It’s that time of year again – thought it’s time for a Christmas model railroad edition!
“Hi Al,
This is Judy from Wyoming and I enjoy making scenery for railroads of all sizes.
This is one of my latest after we got the Jingle Bell Express train for under the Christmas tree.
I made sections on foam board, then placed them in and around the track, under the tree.
Judy”
“Hello Alastair
Wishing you and all our fellow modelers a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Here is just a bit of photo fun I had on my layout, when a man in a red suit and long white beard suddenly appeared, took the train from one station to the next and then was seen going down a chimney…
Henry”
Christmas model railroad:
“Hi Al!
I know it’s not up to par compared to other layouts, but this one encourages me to do more with the layout you see in the background.
Eric”
Eric has done a great job because it’s all about making that start.
You can look in wonder at so many brilliant layouts, but do you know what? They all had to start – at some point, they made their first layout.
Now on to Dan:
“Dear Alastair:
Enclosed is a shot to two cars I did, one for me with the Delaware and Hudson livery, the other for my brother in law who models the Union Pacific. These answer the question,”How does Santa get his reindeer food?”
I created the decals with the same process as I describer earlier on the pumpkin cars. As to the reindeer food, it is a dry sifted proprietory pig food mix donated by my nephew colored with some diluted raw sienna pigment.
It has the look of distillers grains, which is the by-product of making ethanol (US gasoline has 10% ethanol) from corn. It is used as silage. Ground-up rabbit food or any other dry material would work as food, including sawdust, which may even be preferrable. I top coated the loads with a flat medium to seal them.
If you can’t post, no worries, but thought you might enjoy a look.
Thanks, Al, and best wishes for the continuation of your wonderful site.”
Over the years there have been lost of Christmas layouts – here’s another:
Model railroad Christmas layouts.
Dale’s is great too:
And Scott’s:
Now on to Todd.
He’s not making a Christmas layout, but it looks like it’s going to be good:
“Good day to you al I have been wanting to send you some pics I just don’t know alot about hi tech devices. Let me know if you need want to know more about this layout ho scale 36×14 midwest theme.
I use duct sealer for my scenery very pliable just spread with a brush and paint there you go water clean up piece of cake.
Have a great one!
Todd”
A huge big thanks to Todd.
I always get mails asking why I post ‘half built’ layouts – it’s simple because that’s where the fun and the magic is.
What’s more, it shows that every layout is just a mess at first, so never be afraid to get going and make a start.
Hope you enjoyed the Christmas model railroad – should I post a few more? Please let me know in the comments below.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
very nice. looks like santa is on the job.
We would like to wish everyone A Very Merry Christmas, & that includes you to Al along with all the families with & behind all of you making these great layouts we see here thanks to the hard work of Al getting them up. Sadly I (Heather) have been out of action for most of this year & next year too, I need a operation sadly I miss doing our layout most of all Jason will not work on it because I am up stairs and not down there working with him on top of that he is taking care of me as I can’t walk or stand but we will get back to it one day but I still get to enjoy all the displays you send in thankyou group & thanks Al for all the hard work putting them up, Merry Christmas & A Safe and Happy New Year too.
Merry Christmas to all who cherish model railroading and its memories of long ago Christmas layouts! Special blessings to our host Al for sustaining our memories! Blessings from Pastor Larry!
You have gotten way ahead of yourself . Should have finished the room first concentrate on the track layout,mountains,buildings,landscape.in that order. Looks like you’re doing a little of each at the same time.
I hope there is enough Rolling Rock to complete the layout. 😆
I love the grain elevator! In a past life I worked at one very similar to the model. The only thing missing is a “truck dump” pit and hoist platform. But, I notice that it is a work in progress layout. Maybe he has yet to add it in the future. In the meantime the structure is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
The stories and pictures of Christmas scenes on train layouts is getting me in the Christmas mood. Thank you all, Rob
I love seeing the Christmas posts. Show more. Thanks for all that you do.
Todd, That’s one heck of a grainery you have made. Looks good.
All the display’s look awesome, excellent job everyone. Merry Christmas to everyone including Alastair and John (the awesome building designer)
I like to see half-done model train layouts. It allows me to learn about different construction methods. While I never copy anything outright, I do plan to incorporate a few ideas/scenes that I really like into my own layout.
I marvel at how well you all do with scenery. I have totally enjoyed all of the Christmas displays that are coming up here on a daily basis. Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your displays. On another note I am currently working on a 7′ X 6′ soon to be a 7′ X 13′ L shape N scale. But I have never done scenery and I’m not sure on how to start.
Fun!!! Merry Christmas to all
I so enjoy seeing the progress on everyone layouts. Always an inspiration.
I enjoy seeing the Christmas layouts as I am spending Christmas in Mexico and there are very few Christmas trees here. 😉
The sun is nice though!