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.

LIME AIRPLANE CUSTOM KIT • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: The LIME AIRPLANE custom kit shown assembled with female minifigure "Molly".

LIME AIRPLANE CUSTOM KIT • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

This posting contains images and instructions identical to the printed directions which are included with this custom building kit available exclusively from BrickTrickDude on Ebay.

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Below: Parts included in the custom building kit.

PARTS LIST
1 white 1x2 tile w/tail fin
1 black/white steering wheel
1 light gray 1x2 plate w/bar
1 clear transparent 2x2 45-degree slope
1 black propeller
1 dark gray 1x2 brick w/stud
1 yellow 2x8 plate
1 light gray 2x8 plate
1 dark gray 2x4 plate
2 lime 2x2 bricks
2 white 1x2 grills
8 lime 1x2 smooth tiles
3 lime 1x2 plates
2 light gray rims
2 black wide rubber tires
1 light gray 2x2 axle plate

Minifigure Pilot “Molly” is assembled and includes:
1 brown ponytail wig
1 female head with red lipstick and alternate face on back
1 blue/white “overall” torso
1 blue hips/legs

Step 1: Attach propeller to dark gray 1x2 brick with stud. Add 1 lime 1x2 tile to clear 2x2 slope. Add tires to rims. Place light gray 1x2 plate with bar and white tail fin on dark gray 2x4 plate as shown.

Step 2: Add 1 lime 1x2 tile to dark gray 1x2 brick. Place 2 lime 1x2 tiles on tail fin assembly. Put clear slope/lime tile on yellow 2x8 plate. Add lime tiles and white grills to yellow 2x8 plate as shown. Snap lime 2x2 bricks on to light gray 2x8 plate; add the 3 lime 1x2 plates as shown. Attach wheels to light gray axle plate.

Step 3: Attach the propeller assembly to front of light gray 2x8 plate. Add wing assembly to front 2x2 lime brick. Add steering wheel to front lime 1x2 plate. Attach tail fin assembly to the rear lime 2x2 brick.

Step 4: Attach the wheel assembly to the bottom of the light gray 2x8 plate.

Notes: Add your minifigure pilot and you’re ready to fly.

YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: A new custom kit from BrickTrickDude, the Yellow Garden Arbor shown assembled.

YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

We've been busy designing and testing new kit ideas here in the BrickTrick studio. The YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR is one of our latest creations now available just in time for holiday shopping on Ebay®.

This posting contains images and instructions identical to the printed directions which come inside of each BrickTrickDude custom kit.

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Below: Parts included in the YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR custom kit.

PARTS LIST
3 green leaf parts
1 dark green 6x10 plate
3 dark pink 1x1 flower caps
2 bright pink 1x1 caps
8 green stalks with 3 stems
1 yellow 1x2x6 arch brick
4 yellow 1x1 bricks
4 yellow 1x1 cylinders
6 yellow 2x2 tiles
1 lime 1x2 plate
2 lime 1x2 tiles
3 sprues of 4 dark pink flowers
3 sprues of 4 red flowers

GAL PAL minifigure “Tiffany” is assembled and includes:
1 black “ponytail” wig
1 female head w/eyebrows, red lipstick/alternate face
1 blue/white “overall” torso
1 blue hips/legs
1 reddish-brown push broom

Step 1: Add yellow 2x2 tiles to dark green 6x10 plate. Place dark pink 1x1 flower caps and bright pink 1x1 caps on green leaf parts as shown. Twist flowers off sprues, place on stems of green stalks to create 4 sets of 3 dark pink flowers and 4 sets of 3 red flowers. Stack pink flower stems on top of red flower stems to form 4 plants. Add lime 1x2 plate and lime 1x2 tiles to top of yellow 1x2x6 arch brick. Alternately stack 2 yellow 1x1 bricks and 2 yellow 1x1 cylinders. Add each stack to bottom of yellow arch.

Step 2: Add archway to dark green 6x10 plate. Attach 2 green leaf parts to pegs on lime 1x2 plate as shown. Add remaining green leaf to peg of right leaf, facing to front.

Notes: Close-up shows leaf parts on top of yellow arbor.

Step 3: Place flowers on pegs of the dark green 6x10 plate along yellow tile walkway. Add your minifigure and you’re ready for a day in the garden.

PURPLE & AQUA SNOWMOBILE KIT • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: The PURPLE & AQUA SNOWMOBILE kit shown assembled with female minifigure "Chelsea".

PURPLE & AQUA SNOWMOBILE KIT • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

This posting contains images and instructions identical to the printed directions which come with this custom building kit available from BrickTrickDude exclusively on Ebay.

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Below: Parts included in the BrickTrickDude custom kit.

PARTS LIST
1 dark aqua 2x8 plate
1 clear trans. 2x2 45-degree slope
1 silver 2x2 engine brick
2 dark purple 1x3 33-degree slopes
1 black 1x2 plate
2 yellow trans. 1x1 caps
1 black 1x2 grill
2 red trans. 1x1 plates
1 dark purple 1x2 brick
1 dark purple 2x3 plate
3 black 1x2 plates w/handles
2 dark purple 2x4 mudguards

Step 1: Place both dark purple 1x3 slopes on dark aqua 2x8 plate. Add dark purple 2x3 plate to dark aqua 2x8 plate as shown. Snap black 1x2 grill on clear 2x2 slope. Add 1 black 1x2 plate with handles to dark purple 1x2 brick. Place 2 remaining black 1x2 plates with handles on bottoms of dark purple 2x4 mudguards.

Step 2: Place black 1x2 plate on top of pegs of dark purple 1x3 slopes. Add dark purple 1x2 brick with black handle to dark aqua 2x8 plate as shown. Attach red transparent 1x1 plates to dark aqua 2x8 plate.

Step 3: Attach the windshield assembly as shown. Add silver 2x2 engine brick.

Step 4: Place both dark purple 2x4 mudguards with black 1x2 plate w/handles assemblies on bottom of dark aqua 2x8 plate. Snap yellow transparent 1x1 caps on to front underside of dark aqua 2x8 plate as shown.

Notes: Add your snowmobile driver and you are ready for adventures in any brick winter wonderland!

Above: PURPLE & AQUA SNOWMOBILE shown assembled with boy minifigure "Chuck".

VEGETABLE GARDEN • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: The VEGETABLE GARDEN custom building kit shown assembled with male minifigure, "Tyler".

VEGETABLE GARDEN • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

This posting contains images and directions identical to the printed instructions included with this custom building kit available exclusively from BrickTrickDude only on Ebay®.

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Below: Parts included in the BrickTrickDude custom building kit.

PARTS LIST
1 dark tan 6x8 plate
2 reddish-brown 1x1 bricks
2 green 3x4 leaf parts
5 red 1x1 caps
3 orange 1x1 caps
2 yellow 1x1 cylinders
1 white 1x4 picket fence
4 lime 1x1 bricks
2 green transparent 1x1 tiles
15 green stalks with 3 stems

GUY PAL Minifigure “Tyler” is assembled.
1 black wig
1 male head w/scruff beard
1 blue/white “overall” torso
1 blue hips/legs
1 dark bluish gray shovel

Step 1: Add white picket fence and orange 1x1 caps, (carrots), to dark tan 6x8 plate as shown. Build 2 stacks of 2 lime 1x1 bricks and top with green transparent 1x1 tiles to serve as the “fence posts”. Place 1x1 red caps on green 3x4 leaf parts as shown to create the tomato plant branches. Assemble 2 stacks of 6 green stalks with
3 stems to build the “corn stalks”.

Step 2: Add lime fence posts to either side of picket. Place remaining green stalks on top of the orange 1x1 caps. Stack reddish-brown bricks with leaf parts to create tomato plant. Add yellow cylinders to finish corn stalks.

Step 3: Add tomato plant to back left corner peg. Place corn stalks and your veggie garden is ready to grow. You can also rearrange plants to suit your gardening preferences.