
Thanks RRR and Keith,I tend to jump into projects and modify them as I go along. The christmas layout, as stated before, is always going to be a work inprogress. I am planning such a large layout that I need a way to try things out beforehand, it is easier to try it small and work out the kinks than it is to start large and have to scrap something that could cost a bunch of money.Having read the posts in the forum for a week now, I have gained quite a bit of knowledge and the layout will definitely be totally different next year.I have a few new ideas on how to build the layout and will be posting the results of different tests, including sound files.This layout is incredibly loud. I had both mainlines, the trolley line and the passenger loop running last night and you almost couldn't sit in the living room! So it has to change.I am toying with the idea of incorporating three concepts for subroadbed material into one:1. Put 2 inch foam over 1/4 inch plywood (the plywood would give a nice firm base, attached with construction adheasive.2. Cut ceiling tile (from Franks posts) to about 1 inch wider than the FasTrack roadbed and adhear that to the top of the 2 inch foam.3. Cut carpert padding so it fits snuggly inside the underside of the FasTrack roadbed.4. Attach the insultated FasTrack to the ceiling tile using #4 screws.The reason for this is I suspect the open air under the FasTrack roadbed is acting as an amplifier for the sound, by installing the carpet padding under the roadbed that should deaden the sound. The ceiling tile is lighter weigth than ply and provides the grip for the screws. I can then 'sculpt' the foam and use it as the support structure for the scenery... those furnace filter pine trees can stick right in to the foam too! I can also make the 'mountain' lighter by layering 2 inch foam and cutting the tunnel path into the foam, then attach ceiling tiles to the top of the mountain so the christmas tree has a firm base to sit on. I'm still working on the track plan, but it will still have the two mainlines, trolley line, and seperate passenger loop. I may look into adding a crossover for the passenger loop onto the inner mainline and adding a spur as well. I have a few accessories I want to get into the mix as well. Plus I found some nice plans for trestle bridges, so one of those has to make its way onto the layout too...To be honest I am most proud of the command center... that really turned out nice... more on that coming soon too.
Mickey,I haven't done the foam, ceiling tile, carpet foam bit yet. Those are ideas I have gotten from others on the forums, and combining them after doing some reseach on acustic deadening.I'll keep everyone up-to-date on the progress and what I find during testing.Brent
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