Here is last Christmas.
First time in a long time, I'll have trains under the tree. Two loops of Gargraves plastic tie Phantom track with the inner loop elevated; the track was recently purchased from a couple of OGR members--thanks guys.
Both trains will be my childhood sets: a 675 freight, and Southern 2356 AA's pulling 2500 series aluminum cars.
After seeing Chris' video, I'll need to put a Starbucks 2003 Mack truck under there as well.
Pictures later.
My wife got a new fake tree, about three feet tall, I may have to switch to Z scale.
YES! We will have two; one under my wife's "prissy" tree in the living room. That will be a twice around layout (based on Keith's design). The track has been there all year as the Littles (one grandson, 4, and three granddaughters, 1,2,3) love it and each visit I get "choo-choo, choo-choo!". The 9' tree in the kitchen, the tree we use as our "real" tree, will have a bumper Christmas trolley that I just found used (at Henning's), on a window seat. Wish I could do more but space restricted.
As for trains, it will be the Lionchief Polar Express if I can get my tender coupler repaired in time (too many little hands "disconnecting" the cars). Else, it will prob be a PE GP-7 and some freight cars.
YES, for the first time in about 18 years.
I bought the PE just for the tree layout. I already have lots of Dept 56 houses, figures and other good stuff.
I bought the PE just for the tree layout. I already have lots of Dept 56 houses, figures and other good stuff.
maint,
You bet, Christmas in our home has always had a Train under the tree,
there is no doubt that God's son plays with a train on his birthday, President Reagan along with my Grandfather and Father are there watching him and God smiles down on all of them. No doubt it is the largest train room ever created, some day I hope to gain access to that room myself.
Rich not to worry, I will put a good word in for you, for all you do here on the OGR forum!
PCRR/Dave
I will never be to old to have a train under my Christmas Tree.
2 trees, probably 2 trains. Our main tree sits in a 6x6 platform with tubular track and 0-31 curves. My Mother gave my son a Lionel WWII Army Troop Train for his first Christmas in 2000. I built the layout for the following Christmas, and it has been up every year since, and we always use Jarrett's train. The tree is mounted right into the platform, and I wired in 4 outlets and a switch for the tree lights. I trimmed the whole thing with oak, so it looks nice, since it will stay up until the end of January.
We set up another tree in the basement, and I normally run a train around that, either with Fastrack, or Bachmann EZ Track for an 0n30 set I received as a gift. However, I have been actively working on my new layout down there, so the track might get in my way. I may try to find a new spot for the tree, so I can still have my extra train.
I'll probably start setting things up this Sunday.
Yes,every year since I was little many years ago,now it is an ETS Passenger set that I bought in Prague 10 years ago,the grand kids run and love it.
Mikey
you betcha
The Looney Tunes Express will be on the carpet central for the holidays.
We do this every holiday season and its become a family tradition.
Jon
there sure will be might be quite big this year 5x1o with an elevated extension , PE, my christmas train with alternating, 681, 2035 for power, my grandfather passed away yesterday, his sister worked in the hillside plant, he gave everything away before i was born except for an 1120, i'll have to run this year too, it's now the one of the most treasured engines i have, might give a place on display next to my original 681 from my dad. dad is also gone, that 681 long since retired and in my living room year round.
Murnane; great videos of the kids.
Thanks Spence, these videos have become almost like treasures to me, more valuable than all the gold in the world...
Best...Rich
Originally Posted by Spence:
Murnane; great videos of the kids.
Would it be Christmas without a train under the tree? Some of my best memories are my Dad putting an angel on the top and a train around the bottom!
Yes! We've always had a small loop with some christmas cars, but a few weeks ago my dad told me "i like having the trains around the tree, but...this year let's go all out". My trains have been in boxes since I left for college, so I've been beyond excited to get everything out for the holidays. My grandmother passed away this summer so I think we're all feeling a little extra nostalgic this Christmas.
There will be an o27 figure 8 with a Lionel 2026 and postwar freight cars (what's christmas without Lionel postwar?)
an o-31 oval with christmas cars headed by a k-line 0-4-0 PRR steam switcher
and an o-42 oval with a k-line PRR mikado heading a k-line tuscan broadway limited madison set
there will also be a cirlce of o27 in the outer loop of the figure 8 to run the k-line coca-cola polar bear handcar I forgot I had.
This will all end up larger than that 4x8 table i used to be confined to; the goal is to have long enough straight aways for the 4 car passenger set to actually stretch out.
I start building next weekend when i'm home for thanksgiving; for now i've been spending nights after work in front of the tv cleaning track: almost through the bin!
Yup!
The PM/PE is running downstairs even though the tree is not in place. PM1300 is hard at work shunting freight cars off the main as passenger traffic takes precedence this time of year.
The upstairs tree layout has yet to be begun, but will probably consist of two reverse loops and a longer trolley line for this season.
The polar express like I do every year. Check out the latest copy of OGR, there is a photo of my son with his polar express under the tree last year in the "readers rails" section.
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David:
Your Christmas tree and other decorations are superb.
positively what would Christmas be without a tree and a train running around it. this year the general set will be pulled out of the box and a smile will come across my face.
Probably not. If I do it will have to be removed before Christmas to make room for the gifts that go under the tree. My wife or I neither one had trains running under the tree as kids, just a pile of gifts for the family, so a train under the tree has never been "traditional" at our house.
Besides, my layout is in the living room and the tree will go right beside it anyway! lol
My layout circles a tree that stay in place all year, so yes.
no not this year, have 3 little grandkids being followed by a 2 year old dashound that will be running under tree..
Hope to have Polar Express in G, O and S this year. The S and O will have an expanded oval to accommodate the gifts. Although there will probably have to be some plywood tunnels wrapped in felt to put over the tracks on the sides to allow for the presents. Anybody have any other solutions?
Here's a look at my uncle's layout. He only takes them out for the grandkids though...
No and I can remember only one year that we did. I do love the traditional look and appeal of it though. Many great pictures of layouts here to make up for it.
Art
Yes, and it will be the same 1469WS set I received from Santa in 1949.
There isn't enough room in the area reserved for our Christmas tree for both trains and gifts, so no. But I do put up a loop of 027 track in the basement, where I can run my parents' prewar tinplate Christmas trains. They're a big hit with Christmas visitors.
Of course! Although I don't do as nice of a layout as I did before I got the permanent layout, I still put up a loop of Fastrack under the tree, with two Marx tunnels.
About 1996
Here was my layout last year (almost always the same layout, but the train may change)
If I find out that I will still be substituting for the same teacher for a few more weeks, I might also set one up at school. This is what I did last year (the kids loved it, and my 675 didn't let them down):
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Certainly!!...Have had some sort of train under the tree since the early 1960's!!
Alan
Well maybe I should. I haven't even put the tree up since I lost my Leg
3.9 years ago. I am feeling good this year. Last year I could not lift anything more then 10lbs since I had a Valve replaced in November. Well I'll ask my Son and we will see. If we don't I'll just set up the trains this year.
Scot
My mean side says Don't ask him ...tell him. I bet you both will feel even better.
Larry
David,
I agree with Passenger Tran Collector, your home decorations, tree and train are just outstanding and I look forward to seeing the pictures each year.
PCRR/Dave
Originally Posted by Pine Creek Railroad:
David,
I agree with Passenger Tran Collector, your home decorations, tree and train are just outstanding and I look forward to seeing the pictures each year.
PCRR/Dave
David, I am with these guys I think its great. My daughter saw the pics last night and said it reminded her of Christmas decorations in Germany where I was stationed for 15yrs
Doug
Originally Posted by leavingtracks:
Certainly!!...Have had some sort of train under the tree since the early 1960's!!
Alan
Alan,
I wouldn't want to be the one to cast any shadows of doubt 
. There are those on the forum who would find that hard to believe 
. That would make you an old man like the rest of us 
.
God Bless,
"Pappy"
Larry Sr. Well I had my son out in the garage with me and when I told him I wanted to put up the tree this year boy did I get the Look from him. He Said it took us 2 months after Christmas the last time we had it up 2 years ago. And honestly I have no memory of this because I told him its been 5-7 years without a tree.
Well I now have a tree in the breezeway waiting to be put up after next week. All I can do now is to check the lights and see if they work or run to Walmart and buy some. So I would like to thank maint for starting this post and putting me in the Christmas mood.
