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 Posted - December 16 2012 : 9:40:57 PM
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I didn't see any Christmas thread, so here's our Christmas tree layout for the year. I'll be the first to admit it isn't much. We're still working out how things fit into the new house, especially the gas stove I'm working on just to the right of this picture. Because of that we kept it small:
I'm running a ZW and modern Fasttrack. The cars are postwar, and the locomotive alternates between my 2037, 2328, the Chessie shown above, and a couple modern Lionels from sets I picked up. (That gives me an idea...I'll put one in LOTW!) Actually, every time I try to run anything but the Chessie I get complaints from one of the girls. Even my 2-year old loves Chessie.  I recently added the 6-5906 sound activation button to run my modern whistles and horns. It works, but not great. Plus, the Fasttrack on the hardwood is so noisy you can barely hear the modern sounds.
Anybody else got a Christmas train?
Edited by - burlington77 on December 19 2012 11:01:19 PM
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Posted - December 16 2012 : 10:13:26 PM
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quote:...Because of that we kept it small:
Originally posted by burlington77Â -Â December 16 2012Â :Â 9:40:57 PM
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I read that then saw the ZW and had a literal LOL moment! 
All kids love Chessie. Or at least they should ;) My girls would have a royal fit if I evicted her or changed roads, but fortunately for them I'm still a kid at heart :)
Nice setup... doesn't need to be too elaborate to get the job done around the tree. And it's not just Fasttrack that's loud on hardwood - if anything old-school steel track is worse! I knew it was bad enough in the same room, but the first time I was downstairs and the girls turned on the train on the floor above me, I thought it was going to collapse with a jackhammer...!
My setup is similar, but I don't have many pics. I do have a video from about 3 years ago when I modified a building to go with it and play music, etc.
The train makes an appearance around the 4:10 mark... you can hear how loud it is.
If you want your kids to have fun, do two things:
1) get some gondolas, hoppers, flats, etc they can load... beyond obvious play, mine love making passengers with the nativity scene, which provides endless amusement (one year we spent days looking for the baby Jesus, and finally found him in the Chessie boxcar, ha ha!). I added one of these - even an auto carrier - every year. It finally reached the point where the train is too long, but they have a blast.
2) let "Santa" fill those same cars with candy and other goodies... yeah. Instant win.
Talk about forging a tradition: owing to a chaotic schedule I actually almost decided not to bother with the train this year - my kids (including the 8yo who is getting jaded beyond her years) set me straight right quick!
Edited by - spiderj76 on December 16 2012 10:18:03 PM
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Posted - December 16 2012 : 10:21:57 PM
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I was gonna run fix up my O scale MTH 2-8-0 and run it around our tree, I did fix the pins that a plug in connect to but for some reason the engine just stopped working the next day. Knowing I wouldn't finish working on it soon I busted out my spare EZ track and assembled a good loop and brought some engines and rolling stock from my layout in the garage. Lots of fun to run!
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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Posted - December 16 2012 : 10:22:19 PM
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quote:
I read that then saw the ZW and had a literal LOL moment!
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I know it's overkill, but what can I say? I guess I have control issues.
I used to use the 1033, but the ZW's just more fun. Except that time my daughter derailed some cars across the track and before I could get them off the hookup wire melted.
It's hard to see in the picture, but we've got exactly what you're talking about: a hopper with little presents, a gondola with Santa and his reindeer, and a gondola full of Christmas trees. There are also numerous little snowmen and other things that go for rides, not to mention baby Jesus who just last week found his way into a dollhouse in the girls' room.
SCVR66: I just saw your layout. Looks like a great start! I ran a simple HO loop like that for many years.
Edited by - burlington77 on December 16 2012 10:23:59 PM
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Posted - December 16 2012 : 11:27:29 PM
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I set up a small oval of Lionel 0-27 at my wife's flea market / craft booth a few weeks ago at her request, it's been really popular with the kids, and adults. I have a green hopper and red caboose, so it fits the Christmas theme. :) We put leftover Halloween candy in it and were giving it out to the kids. Lots of fun! Sorry I don't have any pics available right now.
jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - December 19 2012 : 8:54:08 PM
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Here's my train around the tree. This engine was upgraded with a CD ROM motor and it's a smooth runner.
-Thomas
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Posted - December 19 2012 : 9:19:57 PM
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| Very nice, Redwoods. The CD motors really do work.
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Posted - December 19 2012 : 10:15:49 PM
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| real cool guys But shouldn't the thread read 2012 & not 2013?
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Posted - December 19 2012 : 11:00:02 PM
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Uh-oh...you're right. I changed it.
Edited by - burlington77 on December 19 2012 11:01:48 PM
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 01:52:28 AM
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Merry Christmas Y'all!
From the North Pole and Southern
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 11:25:46 PM
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| That last picture's like a 1950's sci-fi monster flick. "The Cat That Conquered the World" or "Attack of the 50ft. cat" or something.
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Posted - December 25 2012 : 7:41:32 PM
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quote:That last picture's like a 1950's sci-fi monster flick. "The Cat That Conquered the World" or "Attack of the 50ft. cat" or something.
Originally posted by burlington77Â -Â December 24 2012Â :Â 11:25:46 PM
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This is the one I really have to worry about!
I'll think the train has gotten past her, then WHAM! Out comes the paw and there goes the caboose!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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