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Post by anjdevil2 on May 6, 2020 16:46:46 GMT
Obliviously, Christmas Village is 75% Dept. 56 or LeMax........ Spooky Town is all LeMax, save for the K Line spooky tree and the Lionel Haunted House So the reasoning is that the animation is very entertaining and intriguing. After Halloween/Christmas sales are outstanding!!!
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 16:50:52 GMT
We are nuts. Have 250+ Dept 56 buildings - Dickens, North Pole, Christmas in the City, Seasons Bay, and a ton of people, trees, accessories, etc. We had planned a layout using them and our older trains and accessories which we happened to go through yesterday. It would all make a fantabulous layout and would fill our train room. It’s all Paula’s fault. 🙄🙄🙄
I cannot get one of our kids or our nieces or nephews interested. Their kids love trains and come over to run them here... offer and not even a reply.
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Post by laz57 on May 6, 2020 17:58:45 GMT
I have to add this image on behalf of Brian. This was his old layout and I still feel this was the best display of Department 56 buildings I have ever seen. Not just the number of buildings, but the proper and thoughtful placement, lighting, and accessorizing. Charlie Totally agree CHARLIE. Both my WIFE and I were floored by BRIANs old layout. New one is awesome too.👍👍👍
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Post by Spice7 on May 6, 2020 18:45:34 GMT
I have pieces but only use a few at the club during Christmas.
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Post by ptc on May 6, 2020 19:01:21 GMT
Department 56 is one of those hidden treasurers. I first got involved with their villages in 1984 when Dickens Village was first introduced. These buildings were crude by today's standards, but they were so appropriate for home decoration purposes.
It was not until 2007 when Christmas in the City was introduced did I see a fit for O-Gauge trains. I immediately saw a connection. For the most part, the buildings do have a snow affect, so you are somewhat limited to winter scenes. The detail and quality of these buildings is top notch, some of the best we have in our hobby.
And for those who want D56 buildings without a snow affect, there is Seasons Bay.
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Post by ptc on May 6, 2020 19:08:38 GMT
Thanks Charlie and Vern about your comments regarding our last layout. I liked it very much as well. We were faced with space challenges with our new layout. But having said that, there is a lot that I like about the new layout. This time, you can see all of the fronts of the buildings, something that was an issue with the last one. We have much better use of lighting and all of the placement of the accessories is maximized. Then there is the matter of the Grand Central Terminal. Again, it is a so much better use of this beautiful structure and base. Safe to say that I like them both, but don't sell the new layout short. There is a lot to like about it.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 20:15:31 GMT
I have to add this image on behalf of Brian. This was his old layout and I still feel this was the best display of Department 56 buildings I have ever seen. Not just the number of buildings, but the proper and thoughtful placement, lighting, and accessorizing. Charlie Charlie, I totally agree with you. Brian had an amazing suburb with Dept56 buildings which was startling. You took some nice pictures. I do believe if you are going Dept56 on your layout, you have to go the whole way. It is hard to mix them with 1:48 buildings. But if they are all together it works with O Gauge trains. That layout worked very well. My favorite spot was the water front with Season's Bay buildings. He had a great collection of buildings that looked terrific.
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Post by harborbelt70 on May 6, 2020 20:15:49 GMT
I have a few Dept. 56 pieces originally intended for Christmas-only use but the Chrysler Building has actually stayed on permanent display above where the main line runs when the track is up. This is a fairly recent model, or maybe it came from very old stock, but in either case, I think that they toned down the lighting from others that I have seen, including the one pictured on Brian’s previous layout.
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Post by RailCat on May 6, 2020 20:16:32 GMT
I do have a section that is all Dept 56 ‘Snow Village’ related, with buildings, figures and accessories...its now permanent and there year round...I guess mostly because it’s actually located on the very ‘northern’ edge of the layout and its always cold there!?!?! 😂🚂
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Post by Traindiesel! on May 6, 2020 20:35:39 GMT
Oh yes, Lynley and I have been collecting Department 56 buildings for the layout since around 1998. My first building was Hollydales Department Store around 1996. Along the way we've added Lemax/Carol Town, Heartland Valley Village, St. Nicholas Square and Mr. Christmas along with Menards and Woodland Scenics buildings to use for the Train Palace layout. I think we're up around 240 with probably more coming in the future!
All the cool, old Plasticville from the 1960's will be cleaned up and used under the Christmas tree eventually.
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Post by thebigcrabcake on May 6, 2020 21:08:28 GMT
Department 56 has some of the most compelling figures of the different choices on the market..
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Post by ptc on May 6, 2020 21:48:25 GMT
"Department 56 has some of the most compelling figures of the different choices on the market.."
Absolutely correct, Emile.
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Post by ptc on May 6, 2020 21:51:31 GMT
Here's two D56 Hi-Risers without a snow affect. There are several more.
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Post by Adam on May 6, 2020 22:39:47 GMT
Loving all of the beautiful photo. Department 56 certainly has some beautiful models. I hope to include some of their stuff on my layout someday.
Brian, both your current and previous layouts are/were stunning. You pay such close attention to detail and it shows.
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Post by thebigcrabcake on May 7, 2020 12:55:04 GMT
Here's two D56 Hi-Risers without a snow affect. There are several more. The D56 tall buildings are very well done. They have a big presence but their actual footprint is quite small. You get a lot of bang for your buck.
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