I usually wait until the first week or so in November to start setting up the Christmas Layout. I do some prep work a few weeks prior though. Some of that prep work started as soon as the old Christmas layout was taken down.
My favorite part of the hobby is designing my layout for Christmas. I sit in my recliner and draw away for months until I like what I see. For me, it's pure enjoyment. I have washers of different diameters that scale to 27", 42", and 54" track curves which allows for me to virtually guarantee that if I can draw it, everything will fit.
Here's my plans for my 2024 layout
This is the 11'x14' lower track plan. That rectangle is where the 4'x8' "plateau" will be. The large outer loop will be traditional. The 2 inner tracks will by DCS command controlled.
This will be the elevated plateau area. I wanted a LARGE (for me) winter scene and this entire 4'x8' area will be all winter stuff. The T inside the circle is where the Christmas tree will be. I have a conventional Lionel Christmas steamer that will run on this track. I wanted the emphasis to be on the scenery not the train so just a simple loop.
I spend considerable time drawing up scenery ideas given the track plan that I want to use. Sometimes I adjust the track plan when I hit of an idea that I want to use for scenery. Not this year!
As this in gets closer to set up time in October, I take the Homasote pieces that will be needed from the garage and lay them out. They stand on edge in the garage and tend to bow a little, so I lay them out for 2 or 3 weeks to flatten out. It's one advantage to being single - notice there is zero furniture in my living room!
Wiring starts in a week. UGH!
- walt
