2015 Christmas Layout Progress Report, the Final Stages for Completion-New Photo Added Apr. 29th

Found it for you Rick, 6-38052.

Thanks a million!!

I am headed toward the Legacy version 6-11455 of the Pere Marquette of your steamer.  I want to create the PE as you have done including the tender.  The PE Tender would be icing on the cake. I found the Legacy model number for the PE tender - 6-11151.  Does it have any of the Tom Hanks crew talk on it as in the Polar Express Movie??

Thanks,

RickM46

"Does it have any of the Tom Hanks crew talk on it as in the Polar Express Movie??

Thanks,"

 

Yes, but not close to the new one that has a lot of PE sound bites.

Thanks!!

RickM46

Have you thought about whether you will stop posting updates at any point throughout the year?  As much as I'm enjoying seeing the progress, it might be nice to stop at a certain point so you can reveal the final product in the 2015 Christmas Photo thread. 

Do you, or will you have only a Christmas layout?  Or maybe this is the permanent layout and then add Christmas decorations when the time comes?

.....

Dennis

Lee and Brian,

Thanks, its exactly where I am in track building. Very useful information. 

JohnJr

Towdog, there are elements of this project as we go forward that we will not post until we are finished. Good suggestion and we had already decided to go this direction. Gotta have some surprises.

 

Dennis, this is 100% a Chirstmas layout. The theme is a trip to the North Pole by way of the Polar Express. Our main layout has a winter theme included in it. We got an early start because that's what you do in Maine in winter with over 50" of snow on the ground.

"We got an early start because that's what you do in Maine in winter with over 50" of snow on the ground."

 

I here you. I miss my layout a lot while we're in Florida but I don't miss the snow.

.....

Dennis

 

Big step forward today after more than a week working on Hugger Mountain. It is now ready for Elizabeth to work her magic with the painting. What a bear of a job. It is 24" wide and tapers back to the wall, 8 feet long, and goes up 4 feet above the layout. Much bigger job than I anticipated. We have to finish this project first before we can proceed with the rest of the layout's scenery.

 

Elizabeth had not been idle while I have been crafting the mountain. She has completed 56 elves on her way to over 200 for the center of the North Pole. Our ice field is ready to be installed next that should reflect the mountain very nicely that rises in the background.

 

Haven't  posted to this thread for awhile, so this is a good opportunity to let you all know we are working on it.

Outstanding, can't wait to see the results of your efforts.

 

Kids will be coming for miles to see this great Christmas layout!  Hope Santa stops here first-when he sees that incredible Christmas tribute, he'll want to stay all night!

Oh Boy! 200 Elves! Can't wait to see that.

Lots of hard work is evident in this special project Brian.  You and Elizabeth are doing a fantastic job. 

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

Wonderful! Just wonderful!

 

Uncle Al

Amazing!  Your plans light the imagination, can't wait to see the reality.

"Oh Boy! 200 Elves! Can't wait to see that."

 

Actually, when you consider all of the Department 56 elves, there should be over 400 elves in the new Christmas layout.

 

We put a great deal of thought into the planning stages and have fine tuned them as the work has progressed. The basic plan and theme have not changed however.

 

Today, I hope to continue the work on the 160 ft. of curved arches that will line the elevated track on both sides. I have many of them done, but I have to do some customizing to accommodate the supports that hold the deck system up that are not all at the same distance, particularly around the curved end.

 

And with all of the snow we get to look at while we are working on the layout, it sure puts you on the mood to build a North Pole layout. 

Well done Brian & Elizabeth!  Remember it's all in the pace, so pace yourself.  Must be having fun.

Brian,

   You and Liz are on your way to having another great layout, you know how much I like Christmas layouts, even when we had the office/gameroom permanent train layout up, we had a Christmas layout in the formal living room.  Looks like you have put a lot of engineering thought into a complete Christmas room layout and she is shaping up real nicely.  I do wish you would consider a Tin Plate Christmas Train, it would be incredible

in your Christmas room with all the Elves!

Great job brother, always remember the Supreme Architect is watching, no doubt he approves 100%.

Would love to see some pictures of your complete Masonic Train running in the Christmas room some time.

PCRR/Dave

 

Our Christmas Box Car Train, this year.

Sounds like great progress Brian and Elizabeth.

Your new layout is looking Great!!  
I can't think of a better way to combat cabin fever.!
With the weather you've been getting up in your neck of the woods- you can take your time....more snow is on its way!!!

.I think you found the key to fighting the Winter Blahs - knowing it's coming and strategizing in advance.

Thanks for posting.

K.C.

Brian

 

I have been following this great interest and yes I feel like a kid who is getting glimpses of his present but will not get it until the end of the year.. But that's ok, as this will be well worth the wait. I have a few question on wiring the buildings and street lights, but will send an email off line if its ok with you..

 

Doug

Today we finally completed the work on Hugger Mountain. The gold Edition PE Berkshire was the first to make it through the finished tunnel. Santa dispatched his best engineering and construction elves to make this happen. Now with two different PE scale trains, Santa wanted a 2-track system to enter the North Pole. The elves did a magnificent job completing this work in record time.

 

Hope you enjoy the photo. 

 

 

WOW!!!! You all work fast!!

We need more photos!!

Wow - stunning picture!

-Greg

Great photo; thanks for posting it, Brian.

Have you posted pictures of the elves or have I misses them..really would like to see them up close...thanks...Howard...

http://www.littleglitterhouses.com

I have not posted any photos of the elves to date. Big project still being worked on.

Brian and Elizabeth, I just got done reading your story here of your north pole and the great pictures you have been providing. I have to say you 2 have the in-site and Heart it takes to do such an wonderful job. Everyone here would be so proud to produce this for there own home, family and friends! Again GREAT JOB.

Very nice, Brian & Elizabeth. The tree's and mountain blend extremely well....can't wait to see more!

Very nice, your Gold PE Berkshire looks awesome coming through your tunnel.

Testament to the power of two snowed-in model train/Polar Express enthusiasts!  What a great shot.  And simply amazing what you have accomplished in such a short time.

Looking beautiful!  Those tunnel portals are nice.

Dang, all my elves ever do is drink my booze and fall on their faces. Some guys have all the luck.

Now I know for sure, I'm lazy.

 

Or, is it that reading all the posts about your project are keeping me from getting mine done?

Yeah... that's the ticket! (Jon Lovitz)

 

Dave

Awesome looking mountain. How'd you build the rock work?

Howard,

great web site.  I'll have to spend more time there.  Thanks!!

 

 

Brian,

Wow, Santa's engineer and construction elves really work fast and do a great job!!  I wonder if they use some of that magic elf dust?

nice picture of those lionel trains

Hi Brian, you and Elizabeth are building an awesome layout!  The portals and mountain look like works or art.  All the best, Dave

 

PS -- While you are getting tons of snow,  our ski resorts here in Washington State have barely any snow and are mostly closed.  Its been 55 and sunny for the past week in Tacoma! 

Awesome photo

I think you are just trying to tease us, with only one measely photo............and it's working.

 

Richie