DOUBLE DECKER HOLIDAY TRAIN LAYOUT

Above: The Brick Trick Double Decker Train layout.

DOUBLE DECKER HOLIDAY TRAIN LAYOUT

If you've been following the Brick Trick BLOG, then you may have seen us build train layouts in our fireplace before.  While that may sound mighty strange, it makes great use of a space we otherwise never use.  And we had to get creative when it came to fitting a train in our small living room.

Check out the first fireplace train layout we built a couple of years ago here:

http://bricktrick.blogspot.com/2011/11/holiday-train-and-town-layout.html

The Double Decker Train layout includes two tracks on different levels, each track with it's own unique train cars.  The lower track also has a train station.  The main focal point is the HILLTOP PLACE department store, which has several floors for holiday shopping! Notice the rooftop restaurant on top of the department store with lots of guests dining al fresco.

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Above: Another vantage point of the Double Decker Holiday Train layout.

Above: Guests dine and drink on the rooftop at the outdoor restaurant.

Above: The lower train stops in the bright yellow station.  The upper train carries passengers to holiday shopping and dining.

Above: The roof of the department store lifts off.

Above: Inside the department store several floors of merchandise await holiday shoppers.

Above: The front of the HILLTOP PLACE structure has been removed so the interior is more visible.

Above: Another view of the entire project.

HOLIDAY TRAIN and TOWN LAYOUT

Above: The HOLIDAY TRAIN and TOWN LAYOUT built by BrickTrick artists on the hearth of an unused fireplace.

HOLIDAY TRAIN and TOWN LAYOUT

Last year we wanted to have a train set-up in our personal residence for the holiday season. Of course we don't really have any space for a train layout installation anywhere in our house. Well, until we got a little more creative, that is. We are fortunate to have a nice granite fireplace, though since we don't need it for heat and burning wood is bad for the environment, the fireplace sits empty and unused all year long.

After some careful measuring we determined that a full circle train layout would just fit on the hearth and inside the fireplace itself. We liked the idea of the train "disappearing" into a tunnel and then coming back out again. It took some careful figuring to get the tracks to stay in place, but once the track was installed we were off creating a variety of buildings and other items, which wound up including custom-built train cars. More pictures documenting this project follow in this posting.

What are we building for 2011? A train layout with two tracks, one of which is a "subway".

Enjoy!

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.


Above: This shot gives an overview of the project with the train tracks installed and several base plates arranged to accommodate structures.

Above: This image shows the entire fireplace which is in the corner at the end of a great room space.

Above: An area within the tracks is to serve as a public plaza for the HOLIDAY TOWN and has an ice skating area. The technique shown here where small plates and caps surround the train tracks is called "ballasting" and is intended to have the look of a gravel bed supporting the tracks.

Above: A large facade for one of the HOLIDAY TOWN "high rise" buildings was constructed on a table top and moved to the layout for installation.

Above: More buildings have been installed on the right side of the layout and a green train is being test-run on the tracks to be sure the train can clear the tunnel entrance and exit.

Above: Large "high rise" buildings have been installed to begin to enclose the fireplace opening.

Above: The powder blue building houses a costume shop on level one and two. The top floor is the "Sky Lounge" and patrons await the tree lighting ceremony.

Above: The holiday tree is installed, though it doesn't have its decorations and "lights" yet.

Above: Nearly all of the buildings have been put in place and some custom train cars in a holiday color scheme of red, green and white are being test-run on the train tracks.

Above: "Party Cars" are part of the HOLIDAY TRAIN and passengers can eat and drink while enjoying the view of the skaters on the ice, as well as the many holiday decorations throughout the "plaza" area while riding in the open-air train cars. One open-top train car has a tree and gifts which are going to be donated.

Above: An overview of the completed HOLIDAY TRAIN and TOWN LAYOUT project. The blue building on the left side of the layout is an apartment complex, the gray building with the clock tower behind the ice rink is the TOWN HALL.

Above: Cheerleaders wave their pom-poms from the side of the ice rink while the skaters show off their moves. Minifigure artists have just finished the "ice sculpture" ANGEL located in front of the holiday tree. Under the tree is SANTA in a big red chair.

Above: Some of the smaller buildings at the right front of the layout include colorful homes.

Above: The completed HOLIDAY TRAIN and TOWN LAYOUT with the RED PARTY TRAIN running around the track.

Above: Another vantage point shows the HOLIDAY TRAIN and TOWN LAYOUT completely finished with the RED PARTY TRAIN in motion.

CUSTOM MODULAR YELLOW WIG & HAIR SALON

Above: The YELLOW WIG & HAIR SALON project designed and built by Brick Trick artists here in our SAN FRANCISCO studio. This project is currently up for auction on Ebay.

CUSTOM MODULAR YELLOW WIG & HAIR SALON

This posting showcases images for another BRICK TRICK DUDE custom-designed and artisan built original architectural model from all new bricks and parts. While created to coordinate with your other CITY, TOWN or TRAIN buildings in minifigure scale, this nicely detailed and finished brick sculpture will also work well as a stand-alone piece. The YELLOW WIG SHOP & HAIR SALON project is being sold fully assembled, as shown in the images; some parts will be removed for shipping and details to reassemble these few elements will be included, (signage, mail box, tree, trash dumpster, flower). Also included is a CD of photographic images documenting the entire project inside and out, (NOTE: No formal written directions are provided). The YELLOW WIG SHOP & HAIR SALON is an original creation from the Brick Trick Dude building studio here in San Francisco and is one-of-a-kind.

EXTERIOR: The YELLOW WIG SHOP & HAIR SALON project features 3 stories of space constructed on a 16x32 peg base plate. The front exterior is decorated on the sidewalk level with checkerboard paving, a mailbox and a tree. There is a hair brush “sign”. The second floor exterior has two arched windows with awnings and the third floor exterior has a large arched window. The entire front façade is a bold scheme of yellow as well as white, dark green, and both light and dark bluish-gray. Note the skylights on the roof. The back of the building is primarily yellow as are the sides, (sides have white panels). The back features windows on each floor, a ground level back door with awning, a trash dumpster with shovel and broom and a flower. Windows on the second floor can be opened and closed, so can the skylights. Modular construction techniques allow the roof and top floors to be removed for interior viewing and then easily re-stacked.

INTERIOR: The WIG SHOP occupies the interior of the ground floor. The store has a counter with a cash register, lots off “hair products” on a wall unit of shelves and numerous wigs for both male and female minifigures presented on several displays. The entire floor is tiled in transparent green. The second floor is the HAIR SALON with a shampoo bowl with reclining chair, a vanity with chair for styling, bottles and a chaise for lounging while you wait your turn. Notice the artwork on the wall above the chaise and another wig on display. The top floor is the employee lounge and has a pink kitchen with sink, stove and counter with croissant. A table with flowers has two white stools and a red coffee cup. Check out the sconce lights and a “painting” on the wall.

DETAILS: Project contains approximately 1,200 bricks and parts and includes three minifigures as shown, (2 females, one male). The front sidewalk is constructed of white and transparent green smooth tiles and does not match other building sidewalks of larger-scale architectural projects from the manufacturer, however the light bluish gray curb does match. There are no technic bricks with holes on the sides for joining to other structures. Finished model weighs approximately 3 pounds. Model measures 5 inches wide and 10 inches deep at the base plate. Building stands approximately 11 1/4 inches tall at the highest point of the skylight roof peak.

Check out this item for auction on Ebay, CLICK HERE.

Below: The project viewed from the back.

Above: On the exterior of the second floor is a "hair brush" sign for the wig shop and salon.

Below: The interior of the ground floor which is decorated as the wig shop.

Above: The 4 modular units which make up the structure.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Above: A street scene featuring the three buildings currently available from the manufacturer in large kits. Pictured are, (from left), the FIRE BRIGADE, GREEN GROCER and the CAFE CORNER brick models. Note that some customization has taken place, such as replacing the tiny mug on the cafe signage with a big, red "Scala" coffee pot and the minifigs putting up, (or maybe taking down), a string of Christmas lights above the grocery store.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We hope you had a safe and happy holiday season and that you got all the cool Lego® products you wanted from Santa! As you can see from the photo above we've been busy building the new kits we got for Christmas. While we often feature kits we create ourselves here in the BRICK TRICK BLOG, we love to build sets from the manufacturer, too. In addition to these sets having awesome results, they also include cool pieces and colors not always so easy to find. We also enjoy learning new building techniques and these kits often have ideas we'd never thought of. While the image above shows three kits built by Philip, we also built several other projects including the new tan-colored FAMILY HOME (Model #6754) and the very delightful CARGO TRAIN. Thanks to Santa for all of the extra train track sets, too! More images of our projects will follow in future postings, right now we're getting back to more building!

Enjoy!

REMINDER: Click on the picture to view an enlarged image.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Above: Image shows the cover of the box from the CITY TRAIN STATION kit which was a gift received by one of the BRICK TRICK artists during the holidays.

HAPPY NEW YEAR BRICK TRICK BLOG FRIENDS!

We hope you has a safe and healthy holiday season and that Santa brought you all the plastic bricks you wanted and lots more!

BRICK TRICK artist PHILIP BUCHAN was the recipient of numerous brick sets this year. You may have noticed that Philip prefers to design his own projects rather than build models from directions. However, Philip built several models he received this season including the CITY TRAIN STATION and a discontinued model of the CREATOR TOWN HOUSE. Philip built both of these projects and others following the printed manufacturers directions. More images of these projects will follow in subsequent postings. Meanwhile, Philip is working on plans to expand and improve all the kit models he built and customize them with his own details.

Many more pictures of these projects will follow. We'll also be posting building ideas for those who were recipients of BRICK TRICK DUDE custom mixes on Ebay.

Thanks again for checking in and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Below: The cover of the CREATOR TOWN HOUSE model which is a discontinued set. This boxed version in mint condition was found on Ebay.