Garrett's 2021 Christmas train layout

This is a neat thread - and really nice work, Garrett. It is so rare to have so much natural light to work with. The foam cutting thing gives a neat effect. My only suggestion is to go back to a single operating loop but keep the over and under; having the train traverse the entire span will lend interest to viewers - making it appear more of a journey.

Great layout work and excellent taste in music!

@Paul Kallus posted:

This is a neat thread - and really nice work, Garrett. It is so rare to have so much natural light to work with. The foam cutting thing gives a neat effect. My only suggestion is to go back to a single operating loop but keep the over and under; having the train traverse the entire span will lend interest to viewers - making it appear more of a journey.

yeah I had the same thought.  My past Christmas trains pulled about 20 cars.  A long train looks really nice traversing the layout.  But, I made the change for a few reasons which I will reveal later.  All good.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Garrett, You have a nice space for your Christmas layout.  I lost my previous space to my wife's quilting operation.  I'm all in favor of her doing it.  She retires tomorrow.  Yippee!  She needs to get her mind off nursing and work on her hobby more.

My Congrats to Nurse Boyce.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Thank you, Dallas!!

tonight's task was adding more piers under the elevated curves.  It really bothered me to see the O36 fastrack bending under the weight of the loco and tender.   Since I luckily purchased two of the MTH elevated trestle sets, I had plenty of extra piers to add.  Now, it's rock solid, and I have no fears about the train tipping over

here's a quick video of the layout with doubled trestle support

Very  Cool  Garrett  ! 

here's a closeup look at the MTH Operating Accessory 30-9120 Gabe the Lamplighter.  Some pics and then a video:

the LionChief Plus locomotive and tender

candy candy candy

and a video

Awesome candy train: Trains and candy make the season even brighter That Lionchiefplus engine is neat - good that it has speed control to tackle those grades.

I see that you are using the Dept 56 O Little Town of Bethlehem initial set of buildings.  I have picked up one of those and a couple others from the series for my layout this year.  When I get the detailed finalized, I'll post a pic on another thread.  But I wanted to let you know I appreciate that aspect of your layout.

@Paul Kallus posted:

Awesome candy train: Trains and candy make the season even brighter That Lionchiefplus engine is neat - good that it has speed control to tackle those grades.

some of those candy cars are quite heavy and the uphill grade is steep.  the LionChief Plus Odyssey cruise control feature is perfect.

@palallin posted:

I see that you are using the Dept 56 O Little Town of Bethlehem initial set of buildings.  I have picked up one of those and a couple others from the series for my layout this year.  When I get the detailed finalized, I'll post a pic on another thread.  But I wanted to let you know I appreciate that aspect of your layout.

thank you, sir.  it's easy to get caught up in all the hoopla, but Jesus is the reason for the Season

working on the backdrop.  a first for me.  I am using 1-1/2" foam.  It's sturdy and easy to handle.

PE train and MTH Nativity train.....

the backdrop is the most time-consuming element in the entire layout.  I made a piece for the middle section in the back.  also had to make some length adjustments to the other back pieces.  I am painting two coats of blue as a base sky color then will add some other hues to achieve the desired look.  the overall length is about 19'

Very nice!  Coming along well!

here's a closer look at the backdrop construction.  A night sky backdrop for my Christmas layout has been on my to-do list for several years.  I wanted to incorporate the look of a quilt and star elements to give this a really custom and cozy look.  I think that it will look fantastic when the layout is finished and the backdrop is lit only by the lights of the Christmas tree.

the first step is to mark the vertical lines with a level while the foam is attached to the table.   I make a few other reference marks then remove the foam and place on a table.  Then, I map out 4" squares.  Then, I sketch the quilt pattern.

the second step is to apply paint.  actually, I already applied 2 coats of blue before marking with pencil.  I used four colors- a medium blue, slightly darker blue, gray, and lavender.  I wanted to use colors that might be found in the twilight sky and complement each other in a custom quilt pattern.

Like I mentioned before, a unique backdrop has been on my to-do list for several years.  I think this turned out really well.  I finished the first panel today and it took HOURS of painting.  I think it's worth it, though.  This is going to look awesome illuminated at night by the Christmas tree lights.

let there be light!

the traditional Christmas village is shaping up nicely

Garrett, the live nativity and Bethlehem buildings are great!  All the scenes on the layout look great!  Very well done.

ok, I'm calling this done.  Had an open house today and was happy with the overall presentation.  I'll post some pics here and then two videos in follow-on posts

left side train - Strasburg Railroad passenger set.  This was my first train set purchased in 2011 at a local now closed LHS

right side - the LionChief Plus North Pole Central locomotive and tender pull the candy cars and cookies & milk cars.  This loco is a beast thanks to the weighty metal construction and Odyssey speed control.  It handles the incline with no issues

Excellent, Garrett!

here's a spotlight post on the MTH red arch bridge with Christmas lights.  It looks really impressive with the lights on and is still great looking when the lights are off.  Bought this a few years ago from Just Trains in Delaware.  This is the first time using it in a layout, and I should have used it sooner.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Excellent, Garrett!

thank you, sir!

in the next few posts, I will spotlight some features around the layout

first is a shelf for the transformers and remote controls.  this is the first time I built a specific place for the transformers.  it is very helpful to keep things organized and off the floor

Looks great!  The older I get, the less I like the floor.

spotlight on the control panels for the 10 operating accessories on the layout.  I used arcade game buttons and mounted them on some 1x5 lumber

spotlight on Rotating Aircraft Beacon Operating Accessory

spotlight on Frank's Hot Dot Stand Operating Accessory

spotlight on Crossing Flashers and Bell.  I have to fix the wiring on the right flasher

spotlight on Switch Control Tower Operating Accessory

@Garrett76 posted:

spotlight on the control panels for the 10 operating accessories on the layout.  I used arcade game buttons and mounted them on some 1x5 lumber

Excellent idea, well-executed! 

@Garrett76 posted:

in the next few posts, I will spotlight some features around the layout

first is a shelf for the transformers and remote controls.  this is the first time I built a specific place for the transformers.  it is very helpful to keep things organized and off the floor

This is soooo much a Mark Boyce THING. .......which is of course a good THING.