Question about simple 4'x6' Christmas layout

You could get some tinplate track in 0 or 027 and put a second loop inside the fastrack loop for two separate trains running.  For the tree, honestly that would be my preference, but any train is a good train!

I wouldn't be able to fit another loop inside the O36 loop as the tree stand is pretty big. I would have to go outside the fastrack loop but then I hit the 48" limit.

I created a Halloween layout on a 4x6 piece of plywood. I am running a Std. Gauge 42 loop around the perimeter and an O Gauge O-31 circle on the right side. You can fit a tree stand for a 4-6ft artificial xmas tree in that circle, as I had that up on my Upstairs O Gauge Layout. Without so any scenery goodies, as this layout has- an O-31 loop, and possibly an O-36 small loop can easily fit inside the Std. 42 Loop. I will be turning this into a Christmas layout soon.

Are you willing to go with a 031 loop on the inside?

@ADCX Rob posted:

Are you willing to go with a 031 loop on the inside?

I think our tree stand has 28" diameter so putting O31 loop inside the O36 may be a tight squeeze.

I was looking how to isolate the original layout but couldn't figure out how to do it for the inner siding since the 1 3/8 pieces wouldn't fit. So now I am thinking about something like that. Kids could have two trains parked on the spurs and the 1 3/8 pieces will have switches to enable/disable power to the tracks. I may even have some space between the main loop and the spurs to put some buildings. Better or worse than my original layout? What do you think?

@drabina posted:

I think our tree stand has 28" diameter so putting O31 loop inside the O36 may be a tight squeeze.

Wow how big is your tree?

@dmestan posted:

Wow how big is your tree?

It is about 8ft tall but since we are getting a live tree, my wife always picks the widest one. Two or three years ago a fully decorated tree fell down so we got this beefy stand that's probably rated for double what we need. At least all is stable now and nothing falls.

Do you have room to extend the layout next to the tree?  I used to set up my village next to the tree with an outer loop that ran around the tree.  So your smaller inside loop would go next to the tree, not around it.  And by doing this we could still put gifts under the tree.

Don

@dmestan posted:

Do you have room to extend the layout next to the tree?  I used to set up my village next to the tree with an outer loop that ran around the tree.  So your smaller inside loop would go next to the tree, not around it.  And by doing this we could still put gifts under the tree.

Don

No space outside of the designated area. I don't want to push my luck with trains and take more living room area.

So what do you guys think about the second layout with two spurs where two trains could be parked? Good, bad or ugly? Remember that this is just a temporary layout for a month or so. I am not going for something sophisticated for a permanent layout. I can always change it next year.

I used to place a straight track that went nowhere just to display Christmas box cars that I couldn't fit on the loop, looked fine.

If you can't fit a second loop maybe your original idea may work.  There are ways to automate when 1 train pulls in, it stops and the other pulls out.  I've never done this myself but there are many people here that could explain how to do it.