Christmas Train Layout 2014 - Start to Finish

[@geordieceltic2]

Watch this video every year, it is so good. Thank you for sharing

[@kstrains]

Thank you for your kind comment! Christmas is my favorite time of the year and putting up my Christmas Train Layout is something I really enjoy!

[@iDONTdoFacebook]

All that work making an AWESOME Christmas city under the tree and this presentation set to some of the very best classic Christmas music of all time, and all we get to see are still shots and NO VIDEO?!?! DANG! I just KNEW we’d end this presentation with real video of the setup in action and I was anticipating it with great excitement only to have it end with nothing but still shots :-\

[@michaelgmoore5708]

It is beyond great and the real Bing Crosby music makes it 100 times more like a traditional 1950s Christmas during the time I grew up. we had the postwar Lionel trains which are my favorites to this day. Also the Famous American Flyer 1956 trains. Your work should be taught world wide!

[@ChrisBookeBass]

This is my go to Christmas village video every year. Just watched it again. Always gets me inspired for my Christmas village set up. Looking forward to seeing your set up this year. Hope all is well with you and your family.

[@kstrains]

Thank you for your kind words! Merry Christmas!

[@rickstid-bits]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@andyb439]

Fantastic Display. Thanks for sharing. Awesome!!!

[@SCL3618]

Great looking layout! Awesome to see that TMBV documented your setup.

[@kstrains]

Thanks for watching! It was nice to have TMBV come out and film it. I still waiting to see the video!!

[@scottwhitesides444]

This tradition is FANTASTIC!!! I LOVE model trains and Xmas Snow villages , I am 54 years old now...I GREW UP with this type of holiday tradition. THANK YOU FOR SHARING with everyone, and KEEP it UP! Happy Holidays to you (in OCTOBER 2015!...lol) YOUR EFFORTS and XMAS DISAPLAY ARE APPPRECIATED! It's a BIG EFFORT but WORTH IT!Best wishes from Scott W., San Francisco, Ca

[@kstrains]

+Scott Whitesides Scott, thank you very much for your kind comments. I appreciate it. In 2 weeks I will be setting up my Christmas layout for 2015! Takes about a month to set up. I am excited about getting up like every year. It is a lot of fun because I change it every year! I have this years plans in place...now time to get the boxes out the attic!! Have a great week!

[@davidsheriff8989]

Pure magic !

[@beckerqueiroz]

Thank you for sharing this! You're awesome. I hope to build something like that one day, too.

[@noragalgan6205]

Your layout is really great. I am in the process of putting together my own Christmas layout but permanently putting in the basement, only after years of putting it away. You should totally put this together permanently. You have given me some great ideas because I really need help, thanks Nora

[@kstrains]

+Nora Galgan Nora, thanks for commenting. Unfortunately, I have no basement or any extra room to make it permanent layout so I have to take it down and put it up every year. The only advantage of setting up every year is it allows me the ability to make it different from year to year and sometimes better from the previous years layouts! However, now that I am having some health issues, setting it up is becoming more difficult.

[@MYSUPERBOAT]

Awesome Christmas train set & village layout ! Great that you & your wife set it together ! Good job on the video too !

[@kstrains]

Steve, thanks for watching and the comment. In the photos, it was my daughter and not my wife! That is ok! My daughter has helped me quite bit over the years with my Christmas layout where as my wife watches mostly when I set-up my layout.

[@flywelder]

Amazing! I had no idea so much was there! and the two of you work together on this!...I wish I had the same situation! I could never tear it down. Thanks for posting this!

[@kstrains]

+flywelder Thanks for the comment. Actually, my daughter helps me with the tree only. I put up the rest myself....the village, trains, etc. It is a lot of work, but fun at the same time. As I have developed some health issues, my Christmas layout will probably become smaller in the years ahead. Sometimes it is hard to tear down after Christmas. I will be taking the rest of this years layout down this weekend.

[@flywelder]

Shame. but I understand. perhaps a wood box several inches in depth could be made that you would build this layout inside and then after words, just fold it up and store it. Just an idea, a rough one at that though.

[@sunfiregts]

I loved this start to finish video. Your Christmas layout is wonderful. I'm glad to hear that this layout is in the new TM video as I have ordered it. Congratulations!

[@kstrains]

Keith, thank you for the comment and sub. I believe you will enjoy the video. TM did a very good job on putting the video together. There is a lot of train action on the video!!

[@tonyrigby9465]

Already chomping at the bit for this year's layout video! Until then, I'll have to re-watch this and your others for inspiration! Here's hoping your health doesn't hinder your enjoyment of setting it up this year!

[@kstrains]

2014 was my biggest layout. It was the year TM Books & Videos made progressional video of it. I was glad that they did it then because my back fell apart last year and still is not doing that well. However, I will get a layout up this year, hopefully, but not as big. Thank you.

[@tonyrigby9465]

I'd love to see that TM Books & Videos video....is it available online anywhere or only available on the DVD?

[@kstrains]

+Tony Rigby I believe it's only available on DVD for now.

[@mjc6184]

Very impressive, Ken. Congrats on being selected to feature your layout in TMBV! The selection is well-deserving, you have created an exceptional layout!! Thanks for sharing and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! All you need on that layout now is a Vision Big Boy!!!

[@kstrains]

Michael, Thanks for the comment! Vision, Big Boy!! LOL! Actually, I have thought about it and how cool of an engine that would be to have, but unfortunately its not going to happen, but very much look forward to seeing your video! I heard they shipped today from Lionel to dealers! Think you will get yours before Christmas?

[@mjc6184]

***** Certainly hope so, I'd surmise they will arrive at the hobby shops next wed/fri (assuming no deliveries on Christmas Day)? So I am a bit leery of the idea of taking delivery before Christmas, but you never know. Again, great Christmas layout bud, hoping you can shoot some more videos of it in action over the holidays!

[@janisjade1]

Great video. Wonderful layout. I start doing mine November 1st. Putting up the layout is just as much fun as running the trains when it's completed. Merry Christmas 2015.

[@kstrains]

+Janis Roguskie Thank you. I agree. I like setting up my layout every year which provides a lot of fun and always look forward to getting it up! Merry Christmas!

[@graystrains9347]

AWESOME VIDEO! I watch this video over and over again each year to get in the holiday mood. Plus I love trains and Christmas. I do a g scale front yard layout. I used to have an indoor ho layout at Christmas but it's gotten worn out over the years. Now I want to do the o gauge Christmas village! 😊

[@kstrains]

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I agree Trains and Christmas go together well!!

[@ChrisBookeBass]

This is my favorite Christmas tree train video!!!! One day I hope to make mine as festive as yours. I'm just starting out this year with the layout. So excited. Thank you!!!!!

[@kstrains]

Thank you for your kind words. I started out small and it grew over the years as I added on. I encourage you to find what you like in terms of trains, village houses and things you will enjoy putting up every year for your display. It does not have to be like anyone else's but more importantly something you will enjoy and have fun with. Even if you start small, the fun part is you can add onto it the next year and make it better!

[@Ryfly-mt6et]

ChrisBookeBass same here

[@kstrains]

Ryfly 210 Thank you.

[@kensbackshop6399]

Awesome xmas layout ,,,thst took a lot of work,,,,thanks for showing it,,,

[@kstrains]

KENS BACKSHOP Thank you!

[@gacj2010]

Christmas must be wonderful at your house ... thank you for the dreams

[@kstrains]

+gacj2010 Thanks for the comment. I really enjoy Christmas time. My Christmas Train Layout makes it a lot of fun!

[@N182NS]

Great Job Ken I thought it was a lot of work but it looks fantastic congrats on a super Christmas layout

[@kstrains]

Nick, thanks for the kind comment. I appreciate it!

[@dennisfly1]

good job thanks for sharing.

[@ChristmasGarden]

Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@kstrains]

ChristmasGarden Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@nscalefun]

AWESOME!!!!! I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.

[@Deadbuck73]

Great journey! Thank You!

[@capt3662]

Thanks for sharing, Merry Christmas to you and your family, 2017!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kstrains]

Thank you for watching my video from a few years ago. This one of my memorable Christmas layouts. Merry Christmas!

[@cprtrain]

Well done. I leave my tree up all year.

[@kstrains]

Thank you. I would like to leave mine up too all year but I can't. I will have some videos of this years layout in next few weeks. This years layout tops even the one in this video!

[@TheJoeyboots]

Wow that’s really something! 😁👍

[@jackvelut1427]

Love this it is beautiful

[@MartyLJ57]

Nicely done. I like it because it's simple and sweet. Merry Christmas!

[@kstrains]

Marty, thanks for the comment! I will have running session video posted before Christmas! Merry Christmas!

[@Lou101960]

Love love love this video!

[@michaelglass4701]

BEAUTIFUL LAYOUT, & MERRY CHRISTMAS

[@kstrains]

Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@thomasabbott8974]

Excellent. Video here 🌹

[@fmartino100]

Timeless...

[@kevinlilly4283]

Fantastic.

[@kstrains]

Kevin Lilly Thank you!

[@kevinlilly4283]

@@kstrains First year we set up our display, it took me 2 months. We have it down to 3 days now, and the Christmas Tree just gets shoved in a corner for 11 months of the year. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2nYeWyqqZxgb8k

[@kstrains]

Kevin Lilly Being able to put tree in one corner does help with the setup. I have a family member that keeps her tree up year long but its in a corner for most of the year. Every year it takes me longer to setup but most of setup happens on weekends and during the week I don't have time to do much with it. Thank you for the comment!

[@kevinlilly4283]

@@kstrains Understood. Ours is on a 4x8 sheet of plywood, so it's the same every year.

[@robertrockwell7581]

nice layout.

[@kstrains]

Thank you!

[@reinaldodombueno9276]

beautiful layout and nice video !! but .... the train doesn't run? We were waiting at the station, smiles!

[@COCarDude]

Very nice layout!

[@kstrains]

+Fivepointohpwr Thank you. Merry Christmas.

[@COCarDude]

Merry Christmas to you as well! Check out my christmas layout posted on my channel!

[@Chessie1985]

Very nice Ken!

[@kstrains]

Jeff, Thanks for watching!

[@Chessie1985]

Your welcome!!

[@Trainman0425]

Great layout!

[@kstrains]

Thanks for the comment and watching!

[@gomerito]

OMG it's a very very very nice work!!!!.

[@kstrains]

ramon melian Thank you!

[@5213SNOOPY]

Loved the Peanuts characters.

[@stonetnt24]

thats actually pretty neat

[@kstrains]

Thanks for commenting! Happy New Year!

[@stonetnt24]

+kstrains u 2 :-)

[@therailroadempire7993]

I do a lot of work for Christmas train set ups but if I did this much I would just leave it up all year round

[@ironroadnews6569]

After all that I would never take it down

[@kstrains]

A lot of planning and work goes into my layout every year. Each year I make it different which I enjoy building it. Unfortunately, I have run out of space to make it bigger and as I get older the harder it is becoming to set up from year to year. I have already started setting up the track for this years layout. However, I won't really do much with it until late October. Until then I will be running trains and testing the track design! Thanks for watching!

[@ironroadnews6569]

I enjoyed the video thank you my friend

[@MemoriesRR]

kstrains Older! You look younger than my youngest son and my daughter. Wait til you're really old.

[@kevinlilly4283]

That's what I tell my wife every year, never works though.

[@stevejoshua9536]

. . . And that, my friend, is the downside to all of this. I set up something similar, only more compact, in my living room in 2009, and it's still up, tree & all.

[@graystrains9347]

VERY NICE!

[@kstrains]

Thanks for the comment!

[@TheGreatTimSheridan]

wonderful layout. how can i get a town like that? im trying to work up a layout for my neighborhood in philly.

[@pvoetee2528]

thank you for the dreams

[@kstrains]

Thank you for watching my setup of my Christmas Layout! It has changed a lot since this video has been made several years ago. Merry Christmas!

[@pvoetee2528]

@@kstrains merry Christmas to you From the Netherlands greetings Peter and lisa

[@kstrains]

p voetee That is awesome you are from the Netherlands! Thank you for commenting and Merry Christmas!

[@RXRMidwest]

I'm sure you worked all your life for this stuff hell I just have some transformer locos a lot but not a lot of track treees and a few buildings and that's it but I make the best out of what I do and every year I work more and more and I see my empire expanding and it rewarding

[@kstrains]

Joseph's Trains It's a lot of work but the building of the layout provides a lot of fun each year!

[@RXRMidwest]

@@kstrains I'm sure it is I have fun just having the 2 tracks and some sidings it just takes some imagination.

[@kstrains]

Joseph's Trains I like running multiple trains at one time. Can be a challenge sometimes especially with multiple trains on one track! Thank you for commenting.

[@michaelthesteakpackerp9756]

I subscribed to your channel

[@dennisskinner2339]

What is the white linen used and where did you get it? is it expensive? Thanks, Dennis32

[@kstrains]

Dennis, I use cotton rolls which are in Christmas Decorations in many stores. I buy it from Walmart which is 8ft by 36 inches. Cost $3.50 a roll. It easy to cut and for my temporary Christmas layout it works well. I cut many holes into it to feed all my wires; therefore, I throw it away each year. It's available at Michael's Craft Store too but more expensive. Some stores have glitter on theirs which I don't like because the mess it makes. Thanks for commenting.

[@kenmuramoto4126]

@@kstrains Can a PrexTex snow blanket roll be a good option for a winter layout?

[@graystrains9347]

How did you wire up and power all the street lights? I’m assuming the street lights come with individual battery packs? Looks like you cut them and wired them all together and possibly plugged them into an outlet? Also curious to know what two inner and outer ovals you used...radius.

[@kstrains]

Grays Trains For the street lights, I use 16 gauge wire. I connect them together by configuring my wire as a bus wire. I have used CW80 transformer in the past to power them. I now use Lionel ZW 275 watt transformer for all my accessories since I have so many lights to power. The streets lights are Gooseneck Lamps from Lionel and also yard lights from Lionel. The outside tracks are O-60 radius. The inside I used O-48 radius around the tree. The other inner loop is O-36 radius. In this video the track is Lionel Fastrack. This year I am using both Fastrack and Tubular Track with radius from 0-31 to 0-54. Thanks for commenting and feel free to ask me any other questions.

[@sharkhunt9476]

👍🎅🏻🎄☃️🎄🎅🏻👍

[@phillysub5115]

Since it's now 2018...……….do you still layout the village?

[@kstrains]

Phillysub Yes, the tradition continues!

[@graystrains9347]

Ken, what sort of dimensions am I looking at? Mainly around the Christmas tree oval. Is this a ez track kit I can buy or did you piece it together? I'm not used to o scale curves and such like I am with g scale.

[@kstrains]

Ted, the track I use is Lionel Fastrack. I piece it together. The curve size I used around the tree in this video is O'48 with some straight pieces which are about 10 inches. About 12 curve tracks to make a full circle. I think the radius of my tree is somewhere around 45 to 50 inches. So it depends upon the tree size to make it around the tree. When I bought the track several years ago, I took a guess the size I need. Fastrack comes in different curve sizes O'31, O'36' O'48, O'60, O'72 and larger. I could use any of sizes along with some straight pieces to make it work except O'72 and larger which would make the curves too large for my tree. I am not familiar with with ez track so I am not sure. You probably will need to piece the track together to make it around the tree. Hope that helps.

[@gacj2010]

And the music was what Mom used to sing.........

[@kstrains]

+gacj2010 Growing up my Dad used to play many of Christmas songs that I have put into my videos. Bing Crosby in this video, Nate King Cole, Andy Williams and some others. He had many vinyl records that he would play on the turn table on the stereo in the living room every Christmas season. Those were the days!

[@gacj2010]

***** Seems we all miss them in the same way, especially at holidays..guess that's just the way it is...Thank you

[@zacharyandfriendsrugratsfi7330]

Special By TMBooks For All New Video For A DVD

[@yeksun]

Looks great. Has the bug bit you yet for this year. It has for me. It is sept. and here I am watching Christmas videos. Check out my Christmas 2014 layout ,I think you will like it.

[@kstrains]

+yeksun Thank you for the comment. Somehow I missed seeing your comment from last month. August & September I begin looking at Christmas Train Layout Videos. In 2 more weeks I beginning setting up my layout for 2015!

[@Aiden87649]

Hi