Trains IN The Tree - The Plans, by Bill Henning

Obviously a lot of work and planning done by Bill.

 

Great plans. I could never build one but my son surely can try. Thanks for the effort you put in in educating all of us.   Joe

Bill, a special thank you, for sharing this Christmas Tree Project. I will definitely be one to remember you, and your family business, when purchasing trains in the future............Brandy! 

 

I'll share your project with our Model Railroad Club Members..........Brandy! 

Thanks Bill, this is spectacular!  Couple of questions, can I substitute fast track with regular O tinplate?  Any special instructions for the track bases that circle the tree?  I have the OGR issue, but haven't read through it yet.  I'm planning on making one all white.  Thanks again!  

The problem with the tinplate tube style track is it does not have the needed selection of track diameters. Though with a little re-engineering you could probably make anything work.

friggin' uufta! that is awesome.

Fabulous and thanks for sharing the plans.  A classic!

Bill, thank you for making the plans for this great project available gratus to all here on the forum. It was a great article in the current issue of OGR magazine, a tribute to your design skills, imagination, and hard work.

     I did not get a chance to see the tree on display last Christmas but hope to see it this holiday season so please let us know where and when it will be displayed.

     While space limitations don’t allow me to run scale PE offerings due to the large curves needed , I do have all the traditional O-27 semi-scale PE motive power and carswhich are available including the original PE conventional set, the upgraded conventional PE engine with whistle steam effect, both the first LionChief and the 10th Anniversary LionChief PE sets, PE freight set, and the 10^th Anniversary PE modern streamliner diesel set.  I’d love to build your creation to run these sets but as said, I unfortunately don’t have the space it would take and that’s why I also have the newly released beautiful S gauge FlyerChief PE set.

     With its speed control, steel tender, fan driven smoke and snow covered cars with six wheeled trucks, this American Flyer set would undoubtedly look magnificent at a smooth constant speed  ascending and descending the tracks in the tree.

     So how would I scale down your O gauge FasTack plans to use S gauge FasTrack for a smaller version of your tree that would easily fit the allotted space in my home? How simple or difficult would it be? Is there a simple fixed reduction ratio that could be used to revise and downsize all the parts and pieces in your plan to S gauge FasTrack?

Would such a revision of your plans be a major undertaking?

Bill,

where and when will your display be up for public viewing? 

Sounds like a great P.E. collection to me. I agree that Lionel did a great job with the A.F. S gauge set.

 

To do an S gauge version would basically be starting from scratch. The difference in diameter of track effects the grade and all the dimensions. Somebody else asked about an S-gauge version too. As time arises I will probably try to work it out. Hard to resist a new challenge. 

 

The final details are being worked out now but it will be at the Hager & Schultz Building 327 West Main Street  Lansdale, PA 19446 Fri nights & Sat's Dec 4 through the 19th.

 

On a side note, (insert plug here) December 5th is National Lionel Train Day and we will be celebrating it here at our train shop with special storewide sales, product  demonstrations & give-a-ways and the tree display is only a few blocks away AND just a few blocks further on Main St we will have the North Penn O Gaugers modular club layout set up in its full glory running. Gonna be a can't miss day. More info soon.

 

Dec. 5th sounds like a great day for everyone who loves trains in Lansdale, Bill. BTW, wil the lNP O Gaugers be set up at the same fire station as they were for the recent Lansdale Day? If not there, then where, Bill?

(Also, not to impose on your time, but I certainly hope you'll someday be able to work out an S gauge version of your Train in a Tree display. I can just see that impressive scale appearing American Flyer PE Berkshire with its elongated cowcatcher, massive tender and impressive snow covered scale passenger cars effortlessly and steadily climbing and descending the grades of the tree journeying to and from the North Pole, complete with the Elf driven Flyer PE handcar circling in a small loop of track at the tree's summit!) If Lionel ever wanted a worthy and fitting way to showcase their S gauge American Flyer Polar Express set, they'd be wise to commission you to create a prototype S PE Train in the Tree dealer display. Nothing could top that appearance wise for Lionel in commercials, promotional appearances on tv shows or at seasonal train shows and exhibits.  

 

Hi Bill

    Congrats on an excellent project and article in OGR Magazine. Run 281 Page 42.

"Trains Under the Tree" / Try Trains in the Tree".

I also have enjoyed the video and watched it several times and will watch it again.

• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout”   

With the steep grades, tighter turns may be too much of a challenge for most locomotives.

 

 

Unless the tree is really stubby, I don't see how you would be reducing the grade, I'd have to see what you're planning...

 

Bill, exactly where on Main Street (and during what time) will the North Penn O Gaugers modular club layout be set up on Dec. 5th for Lionel National Train Day?  

Bill,

 

I really like my S gauge PE set as well. Great project to re-engineer the tree layout for it.

 

Ed Boyle

Looks like I have plans for 12/5! 

-Greg

Anyone who has the opportunity to see the "trains in the tree" up close and in-person should really not miss out.  I saw it on display last year, and this is surely destined to be a creative and memorable tradition for our time.  Great job, Bill. 

 

David

An S-gauge version would be nice but unfortunately the Lionel American Flyer FasTrack only comes in two different radiuses. I suppose we'd need to use something else like GarGraves.

Bill,

I don't see a measurement from the bottom of the tree section to the bottom of the first inner loop hole.

 

How do you reference the position of those holes?

 

Thanks.

 

 

EDIT  ok, it's referenced off the top level height, measured downward in 12" increments, correct?

Looks like measuring down from the top level works on A & B but not the case for the others. I should be able to add needed dimension today. (revised)

Thanks, Bill. I designed a track plan that is a 5.2% slope up and an 8.6%. Starts at 24" off of the floor and rises to 70". Tried to copy yours from the thread last year.

 

I need to possibly adjust the tree. I have not checked my six points yet against your heights.

Bill, nice job and wonderful cover shot. Don

Thank You, Bill. Now, I have to convince my wife to let me build this during the year so next year I can put this up In our living room for Christmas.

 

As the rest of article states, you will be adding a couple more details shortly that may help some people that actually attempt to construct this thing.

 

After you add the details, I will go on and start to build this item.

 

Again, thank you for the initial plans.

Bill,  thanks for sharing this great project,  I'm looking forward to the challenge of making one. 

Q; What connects the six uprights in the middle ?  I haven't picked up the Dec. lssue yet so if it's in the article let us know. 

 

Q;  is there lodging in your town ?   I'll be in the BaltiMore area in Dec. and it looks like you'r only a few hours out.  Would love to see it in person. 

Here is my go at the Train in the Tree

Looks like a great start on the tree.  How did the track test go?

 

There's a Homewood Suites in Lansdale.  Also check nearby towns of Montgomeryville and North Wales which have many more options (i.e., Courtyard by Marriott, comfort suites, etc...) and are just 10 minutes away at most.

 

David

Bill,

When the tree is being displayed...what is the timetable for running the train? Does it run all of the time? How many hours and days does it run? All day and night? Just wondering. Great project...that's for sure!

Paul

We ran a bumper car on it and it worked fine.  I will post a video soon.

Rob: Wow, tree is looking great. Looks like a mirror image of mine at that stage. Thanks for sharing. Any questions just drop me an email.

 

Boomer: On my tree the six sections are only connected together at the top and bottom. The bottom has angle brackets bolted between them and the top has the top circle that holds all together. I see Rob added triangular braces to hold the six together. Looks good. I am sure, like him, those with wood working experience will find several better ways for various aspects of the tree which is great.

 

My tree will be on display Fridays 5:00pm – 8:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-1:00pm & 5:00pm – 8:00pm December 4^th through the 19^th. (though Dec 5 looking for it to be open the full 10-8 day) Address is 327 W. Main St. Lansdale, PA 19446

 

The train pretty much runs the whole time during those open hours. If no one is there looking at it we’ll click it off for a rest.

 

There is the Holiday Inn at the Lansdale exit of the PA turnpike. We are about 10 minutes from there. Though the best place to stay is like David said, the Homewood Suites by Hilton. They are just a few blocks from us but I believe they cost a little more than the Holiday Inn.

Bill; I can not wait to see it this Christmas season.  What a great job you did on it. I live close and will be taking my grand kids to see it. Thanks for sharing . Franky-Ogee

Was it ever published what radius track was used?

In considerable detail, have you read the threads and the article?

 

The train starts its climb, at 1" per foot, with a lap of Lionel FasTrack 084" curve track followed by 072", 060", 048" then to 036" as it curves within itself to start its decent which contain all 036" at about 1" per 9.5". Around the top, at 7' above, is a single 031" circle for a trolley or something.

From this thread. Here it is, "THE" Christmas Tree Layout - Video Added

 

 

Sorry that I didn't make myself more clear. What I was looking for something more specific than generic numbers. Such as, a list of track needed, plans for the roadbed curves, etc.

Same question Jim.  Did you read the threads and the article.  For instance, the specific track inventory from the Dec OGR magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

No, because there wasn't a link to it. Found it all now.