department 56 & train layouts

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have a 1:87 train that I want to run in my Department 56 Snow Village. I have approx. 106" by 45" and would like to include a tunnel.

Any ideas on someone that has done this?

2

First off—>[#welcome].

You are probably already aware of this, but Dept 56 is closer to O-gauge, and in sometimes S-gauge. The Snow Village buildings (which I own quite a few) will pretty much dwarf HO sized trains—unless, you put your town right up front in the foreground, and use your trains in the background, perhaps up on a distant ridge…

3

Naperville,

My LHS has an extensive HO layout running through his Dept. 56 display area. He is willing to discuss your question with you to give you ideas if you’d like to call him.

PM me for his name and phone number.

Don Z.

4

The dept 56 houses are a bit large for ho scale, I have found the Cobblestone series, the best size for Ho scale. Try serching e-bay for “Cobblestone Series”, and “Windham”, its for the Cobblestone Series Windham heights series christmas village houses they are discontinued but available I have found them on be e-bay only but there out there, they are the correct size for HO scale, and there cheaper.

Some pics of my dads christmas layout I built with these houses can be found here: Houses in these pics have a 3/4" foam base under them to elevate them a little bit.

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/turbo231/?action=view&current=IMG_0826.jpg

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/turbo231/?action=view&current=IMG_0817.jpg

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/turbo231/?action=view&current=IMG_0821.jpg