How to set up O Gauge train under Christmas tree

I use Lionel Fast-track. Works well right on carpet. The built-in track bed makes crossing over extension cords for the tree lights easy.

where can you purchase them at? How high do they raise the train off floor

Hi Bev, welcome and dont be afraid to ask anything. When you post, the more info included the bdtter. Take time to consider all opinions too, there is often more than a single "right way".

Our extension cords fit under old tubular track just fine for fifty years.   The ties leave a gap under the rails big enough for most household cords.

Fast track does not raise anything . In fact, the roadbed (a plastic representation of the gravel ballast and raised track bed) actually sits flush to the floor. You could make a slot in the plastic I suppose, but I actually see more issue with "roadbed track" use here, than any other track. The track joints are firm, and dont like kinks, like a cord under a joint might cause.

They have different tones produced during running, and slightly different quirks and fixes if there is an issue.

My choice is traditional tube track or Gar Graves.

The choice between them all is akin to Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge. They all work, it's just a matter of opinion and taste preference on looks and noise.

Normally a cord running under it won't upset the running on either type of track much. No electrical or running issues should be caused by close proximity or anything.

So either use a long strong branch to go over the top with a cord, or simply go under. Under works best imo. Over it, the cord tends to get snagged by something sooner or later.

Also to help keep cords out of the way are rubber/plastic trip guards. Cut one to fit between tree and track, then use the other piece just on the other side of the track to keep the loco from snagging the cord, seeing how they often seem to curl up into the way no matter what we do.

If you don't have track, there are many choices than may be better than FT or Tubular. Tubular is the most cost effective. Cheap, reliable. FT offers a more realistic look in a way. Those two are also most easily found at the drop of a hat also.

Whether you plan on a simple loop or adding turnout switches might be of importance for your choice,( as well as your area. Do you have a local hobby shop with O gauge?) Menards home improvement online offers tubular O very cheap. A hobbyshop would likely have both, but fyi, will push the new track mostly. MTH makes a track similar to Lionels FT too. I'm going to suggest Trainworld to get a handle on what a good price may be.

And upgrade would be Gar Graves or Atlas track. Both have a realistic look with more ties per section, GG has wood ties, Atlas has realistic plastic ties. You'd find those by hobbyshop or directly from them.

Oh and dont forget...we want pictures . (nothing is 100% free, lol)

Put them here or in one of the many Christmas layout threads, or start another.

Hope this helped some.

Buy the Fastrak.  It is easy to slip the cord under the roadbed--no issues whatsoever.  I've been running a Christmas Train under the tree for years on end.  BEST THING:  Buy a Christmas train set from Lionel or MTH.  You will have everything you need all at once.

Bev...take a look at all of the banners at the top of the pages.  Many of our sponsors can supply you with everything you need.  In addition, our print magazine has an index full of folks with ads as well as the dealer roundhouse in the back of the magazine...

Thanks,

Alan

Here is Lionel Fast-track on carpet running around the tree skirt.  Wires go between track base and carpet

Lionel Hallmark Toymaker Santa Express Ready To Run Train Set #6-11699

Start with a circle of O36 or O48. The Christmas sets have everything  you need, as already mentioned.

Polar Express and my old HO Rivarossi NYC Hudson under the tree. Fast-trac in O and HO!

Oh- and our cat too!

One thing I would purchase is a timer that could be connected to the transformer plug to shut the trains off after a period of time. 

I like to buy and use white felt as the bottom layer of the tree setup.  It is inexpensive material that can, later, be thrown away or used as garage rags.  The steps we take to set up our tree: 1. lay down felt.  2. set up the tree and decorate.  3. lay down the tree skirt.  4. set up the track and trains as a last step.

The felt is good for catching falling tree needles or cushioning falling glass ornaments.  But it does get smudged-up after one or two years of use.  We have tile floors, and the felt acts as a noise dampener (Lionel FasTrack or wood or tile can be LOUD).

This video shows a setup which is raised off the floor to a height even with the fireplace hearth (a one-time experiment). 

Tommy posted:

One thing I would purchase is a timer that could be connected to the transformer plug to shut the trains off after a period of time. 

I use a timer for my display as well.  I purchased a more heavy duty one so I can run everything through it.  I use a heavy gauge 3 receptacle extenstion cord from the timer and power the tree directly.  I also have a power strip with an on/off switch for the layout power.  With this setup, if I forget to shut anything off, the timer takes care of it.

Tony

The Lionel Fastrack is very robust. Don't be too worried about it further from the tree.

My only O scale layout these years is my Christmas layout, and its fairly large. With 072 curves around the living room floor. Toddlers and dogs step on it.

Have fun ....

We use tubular track laid on the carpet. For areas in our room with hardwood floors the track is supported by magazines wrapped with gift paper. It makes the track supports look like presents! Very festive. To keep the magazines from sliding on the floor we use some pieces of carpet base traction material.  We usually have four loops two with o72 and o96 curves for the scale trains and two with Kline o42 for the tinplate. 

I'll make a post on my Christmas layout when I finally get my tree up. But basically, I just throw up some tubular track under the tree, add switches, operating accessories, and plasticville buildings mixed with a few Department 56 here and there.

Santa knows -- toy trains and Christmas go together like holly & ivy. Here's my carpet layout under the Christmas tree with Junior Engineer (and great granddaughter Olivia (age 6) operating the train with a hand-held controller. The layout is a "wreath" design; I found the track plan on the Web.

Carry on ...

Mike M.