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I should probably blame my brother, but really, it's a combination of things. It all started when I was watching a series on Prime called Grimm. Somewhere in season 4, there was a Christmas episode titled The Grimm Who Stole Christmas, which featured an incredible Christmas train layout. It was nothing like authentic—pure fantasy, and I loved it.
I should probably blame my brother, but really, it's a combination of things. It all started when I was watching a series on Prime called Grimm. Somewhere in season 4, there was a Christmas episode titled The Grimm Who Stole Christmas, which featured an incredible Christmas train layout. It was nothing like authentic—pure fantasy, and I loved it.
Not long after, I was at my brother’s place. He had just returned from tearing down someone’s train layout, and he offered me some of the platform pieces. As soon as I saw them, everything sort of came together—at least in my mind. You would not believe the math that went into determining the dimensions of the six supports needed for a roughly 27 in radius. I resorted to drawing it in AutoCad.
Not long after, I was at my brother’s place. He had just returned from tearing down someone’s train layout, and he offered me some of the platform pieces. As soon as I saw them, everything sort of came together—at least in my mind. You would not believe the math that went into determining the dimensions of the six supports needed for a roughly 27 in radius. I resorted to drawing it in AutoCad.
Pieces as provided from my brother.
Pieces as provided from my brother.
So thinking an elevated section around the tree would be cool, I returned from Home Depot with more wood. And then figured out how to cut a circle. That is a blue felt tip pen stuck in the end of my circle making apparatus.
So thinking an elevated section around the tree would be cool, I returned from Home Depot with more wood. And then figured out how to cut a circle. That is a blue felt tip pen stuck in the end of my circle making apparatus.
Seeing the connection to the table my brother pointed out I would need to make a figure 8 and cross the tracks where the enter the table. I worked out the incline to 4%.
Seeing the connection to the table my brother pointed out I would need to make a figure 8 and cross the tracks where the enter the table. I worked out the incline to 4%.
Need a bridge you say? Off to Home Depot and Hobby Lobby for a table saw and a modeler's chop saw to build a bridge from old pallets found on my property.
Need a bridge you say? Off to Home Depot and Hobby Lobby for a table saw and a modeler's chop saw to build a bridge from old pallets found on my property.
Well Hell... One stick at a time.
Well Hell... One stick at a time.
So, here I am, blogging about the layout I'm putting together. It's coming along nicely, and I suspect I’ll be updating this as the project progresses. (ummm .... Days till Christmas... 71)
So, here I am, blogging about the layout I'm putting together. It's coming along nicely, and I suspect I’ll be updating this as the project progresses. (ummm .... Days till Christmas... 71)
Sixty Nine Days till Christmas
Sixty Nine Days till Christmas
Sixty Five Days till Christmas
Sixty Five Days till Christmas
Fifty Eight Days Till Christmas
Fifty Eight Days Till Christmas
With just 58 days until Christmas, I’m still hard at work on my latest project. Some may think I’m a bit eccentric for dedicating my time to something like this, but I find inspiration in words I once read. In a book about Robert Restall, one of the individuals who ventured to Oak Island years ago, he mentioned a story about a retired coworker who chose to go back to work. Restall posed a compelling question: "Can you imagine having such a lack of imagination that you would have to go back to work rather than find something interesting to do?"
With just 58 days until Christmas, I’m still hard at work on my latest project. Some may think I’m a bit eccentric for dedicating my time to something like this, but I find inspiration in words I once read. In a book about Robert Restall, one of the individuals who ventured to Oak Island years ago, he mentioned a story about a retired coworker who chose to go back to work. Restall posed a compelling question: "Can you imagine having such a lack of imagination that you would have to go back to work rather than find something interesting to do?"
Since retiring, I’ve found fulfillment in volunteer work at state parks. However, with the ongoing home improvement projects, I’ve found little time for that this year. Perhaps next year will offer better opportunities—but I’m not holding my breath.
Since retiring, I’ve found fulfillment in volunteer work at state parks. However, with the ongoing home improvement projects, I’ve found little time for that this year. Perhaps next year will offer better opportunities—but I’m not holding my breath.
### Project Updates
### Project Updates
Here are some photos showcasing the updates to my train layout. One of the standout features is the trestle around the Christmas tree, designed in sections for easy removal. This allows me to take the tree out for decorating without any hassle.
Here are some photos showcasing the updates to my train layout. One of the standout features is the trestle around the Christmas tree, designed in sections for easy removal. This allows me to take the tree out for decorating without any hassle.
As for the tree itself, I’m already contemplating white/clear bubble lights filled with gold specks for a festive touch.
As for the tree itself, I’m already contemplating white/clear bubble lights filled with gold specks for a festive touch.
... and some other work I accomplished today, such as trimming the platform to contour with the track, and starting on section two of the Around the Tree Trestle.
... and some other work I accomplished today, such as trimming the platform to contour with the track, and starting on section two of the Around the Tree Trestle.
That's Right... No woman in "MY" life! Can't you tell?
That's Right... No woman in "MY" life! Can't you tell?
Forty Eight Days Till Christmas
Forty Eight Days Till Christmas
Forty Four Days 'till Christmas
Forty Four Days 'till Christmas
Forty Three Days till Christmas
Forty Three Days till Christmas
Forty Days 'till Christmas
Forty Days 'till Christmas
Except for the gap between the two sections, the Trestle is complete. Although I love Sharon's idea of having a King Kong holding Fay Raye climbing the trestle!
Except for the gap between the two sections, the Trestle is complete. Although I love Sharon's idea of having a King Kong holding Fay Raye climbing the trestle!
Now I can begin landscaping with mountain and a tunnel entrance just after the bridge.
Now I can begin landscaping with mountain and a tunnel entrance just after the bridge.
The "pièce de résistance" will be the 3 foot tall North Pole Santa's work shop I will build in (and on) the end loop. And have the train go through it! Photo ideas welcome. Actually I envision the train entering a tunnel shortly after the bridge and re-appearing out of the workshop on the far end of the loop?
The "pièce de résistance" will be the 3 foot tall North Pole Santa's work shop I will build in (and on) the end loop. And have the train go through it! Photo ideas welcome. Actually I envision the train entering a tunnel shortly after the bridge and re-appearing out of the workshop on the far end of the loop?
Thirty Three Days 'till Christmas
Thirty Three Days 'till Christmas
Not gonna make it! This is the beginnings of the first two stories of five. And things are going really slow. Took me nearly all day just to get two windows in. Ugh
Not gonna make it! This is the beginnings of the first two stories of five. And things are going really slow. Took me nearly all day just to get two windows in. Ugh
Twenty Seven Days 'till Christmas!
Twenty Seven Days 'till Christmas!
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