Christmas Layout Concerns

[runtime]

Hi folks. Visiting the forum after an extended absence.  

Finally have (mostly?) completed the 'around the tree reversing loop' extension from my semi-permanent floor level layout in the adjacent room...Found a napkin indicating I first sketched out the Phase 2 additions to the existing layout over two years ago. Lest everyone think that I move at true glacier speed, Plase 2 did involve the addition of 8 new turnouts feeding various sidings, bypasses, as well as the exit to the adjacent room. Plus there was an extended 'Permitting Process' involved.

So here's my concern: I just erected our freshly cut, 9 foot Frasier fir in the middle of the loop. As a precaution, I first layed a plastic sheet over the track. [Track and reversing loop switch are Super '0' mounted on 1/4" plywood raised 3/4" off the floor.] The plastic will collect the needles that fall while I'm stringing lights and decorating the tree, but I'll obviously have to remove it to run the trains. I'm wondering what the risk is to my postwar engines if they encounter a few pine needles? I'm contemplating roofing over the whole loop - to catch the needles - could also serve as a secondary display level in future years. Would that be the safe thing to do? Am I overly concerned? 

Thanks,

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[balidas]

I would think a regular vacuuming of the layout would help prevent any suicide by pine needles. I have not heard of any problems with pine needles and I don't ever remember having any problems with them.

[SantaFe158]

My parents got a real tree the first year or two they lived in our house.  My dad had his/my grandpa's postwar trains under the tree which dropped a ton of it's needles.  He said they were always shorting out.

When I pulled the trains out to run about 10-11 years later, I still found pine needles inside of them while I cleaned them up.

We've never had a real tree since I was born so I really can't say for sure.

If it's just a few, try to pick up as many as you can and the rest shouldn't be a problem.  Just keep an eye on it throughout the season.

[dougdagrump]

How about constructing a platform, the same size as the loop, and use fake snow to make it look like the train is running thru a snowshed.

[lynbrookyankee]

We always get a real tree and have never had a problem with tubular and now fastrack. I regularly vacuum the track to pick up the pine needles. As a kid I remember the problem was with tinsel - those metal strands were always falling & shorting out the trains.

[balidas]

Now that you mention it, I also remember some tinsel trouble.

[sir james I]

Pine needles in the engine was never a problem that I saw, but carpet lint and tinsel were a major Christmas time repair at our hobby shop.

EDIT: to be clear, not my store but where I worked part time.

[runtime]

Just checking back.  Thank you all for you replies.... I had been thinking about the shed idea...it's the way I would go...if it proved necessary. So far I've been covering the layout with plastic while decorating the tree, and ony uncovering it to run trains. But wife would like to see it uncovered permanently.."the trains are soo cute"... so I may take my chances...Sap is another of my concerns...? The shed concept will probably give me the most piece of mind...for next year.  I'll put up pictures or video shortly.

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