The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to combine two beloved traditions: Christmas decorations and model trains. For many of us who grew up with model trains, Christmas has an inherent connection to storefront model train tracks and the smell of whatever mom was baking for the holidays.
Recapturing that magic is easier than you might think. Here are some tips to get you started with popular methods for designing a Christmas-specific model train layout.
Start with Location
For a model train layout that’s intended to be a seasonal decoration, you have more flexibility in where you can build your track. Unlike a permanent track, you can turn a Christmas layout into a bit of a centerpiece for your home decor in ways that might otherwise be inconvenient.
If you’ve never built a Christmas track in your home before, here are three locations we recommend starting with:
- Under the Tree: The iconic spot for a Christmas train, the tree is ideal for smaller models like an N or HO-scale train. Usually, a Christmas tree is already set up with lighting sources and a central location. Wrapped gifts and other decorations make it easy to build a relatively simple meandering loop around the base of a tree while still staying dynamic and adding depth to your existing centerpiece.
- Tabletop/Countertop Display: A great option for detailed winter village scenes. If you have the space, you can turn your house into a veritable Christmas village. If you’ve ever been to a Christmas party at a home with a quality tabletop track, you know everyone loves to stand around mesmerized by watching the train do its rounds. To really spice up your layout, try incorporating cleverly disguised places for drinks, snacks, or decanters into a lifelike scene.
- Around the Room: Set up tracks along the baseboards or even elevated shelves for a ceiling-level train. Some people use this type of layout permanently, but it pairs well with festive decorations like lights and tinsel. This design is highly dependent on your space, but it can be a practical way to keep your track out of the way of your daily living space while still being able to enjoy the atmosphere.
Select Your Scale
O Gauge or G Scale: Larger trains with greater visual impact—perfect for spacious family rooms or wide open areas where a centerpiece can really shine.
HO or N Scale: Smaller, more detailed trains that work well for intricate holiday scenes. These scales are ideal for tabletop displays.
Popular Themes
- Winter Village: The classic aesthetic of a Christmas model train track usually incorporates accessories like snowy buildings, skating rinks, or pine trees. Use scenic artificial snow liberally to create the atmosphere we all remember from window shopping at toy stores.
- Polar Express: If you’re reading this far, you love trains and Christmas, meaning Polar Express is probably one of your favorites. Get started on recreating the magic of the beloved holiday movie by checking out our tips for a Polar Express layout.
- Urban Christmas: If you’re in the mood for something a bit more modern, try contemporary décor like LED lights, bustling cityscape accessories, or even references to your favorite fiction, like these sci-fi props. You can still play around with a holiday theme, no matter the era or atmosphere you stick with.
Custom Details
If you really want to add a unique flair to your Christmas build, here are some easy things you can try:
- Make sure the figurines in your scenes match the holiday vibe by including carolers, ice skaters, or even old Saint Nick himself.
- Use vintage cars or horse-drawn sleighs for an authentic touch.
- Use wrapping paper as a base for added festivity.
- Add personal touches like a family photo printed as a billboard or mini versions of your pets as figurines.
- Add holiday-themed rolling stock, like boxcars with Christmas graphics or gondolas carrying gifts.
- Decorate the train itself with garlands, lights, or miniature wreaths.
- Include a mail car with a slot for children to “send” letters to Santa.
A Christmas model train layout can be a tradition that brings the family together, or a memorable talking piece for holiday house parties.
The best place to get started with everything you need is shop.trains.com, where you can find all the essential tools, trains, and accessories you need to make your Christmas model train layout!
- Written by Matt Herr