Christmas Tree Layout Plans

There is a 3 times around that is nice but I can't find it. Someone will post it. Take a look.

The CFO made a royal stink about the size of the last layout that I set up. It made it as far as power-up checkout. I'll post a .pdf of it tomorrow.

The Lionel web site has a few options here based on their FasTrack product. I’ll likely go with one very similar to this option:

This is the layout the CFO really didn't like. The tree was up, but not decorated (yet) when this was put taken apart and away.

This is what I did last year.  It's both STD and O.  The whole thing was made out of xps foam.  After Christmas, I stored it up in the garage rafters so I'll be trying to reuse it this year.  The central tree platform is made out of wood.  If you have the ceiling height, then a tree platform is an easy way to squeeze in another loop.

I'll change it up this year but I'm not sure how yet.  I realize it's a little over-the-top but maybe you can get some ideas from it.

@MikeH posted:

This is what I did last year.  It's both STD and O.  The whole thing was made out of xps foam.  After Christmas, I stored it up in the garage rafters so I'll be trying to reuse it this year.  The central tree platform is made out of wood.  If you have the ceiling height, then a tree platform is an easy way to squeeze in another loop.

I'll change it up this year but I'm not sure how yet.  I realize it's a little over-the-top but maybe you can get some ideas from it.

Couldn't find a bowing smiley indicating the "we are not worthy", so the thumbs up will have to do!   (Wayne's World for anyone not knowing the reference )

That is pretty darn cool!  And I envy your ceiling height! (maybe not so much for heating though... )

I've never done anything that involved, but normally do an oval  loop of O84 FasTrack  on the outermost loop, then a tubular oval loop made up of O72 (though I think I eased it in recent years with either O81 or O96 for the 2 pieces closest to the straight edge of the oval on each of the 4 transition points).  Sometimes I may space it such that I can run one of those loops through a Hellgate Bridge.

Then I often add one or 2 small O31 loops on either side of the tree to run handcars or small motorized units (snow plows (which may actually pull a car or 2), speeders, etc).

I don't do anything fancy for scenery, but do have some of the O Gauge accessories that I will at least put out as a static decoration if I may not wire them up (Santa Pylon, Santa/Nutcracker/Gingerbread gateman, etc).  Maybe a couple Dept 56 or Lemax buildings.

I'll try to post some pics of previous years.  One time years ago when I was still in my apartment I incorporated the (new at the time) Lionel Swing Bridge in front of the tree.  Just static (never could have operated it in the space available), but had an odd shaped almost rounded triangle loop of track around the tree.  It was at floor level (for at least one or 2 pieces of track ) in the back and then rose using the stock risers to get to bridge height in the front.

-Dave

@Gilly@N&W posted:

This is the layout the CFO really didn't like. The tree was up, but not decorated (yet) when this was put taken apart and away.

I think I see your problem .  I know it's hard for us train guys, but tree decoration first, THEN assemble the trains.

Heck, I don't want to tip-toe around train tracks when decorating my own tree either!

-Dave

When my wife and I got married we compromised to have the trains and tree separate so that presents could go under the tree. We have a large reading nook in the back of our living room that is 3.5’x10’. This became the space for the Christmas layout. This setup allowed for two separate loops on the lower level and a trolley through the town. We had variations of this setup from 2010-2017.

After our daughter arrived in 2018 the overflow space for the furniture became the nursery. So I halved the platform and realized that was no fun.

After seeing some different Christmas displays such as the Henning’s Christmas Tree, I knew I had to go up.

The track diameters are O48, O42, and O36. This allowed us to run my polar express, my wife’s gingerbread junction set, and my daughters girls train plus 23 department 56 buildings.

This year I am adding a fourth O45 level and I am debating a loop of O54 on the floor.
-Ryan

Even though it's way too early, (blame it on covid) because other projects prevented working or playing on my basement layout this week, I put up the tree and the simple Christmas layout.  It's a 54 inch diameter loop on a layered foam platform painted brown and then white for snow effect. I planned to run a 1980's 0-4-0 Lionel switcher as usual but the rollers spark so terribly even after cleaning them and the track. So I dug out an old MTH Railking 0-6-0 switcher I am saving to send to my grandkids, changed out the old battery and it runs well. Pictures closer to Christmas.

@pennsynut posted:

Pictures closer to Christmas.

Ahhh, come on!

I only have 3.5 x 4 foot space, so I made a train board for under the tree and that board hangs in the garage in the off season.

Last year it had Marx O-34 on the inner loop and S gauge on the outer loop. This year the S gauge outer loop will be replaced by an O-42 loop of O-27 profile track made by K-Line.

The plan is to run 6 inch Marx and maybe some 3/16 scale Marx, and a bit of 3/16 scale prewar American Flyer.

Is this the Christmas tree support group forum?....glad I’m not the only one putting stuff up early....doesn’t hurt my feelings one bit....this is just a simple O60 oval, cram the middle with dept.56 crank it up with a ton of lights and let her eat.....when I’m off for holiday break, ......( the month of Dec & some of Nov.) ....this layout will see severe duty, 15-16 hours per day non stop....

Pat

@MikeH posted:

Ahhh, come on!

Lol. OK.

We’re all more than ready for Christmas. I keep the little tree up all year, so it only needs the cover taken off and everything dusted that stuck out. The layout will need some of these:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1216450

If you have access to a 3D printer and green filament, these are the most realistic printed trees we’ve found. It’s not a long or complicated print, but it might take awhile to get enough for a Christmas tree lot or small forest.