Department 56

[Anonymous]

Has anyone used Department 56 buildings and scenery successfully with model trains. It seems like the scale is about 1:48 or O. Is this right?

[Big_Boy_4005]

I've seen it done, and they aren't too bad. Because they are ceramic, they aren't as "crisp" as a regular scale model. They actually look pretty good with the toy type O gauge trains like Lionel. If this is the type of train that you plan to use, I suggest you visit the Classic Toy Trains forum here at Trains.com.

[philnrunt]

Every time I buy my girlfriend Dept. 56 I think about how nice it would be to build a layout with them. They have a (static) steam train,it looks close to S scale, but I dont think they maintain a tight scale between all of their items.
Some of their buildings are so nice, let us know what you decide to do.
Maybe I can talk her into another scale of railroading!

[StillGrande]

Not the buildings, but they make okay trees (can get them CHEAP in nearly Christmas sales - They are gone by Christmas). The bare trees are the best. There are also some fences and other items which can be used by other scales. I got a footbridge cheap, cut off the giant bird and painted some of the snow spots. Looks great.

[Anonymous]

Department 56 goes very well with On30 scale.

[Dr. John]

Some of their buildings are closer to S scale, while others are closer to O. Dept. 56 figures come out closer to G scale.

I use them each year with an O-27 Christmas layout.

[duker1]

I have built a 'Holiday Village' using several Dept 56 buildings and other scenery pieces. Also have quite a few buildings, people and scenery from JoAnn's Fabrics. And a couple other pieces from KMart. Have couple hundred people, and animals. 40 + buildings, and most are lighted. I use an HO scale train called the Dicken's RailRoad Co. Using HO compliments my whole village. Attention is shared by both the village and train set. Neither overpowers the other. And that's my humble opinion. The village is currently in storage awaiting move into new digs. It was around 70 sq feet at about 40" in height. Have aquired 2 more Dept 56 and many more JoAnn's buildings and people. Oh! Did I mention several buildings from Michael's were on the layout.

Duke....

[Anonymous]

I noticed this Xmas season that the local Wal-Mart carries items similar to Dept. 56 products - structures, trees, etc. at much cheaper prices too. I've also picked up small items from local Dollar stores such trees, fences and figures. I used some of the Xmas figures with my On30 items for my Xmas card scene. Not bad, fiveor six for a dollar!