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Post by david1 on Jan 23, 2021 1:07:36 GMT
I have a layout that will stay up all year and the theme will be Christmas. I will be using dept 56 buildings and accessories. I'm thinking of using Christmas in the city just because I have a few and I like thier looks.
I know a few of you use dept 56 with your trains. Do you guys or ladies think that CIC Will go well with what I'm doing.
Now my layout is nowhere the size of Brian's or most but I like going to NYC during the Christmas season so I want to represent it in what space I have.
My space will be About 6x5 and over two tracks.
So, any advice, tips, tricks or whatever?
Dave
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Post by Country Joe on Jan 23, 2021 2:37:27 GMT
I don’t have CIC buildings but based on what I’ve seen of Brian’s and other’s layouts they look great with O gauge trains.
Since 6x5 is a fairly small space I think it’s important to create a good plan so you can fit in all the elements that are important to you.
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Post by david1 on Jan 23, 2021 3:25:51 GMT
I may have misrepresented the amount of space I have. My layout size is about 12x6 and the space for the buildings is 6x6 in one corner of the layout.
Dave
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 23, 2021 8:07:01 GMT
Dave, the Department 56 Christmas in the City line will go great for a Christmas layout. We have tons of them that we will use.
One thing to think about is the lighting of the buildings. Department 56 buildings use 110v wires which are thick like lamp cords. You’ll need to think how you want to hide them behind the buildings.
What I had done was drill a hole small enough for the wire itself behind each building. Then I cut the wire, slipped it through the hole and re-splice the plug end wire under the layout with wire nuts. But this was a chore to do under the layout along with needing extension cords to connect them all.
On my first attempt I drilled a hole large enough for the plug to fit through, not having to cut and splice the wires. But that was unsightly with the big hole behind each building. And I still needed several extension cords to light them.
But in the years since, Department 56 has created multi light sets that you can connect several buildings to it with one plug in wire to 110v connections. Check your local Department 56 dealers or online. Department 56
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Post by Country Joe on Jan 23, 2021 11:51:43 GMT
I may have misrepresented the amount of space I have. My layout size is about 12x6 and the space for the buildings is 6x6 in one corner of the layout. Dave
Can you mix buildings from different manufacturers in the same scene? Will buildings from Dept 56, Lemax and Carol Towne look good together? I don't have any of these buildings and the store displays only feature one brand. I never see them mixed together.
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Post by Adam on Jan 23, 2021 12:24:26 GMT
From what I have seen from other layouts using Department 56, this should be a winner.
I’d say go for it Dave.
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Post by ptc on Jan 23, 2021 15:26:15 GMT
Department 56 and in particular the Christmas in the City collection is your best bet. They did a wonderful job in giving the buyer the "city" look with so much variety of commercial themed buildings and residential. The O-gauge trains work well with them.
Size of your layout is not an issue, you can scale the number of buildings to fit the size of your benchwork.
Go for it Dave, you won't be sorry.
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Post by joeh on Jan 23, 2021 15:29:29 GMT
 If I were you, I would stay with the "look" of the rest of your layout, but have a section that is a winter scene. Then at Christmas you could add a few things, like a town tree, or lighted sign, or even a tree lot (as I have with my Christmas layout). I also managed a pond with skaters actually skating. I'd like to do this approach myself, but my total layout space is only 5x8.
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Post by stoshu on Jan 23, 2021 17:37:46 GMT
Add some animated scenes around the buildings and streets...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2021 18:08:40 GMT
CIC gives you an incredible amount of stuff to choose from and the used market is very reasonable. Be sure to use LED lights so that you don’t have to change them.
Of course, you could use North Pole. They made some pieces a number of years ago that were great transition pieces from North Pole to CIC. That was fun.
Good luck.
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Post by ptc on Jan 23, 2021 20:28:37 GMT
Dave, how many buildings do you have? There are many that go very well together.
If I can help you in any way with your project, please ask. There are not a lot of year-round Christmas layouts, so your's will no doubt get a lot of views when completed.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Jan 23, 2021 21:56:04 GMT
I take it your question might also be searching for reasons why not to proceed with such a layout. Here's my take.
There is absolutely every logical, practical and emotional reason to continue on as YOU already have planned. That world in miniature should in essence contain your own special creative mark. End of rules! 😊
Bruce
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Post by david1 on Jan 23, 2021 22:02:16 GMT
I have 3 CIC buildings, all are the store or business buildings. I would really like the Chrysler building. A friend of mine is giving me the Capitol building never used for two Menards freight cars. Very nice building from the pictures. I think I got a deal.
I plan on building a couple of small platforms to give the buildings height.
Dave
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Post by trainsintheattic on Jan 23, 2021 22:09:11 GMT
Capitol building as in Albany NY ? Hudson river running in winter.
Bruce
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Post by ptc on Jan 23, 2021 23:24:36 GMT
Below is an image for the Capitol Building. Are you planning on adding more buildings? Christmas in the City buildings are designed to be displayed close together to mimic a typical city. Three won't get you too far. The Chrysler Building is a marvelous building. Much taller than most Christmas on the City Buildings. If you decide to go that direction, you may want to consider adding a couple of more high-rise buildings to give it a better perspective.  |
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