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

Under Santa's watchful eyes, the crew finally was able to place the multi-colored lights on the Christmas Tree. This tree is a D56 product from many years ago and came with blinking red lights. Adding the multi-colored lights to it makes it really POP. We had hoped that it would grab your attention and it really does. The lights also came in for the tree pedestal, so the crew installed them as well.

 

What's left for this project is to install some additional elves. We thought that 200 was enough for our Center of the North Pole, but alas, not enough to get the coverage we want.

 

From this project, I think we have accomplished a couple of firsts. We may have set a record for lights per square foot on an O-Gauge layout, and with over 550 elves on the layout, this may also be a first.

 

Our goal when starting this project this past January was to finish it by May 1st. Looks like we will meet our target.

 

Hope you like the photo.

That is AWESOME!

 

Chief Bob (Retired)

Brian,
Your layout looks spectlar!!  The lights look great!  I have always liked having different ways of lighting a Christmas layout. You have achieved that with your layout!

Brian - Your layout looks fantastic!  I'm guessing that the pictures don't do it justice either.  It will be forever Christmas on your layout.  Finishing it by May 1st will assure that the magazines and video makers will have ample time to feature it for next year's season.  Great job!

 

Art

all i can say is i know where i want to wake up Christmas morning!!! unbelievable how great this looks and i think you both have outdone any Christmas layout i have ever seen. a perfect setting for the polar express. PERFECT IN ALL ASPECTS!!!

Brian & Elizabeth

 

SIMPLY OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I LOVE IT

 

Alex

This is beautiful.  Looks like TM will need to return and shoot this wonderful Christmas layout.  Yep, I'd say you own the record for lights and elves, but that's how it should be on this type of layout.  Again...BEAUTIFUL!

Gorgeous work, Brian! When you set your mind to do a project--and on a schedule--you sure don't fool around!

Brian

 

There are just no words to describe just how great your layout looks. The tree is a fitting final touch. Some how I know not all has been revealed and look forward to the final surprise.  The CB&Q California Zephyr and the GN Empire Builder get rerouted to the North Pole? 

 

Doug

FANTASTIC!       

It looks fantastic. Hope to see it in person some day.

Brian and Elizabeth:

 

Hands down, this is the most unique display I"ve ever seen. The lights and accessories are spectacular...very rich in detail. Absolutely beautiful. 

Wow!!! You guys have really done it right. The lighting is superb. Can't wait to see the details in an OGR article. November issue maybe?

 

Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

It stinks....BECAUSE IT MAKES ME WISH IT WAS CHRISTMAS!

 

Really great job!  Beautiful!

Outstanding!...

 

I've been following this thread..and hope I didn't miss something...that something would be detailed info and pictures of the elves!...I for one really would like to know all about them!...

 

My very best regards...Howard...

I really like it, and I've become somewhat obsessed with Christmas the last few months, but why have a Christmas layout built in May, if I may ask? Like I said, I love it, but I fear I'd be sick of it by December.

WOW!!!

 

I think the two main elves on this project Brian and Elizabeth have taken holiday layouts to the next level...

 

Really really really well done Brian!

"I really like it, and I've become somewhat obsessed with Christmas the last few months, but why have a Christmas layout built in May, if I may ask? Like I said, I love it, but I fear I'd be sick of it by December."

 

The motivation behind this layout was to have a suitable layout to run both versions of the scale Polar Express Lionel trains, The Gold Edition and the Black engine with the blue/maroon coaches. We built it in a room located on the first level of our home that does not get much normal daily traffic. During much of the year, we go through this room only to get to our boat.

 

For us, the best time to take on a project like this was during the winter months. We get busy as soon as the ice drops in the lake and right up through late fall. For us to start this project in October and have it done to enjoy during the Christmas season would have been impossible. As it is, this took us nearly four months to complete with many long days involved.

 

Our plans are to have another OGR Forum Open House this summer and we also wanted to have it completed for this event. So starting it in January and completing it now makes complete sense, at least to us. And no, no chance we will get tired of it, now or by December.

Very cool Brian!. 

 

Nick

I'm reading the whole thread now, I had thought initially by the thread title this was going to just be a REALLY nice temporary setup (like many other member Christmas displays). I didn't realize it was permanent, though was thinking it should be. Makes a lot more sense, now. 

Love Love love It!!! 

Good for you both Brian.  You folks really work together nicely.  The layout is absolutely spectacular!  What type of boat do you have?  Do you fish?  If so, what is your favorite fish?  Bob S.

I might have to travel to Maine to see this, and that's a hike for me!

WOW!!!, WOW!!! and WOW!!!!!!!!!!. Fantastic.

"What type of boat do you have?"

 

Bob, sent you an e-mail.

Another FANTASTIC focal point of your PE-themed layout beautifully designed and executed--congratulations!!!

 

Note:  To view a compilation of the 18 photos PTC has posted in this thread, including today's photo, click on this link.

Brian and Elizabeth,

This is certainly a wonderful layout to display your PE locomotives and passenger cars.  Another ORG open house!  Hmm...I wonder how long a trip it is from Western Pennsylvania to Maine....

Love the X-mas Tree.

Absolutely beautiful Brian! I also love the Christmas tree.

Incredible!

 

Peter

This thread makes me smile.

   

WOW!   Looking at that tree and all those lights makes me wish it was still snowy winter time.   Who needs the warm weather of spring and summer.  It's 11:55pm Chrsitmas Eve.

 

Great Job, Brian and Elizabeth.

 

Very nice!

The Polar Express is what brought me into the hobby and where most of my train focus remains today.  This layout will just have to be seen in person in order to fully enjoy.  I cannot wait to see more pictures and/or video going over all of the details.  The lighting alone just makes this layout so beautiful.

 

I hope you can relax now over the summer with a sense of satisfaction and impending excitement of the fall and winter season to come with this beautiful layout.  Just outstanding.

Looks really cool! This is the kind of layout Santa probably has! Love the Northern Lights, those mountains need a Bumble peeking over them!

 

Jerry

This is why this hobby is so much fun.  Taking ideas and your imagination and building something this cool.  Looks fantastic! Just a top notch job.

Wow, PTC, This is an Amazing Display Layout, 2nd To None! The more pictures that you post, Its Certain That this Layout needs to be Pictured in The Centerfold of OGR THE MAGAZINE! Simply Beautiful....Your Work is Really Amazing. One day, I am coming to Maine!  Thanks for all the Pictures....Happy Railroading...

nice picture wow

Hey Guys.  

 

Can we get a shot of the troupe of elves?

Brian, on the way to the boat, I don't think I'd make it past the layout!

 

Museum quality all around.

Brian and Liz just STUNNING, that is what I thought last week on your York trip when you showed me your pictures. Now all the adjatives have been used what more can be said.

 

TM needs to make a return trip to video this new lay-out.

 

Hope to be able to get up there again to see this lay-out live.