This year for Christmas I am planning on decorating my place with a “Polar Express” (it has become my favorite Christmas movie) theme for my two grandchildren (Amber is 15 and Julian is 7).
Toward that end, I have:
Won the Polar Express Lionel train set from Ebay
Got the movie poster, the soundtrack and of course, the film
Got some tree ornaments with the PE theme
My plan is to get a sheet of 4x8 plywood, a couple of sawhorses to set it on and some plaster of paris (for the snow scene), some of those (cheap) village houses which are lighted from within, small model trees, and set the big tree in the middle and have the train go around the tree and through the “village”.
Now, I know everything’s not going to be “to scale”, and that’s okay. I was just wondering if any of y’all have suggestions how to improve on my idea?
Here are the specs on the train itself:
Gauge: O Gauge Minimum Curve: O-27 Dimensions: Length: 63 3/8” Layout dimensions: 40” x 60”
I appreciate it!
I hesitated to bring this up again, since I have had only once response, but I consider y’all the most informative folks on the planet, so I was hoping you might take another look.
Instead of working with plaster of paris for my winter scene, what do you think about paper mache’? Can I get some “molds” that I can use for the hills and stuff and then just spray them with that snow spray?
I have never worked with either of these mediums before (Hell, I have never done anything like this before, but I wanted to do this for the grandkids and because I am just a big fan of Christmas and that movie) so I could sure use some guidance.
Thanks for having another look and for any help you can give me.
I think the usual method is to shape chicken-wire into the shape you want, form the papier mache over that, and then surface it however you want (paint, snow spray, etc.). If you have large features that you want to be a bit sturdier, you can mount the wire on a very rough frame of 2x4s. Just don’t ask me where one buys chicken-wire… A hardware store, maybe?
If you are all about the Polar Express I just wondered if you were aware of the Great Smoky Mountians Railroad Polar Express trip they put on near Christmas. I noted your location and it seems a do-able trip to North Carolina. We went last year and our (then) 4 yo enjoyed it a great deal.
I’m a bit late with the “thank-you’s”, but I wanted to thank Chronos, Nic2004, DocCathode and GuanoLad for the suggestions and the help.
I have found an “illuminated snow blanket” which I think will serve as the base for my display, but I also downloaded a “Papier Mache’ Manual” from the net for 10 dollars which I will keep handy. I have since deleted all the order particulars, but I believe the artist’s name is Michael Schreiner.
The conductor costume is a bit much, , but I have made reservations with the GSMR (Great Smoky Mountain Railroad) for a dinner train “Polar Express” ride, and I can’t wait. The grandkids and me will be going, and Julian will be in PJ’s, but me and Amber will not. I have an old red “Union Suit” complete with trap door, but somehow I do not believe they will admit a 56 year old “kid”, wearing this, do y’all?
Anyway, thanks again, and if anyone has more suggestions, please send them along via this thread.
I am glad to hear of the pending train ride! It is truely beautiful and a lot of fun for the kiddies. They serve hot chocolat, cookies and the whole thing (though no gymnastics like the movie). There is also a gift store at the train depot with a lot of PE items, many of which we had to have. Oh, on our trip, they gave the kids a sleigh bell like in the movie.
Have fun and write about the trip when you get back.
, but I have made reservations with the GSMR (Great Smoky Mountain Railroad) for a dinner train “Polar Express” ride, and I can’t wait. The grandkids and me will be going, and Julian will be in PJ’s, but me and Amber will not. I have an old red “Union Suit” complete with trap door, but somehow I do not believe they will admit a 56 year old “kid”, wearing this, do y’all?