Elevated Train Tracks

photo: 2007

First, determine the shape of your track . In 2007, our track was a rounded rectangle. Now, piece together the track and make a pattern of the track from cardboard. Our pattern was 5 inches wide...3 inches for the track width, and 1 inch on either side.

Picture3 

Second, cut out the elevated track. We used two pieces of wood for the long straight part of the track, then cut out the left and right rounded edges from a sheet of MDF. The thickness of both the wood and MDF was 3/8". Since our Lionel train track is 3 inches wide, we purchased the 5 inch wood planks. We painted all the pieces with white primer. Next, we used inexpensive brackets to connect the wood pieces.
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Third, make the poles that will hold up the new wooden track. Since we bought the pre-cut 24" PVC pipes, all we had to do was wrap them with red duct tape so they looked like north poles. Next, we placed the pipes into the half cinder blocks and squirted Good Stuff Expandable foam into the bases. We screwed L-brackets into the top of each pipe so that the new white track base could be attached.

From 07 christmas display for blog

Fourth, cover up the messy part. I take some hints from Disney...you don't ever want to see plugs, wires, pipes...none of the mechanical parts...it takes away from the fantasy. So, we hung icicle lights from the bottom of the track, then stapled green garland under the track to cover up the brackets, staples, etc.

From Copeland Christmas Blog
From Copeland Christmas Blog