Wow indeed! Thank you for that generous compliment. It's my pleasure to share Epic Christmas III. If there is something in particular you'd like to see in the future, please let me know.
Thanks for your comment. Without question, the red subway train will be prominently featured next year, along with a few new features I am already planning. Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing the Epic Christmas Village videos with your friends. The track with the moving figures and vehicles is the Department 56 Village Animated Track. It comes with plastic connectors that you can glue under most figures or vehicles with rotating wheels. The older Department 56 cars and some of the newer ones don't have turning wheels.
Thank you Karen! I really appreciate your feedback. I've already started work on Epic Christmas Village IV and have added a few new elements. I never know how these are going to turn out but I expect to post a new video by late November/early December.
Thank you. It's great to hear that you enjoyed Epic Christmas III. It was certainly fun to make. There's always so much that we have to leave out. We could spend a lot of time on just the trains alone and the Nutcracker Theatre actually plays 8 scenes from the ballet. The Stardust Theatre doesn't actually play home movies. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit Epic Christmas Village III and there are some great features that allow for fun additions to the Christmas Village.
Had to watch this again with my husband this time. We both think it is absolutely awesome and can sure appreciate the hard work you went to to create such a idealistic village!
Both trains are made by Lionel. The silver train is the "Pioneer Zephyr" and the red subway is called the "New York City Transit Authority R30". I'm very appreciative of your comment. I'm currently working on Epic Christmas Village IV. I hope to have a video posted between Thanksgiving and the first week of December.
That is a wonderful way to honor the memory of your grandson. The automated system at the beginning of Epic Christmas Village III is the Department 56 "VILLAGE ANIMATED TRACK". It was only produced between 1996 and 1999, but you can usually find one used on EBAY.
Thank you. I'd be glad to help. The moving cars and people are moving on the Department 56 VILLAGE ANIMATED TRACK. The track comes with pegs that you attach to the bottom of whatever you want to move. Department 56 stopped making the track awhile ago but you can still find them occasionally on Ebay.
Fantastic! Thanks for sticking with it. Epic Christmas Village III was shot on two different cameras: Sony HDR-AX2000 and Iphone 4S. Mostly the Sony, but iPhone attached to a MobiSlyder for the tight street shots.
Thank you. I really appreciate your comment and hope you find something in Epic Christmas Village III to add to your own Christmas Village. I have definitely found inspiration from some of the other Christmas Village videos on UA-cam.
The two black/blue cars that run on the Department 56 VILLAGE ANIMATED TRACK are The Department 56 “1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham" Village Item: #56.55536 and the “1950 Studebaker” Village Item: #56.55293. Both can be found on Ebay. The Studebaker is a Retired piece. I'm not sure about the Cadillac which also comes in yellow.
Wow! This is absolutely incredible! I love the way Christmas looks through your eyes. You've turned the Christmas Village into a real art form. Thanks for sharing your vision.
Thank you so much. I've been collecting Snow Village pieces since I was 7. This is the most amazing village/video I've ever seen. My wife and I were falling ourselves seeing all your amazing details. Wow, wow, wow. Oh my goodness, you deserve an award. I can't describe how excited I am after see your videos!!!
Yes, this is especially true of the Snow Village collection. The pieces are porcelain or ceramic and tend to shrink when fired. Apparently, Department 56 can't make them smaller without giving up a lot of detail. I try to keep the figures away from doors if possible and hope for a "Forced perspective" result. Thanks for your comment.
That's nice to hear. I am already planning next years Christmas Village and will definitely re-watch your videos "2010 Department 56 Snow Village from the Schwab's" and "Schwab 2012 Snow Village and more". They have the best Christmasy tone. The Drive-In was handled in editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. I thought about modifying the screen but decided that it was much simpler to just take care of it in editing.
Thank you Mercy. The detail is the most enjoyable part of the process for me. Having seen your scrapbooking channel "Mercy Tiara's Videos" I can see the same is true for you. Your channel is impressive.
Wow! You outdo yourself every year! You honestly make the best Dept. 56 Christmas Villages I've seen. I absolutely love the home movies playing at the "Stardust Theater" and the Nutcracker Suite playing with all the people in the audience at the Theater is brilliant! BRAVO!
To watch this and a growing number of videos on an IPAD or other mobile devise you must download the UA-cam App and then within the App watch videos in Desktop mode. I don't know why this is the case. I have had similar frustration as half of my favorite Christmas Village videos fall into this category. Good Luck!
This is wonderful!! I enjoyed every minute of it...twice! Some of my favorites this year are the Ballet Theater's performance of The Nutcracker, and the Baltimore skyline at night. The very last scene with Mom and Granny was my favorite of all. I cried. ~ A beautiful, nostalgic display. Well done!!
this is so beautiful! How i wish i have a christmas village as beautiful as this. The music was enchanting and jolly and so fun to watch, as if it is a real one. It is beyond imagination. Great in every corner, very detailed in every aspect. Very Awesome!
Light, Camera, Tripod. Light is by far the most important element. Lots of diffuse light is the best way to capture quality video. I use a softbox. The Camera should be HD with at least 1920x1080p resolution. I shoot with three different cameras: Sony HDR-AX2000, Canon 5D Mark II and Iphone 4S. Use a Tripod or Slider to get stable video whenever possible.
Thank you Marlene. I haven't done a Halloween version in the past, but I do plan to incorporate a Haunted house and a few creepy accessories into this year's Christmas Village. I hope to put a Christmas spin on the Halloween Village theme.
I was trying to reproduce the close-up tracking shots that I first saw in your 2009 video " Department 56 Snow Village" Really love all your Christmas Villages. I used an iPhone attached to a MobiSlyder to get those shots. It's a pretty versatile yet simple device. There are a number of UA-cam videos showing the different uses of this brand of Slider. Merry Christmas!
Finding the Nutcracker Suite to add to this year's Epic Christmas Village was really by accident. Obviously, I'm particularly fond of the home movies at the Stardust Theatre and I thought they applied relative to the theme and the music.
I find myself sitting and watching mesmerized at the time and work you have put into making this magical display. Thank you for sharing and look forward to this year's display. ps: The Nutcracker blew me away!!! Absolutely awesome!!!!!
Thank you mchenryfam94. The Nutcracker Suite is basically a music box made by the "Mr. Christmas" company. I added the theatre seating and audience so that the silhouettes of the theatre goers would give a frame of reference. I've uploaded a video to my channel called: Epic Christmas Village: The Nutcracker Suite, The link is above in the description. It shows the full performance.
This is better than the real life. Sadly but true. I guess, that's exactly why everyone loves these annimated toys and videos like this one. Thank you.
Thank you Marty. I enjoyed your layout video. Hope you find a scale Lionel Pere Marquette 1225 Berkshire. I hope to find one as well. Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Marty!
If there is an OSCAR for christmas village making and video editing. This is far the Best picture and best in editing, best soundtract or should I say grandslam winner! I have seen all the other videos and this is really the best. Congratulations!
I'd be interested to see more of the Nutcracker Suite or just the performance. I've never seen anything like that before in any other Christmas Village video.
Once again you have out-done yourself! I really like the way you pack a lot into the space and your thematic approach. Has a real "cozy" feel. The close-up shots make us feel like we are right there in the village!
What an absolutely WONDERFUL magical Christmas Village! I have been as excited as a child waiting for Christmas morning to see the new Epic Christmas Village III! The new trains are fabulous and I love the Nutcracker Theater and the plays. Does the Stardust Theater play real home movies? I'd love to know how you set up the village, how you made or bought platforms, hid wires, laid out train tracks, etc. Your amazing Christmas Village brings out the Christmas spirit and warms my heart. Thank you!
I can't get enough of you r beautiful display. I've been collecting for 5 years and it has grown quickly. looking forward to seeing this year's display
THANKYOU FOR BRINGING A LITTLE JOY & FUN TO CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS ALIKE, BACK IN 2012 ALL THE WAY UP TO 2018...MERRY CHRISTMAS, BIG CRAB CAKE & GOD BLESS YOU...;)
what a beautiful Christmas village and what a beautiful details. I would like to know how you made the moving cars and people walking. This is something I have long wanted to itself like in my Christmas village. Can you help me?
All of your videos are absolutely AMAZING! I have a large layout also (took it down a couple of yrs ago) that I want to put back up and incorporate my Dad's old O Gauge Marx train into. I also have the Gondola and the Village Animated Track. I LOVED seeing how you used yours for the neighborhood, as I used mine for downtown. Please, could you share with me HOW to get started? How do you plan your layout with the buildings and the train track? I can't seem to get past the placement phase! Last time, I also "sunk" the village track, and the ice rink, so I have to know for sure where to cut the holes for both those things and the cords to the bldgs. Any help you can give would be VERY MUCH appreciated! :) PS: I couldn't pick my jaw up off the floor for the whole length of the Nutcracker suite video! Gave me goose bumps! Please share who makes that beautiful piece!
The Nutcracker Suite is made by the Mr. Christmas company. They made a few versions. I believe this one is called the Nutcracker Suite Gold. My building method is pretty disorganized but for sure the first thing to do is set up the train tracks. Then I cover the remaining surfaces with 1/2 inch white styrofoam insulation panels. That gives you something to dig out to lower the pond or to make channels to hide wires. Then I put all the buildings on the display and keep rearranging them until it looks right to me. This is really inefficient but it works for me. Other then the train tracks, my plan is to have no plan. That probably explains why I still haven't finished Epic Christmas Village IV. But I'm close!
Absolutely awesome!!!!! could you tell me the name or brand you use on the silver subway train and the red one , the one that doors open…just love it…i watch and watch and watch it over and over again…please tell me you are making more videos? thank you for sharing this video.
I am curious why Dept56, etc, don't make either the buildings bigger, or the people a bit smaller, as the people appear to be much bigger than the buildings (the are about 30% taller than the doors). Regardless, love your videos very much.
I am a fan of Christmas villages and I put up my own one, but a very small version. I have seen dozens of Christmas villages and I have to say, your village has been the most impressive one. You have done an excellent job preparing your village. I am curious though, how long does it take to prepare it?
Thank you. Epic Christmas Village grows larger every year and so does the time to build it. I'm currently working on Epic Christmas Village IV and it is taking longer than I anticipated. By the time it is complete it will have taken 12 weeks to build. The element that adds the most time is the incorporation of trains into the village. Putting together the train track layout is a substantial time commitment.
Hola, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! por tanta belleza pero por sobre todo llevar la NAVIDAD en el alma y el corazon, sigue asi ya que en estos tiempos muchas personas han perdido la esperanza y sobre todo el espiritu navideño.
En la medida en que tenemos el espíritu de la Navidad en nuestro corazón y alma, siempre hay esperanza para el futuro. El mundo está lleno de personas maravillosas como tú y esa es la mejor razón de todas para nunca perder la esperanza. Dios los bendiga.
Just curious, where do you set this up and how much space does it take up? Have you thought about posting a video of the construction phase? It would be interesting to see what goes into creating all this magic!
Epic Christmas Village gets bigger every year. This year it will take up a good part of my basement. The trains are a large part of that. Until now, I haven't given serious consideration to making a construction phase video because my process is relatively disorganized. I will try to do something like that in the future.
Oh please please PLEASE make a construction video! We won't care if it's disorganized--if it were organized, it wouldn't be so BRILLIANT! Don't you know, creative people are at their best when they are disorganized? Brains don't work right, otherwise! ;)
All your Villages really inspire me to start collecting myself, what a fantastic job and details you put in each of your projects. Can you please help me with that name of the Figurine shows in this video minute 5.00 is a man with the black jacket facing the Coca-cola machine next to the Rollorana house. Thank you and have wonderful holidays.
TheBigCrabCake~ AMAZING job! My husband and I are inspired and it is January 4th!!! HAHAHA! We had one question, does the Starlight Cinema Drive In play your own movies or did you edit them in there? I feel we will be searching for one on Ebay here pretty quick. Happy New Year!
Is the track dept 56? and if so do they sell pieces that attach to it? The movement in your village take it to a whole different level. I show all my friends your videos. I hope to make mine as cool some day.
All your Villages really inspire me to start collecting myself, what a fantastic job and details you put in each of your projects. Can you please help me with that name of the Figurine shows in this video minute 5.00 is a man with the black jacket facing the Coca-cola machine next to the Rollorana house. Thank you for any information.
i love your village! I think I saw a comment on here that explained that you were going to make a homemade animated village track, I was wondering if you have done it yet and if so can you show us?
Yes, I do plan to attempt a homemade animated village track. Department 56 stopped making them and the old ones are prone to failure. I've done some design drawings for an animated track that I will attempt to build next summer. If if works out, I'll post a video.
Thank you Alberto. Your comment is very much appreciated and gives me added motivation for next year's Epic Christmas Village.
Thank you Katheryn. Your comments are greatly appreciated.
Wow indeed! Thank you for that generous compliment. It's my pleasure to share Epic Christmas III. If there is something in particular you'd like to see in the future, please let me know.
Thanks for your comment. Without question, the red subway train will be prominently featured next year, along with a few new features I am already planning. Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing the Epic Christmas Village videos with your friends. The track with the moving figures and vehicles is the Department 56 Village Animated Track. It comes with plastic connectors that you can glue under most figures or vehicles with rotating wheels. The older Department 56 cars and some of the newer ones don't have turning wheels.
Thank you Karen! I really appreciate your feedback. I've already started work on Epic Christmas Village IV and have added a few new elements. I never know how these are going to turn out but I expect to post a new video by late November/early December.
Thank you. The Red Subway train was introduced in Epic Christmas Village II and is probably my favorite part of the both Christmas Villages.
Thank you. It's great to hear that you enjoyed Epic Christmas III. It was certainly fun to make. There's always so much that we have to leave out. We could spend a lot of time on just the trains alone and the Nutcracker Theatre actually plays 8 scenes from the ballet. The Stardust Theatre doesn't actually play home movies. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit Epic Christmas Village III and there are some great features that allow for fun additions to the Christmas Village.
Had to watch this again with my husband this time. We both think it is absolutely awesome and can sure appreciate the hard work you went to to create such a idealistic village!
Both trains are made by Lionel. The silver train is the "Pioneer Zephyr" and the red subway is called the "New York City Transit Authority R30". I'm very appreciative of your comment. I'm currently working on Epic Christmas Village IV. I hope to have a video posted between Thanksgiving and the first week of December.
That is a wonderful way to honor the memory of your grandson. The automated system at the beginning of Epic Christmas Village III is the Department 56 "VILLAGE ANIMATED TRACK". It was only produced between 1996 and 1999, but you can usually find one used on EBAY.
Thank you. I'd be glad to help. The moving cars and people are moving on the Department 56 VILLAGE ANIMATED TRACK. The track comes with pegs that you attach to the bottom of whatever you want to move. Department 56 stopped making the track awhile ago but you can still find them occasionally on Ebay.
Thank you. Some of the Department 56 figures are have very compelling detail.
It seemed like a natural fit.
Fantastic! Thanks for sticking with it. Epic Christmas Village III was shot on two different cameras: Sony HDR-AX2000 and Iphone 4S. Mostly the Sony, but iPhone attached to a MobiSlyder for the tight street shots.
Thank you Ladybugz. I have been enjoying your "Christmas Village 2012 in Svensen Oregon". It's really special.
Thank you. I really appreciate your comment and hope you find something in Epic Christmas Village III to add to your own Christmas Village. I have definitely found inspiration from some of the other Christmas Village videos on UA-cam.
That is really heartwarming to hear. Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Bugz!
Holy Cow!! "Epic" is a severe understatement- Unbelievably Amazing!!!!!
Thank you 50tmack. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Alexandra. You can find most of the Epic Christmas Village pieces on EBAY.
The two black/blue cars that run on the Department 56 VILLAGE ANIMATED TRACK are The Department 56 “1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham" Village Item: #56.55536 and the “1950 Studebaker” Village Item: #56.55293. Both can be found on Ebay. The Studebaker is a Retired piece. I'm not sure about the Cadillac which also comes in yellow.
Wow! This is absolutely incredible! I love the way Christmas looks through your eyes. You've turned the Christmas Village into a real art form. Thanks for sharing your vision.
Thank you so much. I've been collecting Snow Village pieces since I was 7. This is the most amazing village/video I've ever seen. My wife and I were falling ourselves seeing all your amazing details. Wow, wow, wow. Oh my goodness, you deserve an award. I can't describe how excited I am after see your videos!!!
i loved that you highlighted the people this year and paired it with the music like you did. loved it.
My pleasure. Merry Christmas!
Hi, there are a number of UA-cam videos of great village displays, but never I have seen one with such superb camera work and editing. Great job!
Yes, this is especially true of the Snow Village collection. The pieces are porcelain or ceramic and tend to shrink when fired. Apparently, Department 56 can't make them smaller without giving up a lot of detail. I try to keep the figures away from doors if possible and hope for a "Forced perspective" result. Thanks for your comment.
Thank you Jill. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Cheryl. Merry Christmas.
That's nice to hear. I am already planning next years Christmas Village and will definitely re-watch your videos "2010 Department 56 Snow Village from the Schwab's" and "Schwab 2012 Snow Village and more". They have the best Christmasy tone.
The Drive-In was handled in editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. I thought about modifying the screen but decided that it was much simpler to just take care of it in editing.
I think this whole display is brill! There's so much to see and enjoy! Thanks!
Merry Christmas Marly.
Thank you. I enjoyed your Christmas Village as well.
Thank you Mercy. The detail is the most enjoyable part of the process for me. Having seen your scrapbooking channel "Mercy Tiara's Videos" I can see the same is true for you. Your channel is impressive.
Wow! You outdo yourself every year! You honestly make the best Dept. 56 Christmas Villages I've seen. I absolutely love the home movies playing at the "Stardust Theater" and the Nutcracker Suite playing with all the people in the audience at the Theater is brilliant! BRAVO!
Thank you so much Alberto. Merry Christmas!
To watch this and a growing number of videos on an IPAD or other mobile devise you must download the UA-cam App and then within the App watch videos in Desktop mode. I don't know why this is the case. I have had similar frustration as half of my favorite Christmas Village videos fall into this category. Good Luck!
This is wonderful!! I enjoyed every minute of it...twice! Some of my favorites this year are the Ballet Theater's performance of The Nutcracker, and the Baltimore skyline at night. The very last scene with Mom and Granny was my favorite of all. I cried. ~ A beautiful, nostalgic display. Well done!!
Epic Christmas Village: The Nutcracker Suite has been posted to my channel and contains the complete performance. Merry Christmas!
Thank you. I drew a far amount of inspiration from your "Department 56 & Lemax Christmas Village 2012- 2013". Merry Christmas!
This is just amazing. Im so much looking forward to part 4 of this Christmas Village...thanks for sharing it.
Mange tak. Jeg regner med at have den Epic Christmas Village IV video udgivet kort tid efter Thanksgiving.
Thank you Zombie. Merry Christmas!
Will do. Already planning Epic Christmas Village IV.
this is so beautiful! How i wish i have a christmas village as beautiful as this. The music was enchanting and jolly and so fun to watch, as if it is a real one. It is beyond imagination. Great in every corner, very detailed in every aspect. Very Awesome!
Light, Camera, Tripod. Light is by far the most important element. Lots of diffuse light is the best way to capture quality video. I use a softbox. The Camera should be HD with at least 1920x1080p resolution. I shoot with three different cameras: Sony HDR-AX2000, Canon 5D Mark II and Iphone 4S. Use a Tripod or Slider to get stable video whenever possible.
Thank you Marlene. I haven't done a Halloween version in the past, but I do plan to incorporate a Haunted house and a few creepy accessories into this year's Christmas Village. I hope to put a Christmas spin on the Halloween Village theme.
Wonderful!! Beautiful!! Breath-taking!!! A true delight to watch! Thanks for sharing Merry Christmas Crab Cake!
Bravo! This was well worth the wait! Your attention to detail is amazing, and you really o outdo yourself each year!
I was trying to reproduce the close-up tracking shots that I first saw in your 2009 video " Department 56 Snow Village" Really love all your Christmas Villages. I used an iPhone attached to a MobiSlyder to get those shots. It's a pretty versatile yet simple device. There are a number of UA-cam videos showing the different uses of this brand of Slider. Merry Christmas!
Finding the Nutcracker Suite to add to this year's Epic Christmas Village was really by accident. Obviously, I'm particularly fond of the home movies at the Stardust Theatre and I thought they applied relative to the theme and the music.
I find myself sitting and watching mesmerized at the time and work you have put into making this magical display. Thank you for sharing and look forward to this year's display. ps: The Nutcracker blew me away!!! Absolutely awesome!!!!!
This was just wonderful! You obviously worked hard on this, and it was truly breathtaking!
Thank you mchenryfam94. The Nutcracker Suite is basically a music box made by the "Mr. Christmas" company. I added the theatre seating and audience so that the silhouettes of the theatre goers would give a frame of reference. I've uploaded a video to my channel called: Epic Christmas Village: The Nutcracker Suite, The link is above in the description. It shows the full performance.
This is better than the real life. Sadly but true. I guess, that's exactly why everyone loves these annimated toys and videos like this one.
Thank you.
I wish I could just shrink myself and visit your village for real! ha.ha. Have a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for posting. -Jill
Thank you Marty. I enjoyed your layout video. Hope you find a scale Lionel Pere Marquette 1225 Berkshire. I hope to find one as well. Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Marty!
The BEST ever! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Amazing. Simply, Amazing. Thank you so much for uploading!!! Merry Christmas!!!
If there is an OSCAR for christmas village making and video editing. This is far the Best picture and best in editing, best soundtract or should I say grandslam winner! I have seen all the other videos and this is really the best. Congratulations!
Very, very nice. I have to have my wife watch. Merry Christmas.!
I'd be interested to see more of the Nutcracker Suite or just the performance. I've never seen anything like that before in any other Christmas Village video.
Once again you have out-done yourself! I really like the way you pack a lot into the space and your thematic approach. Has a real "cozy" feel. The close-up shots make us feel like we are right there in the village!
Thank you Lee. That is exactly what I was going for. Merry Christmas!
What an absolutely WONDERFUL magical Christmas Village! I have been as excited as a child waiting for Christmas morning to see the new Epic Christmas Village III! The new trains are fabulous and I love the Nutcracker Theater and the plays. Does the Stardust Theater play real home movies? I'd love to know how you set up the village, how you made or bought platforms, hid wires, laid out train tracks, etc. Your amazing Christmas Village brings out the Christmas spirit and warms my heart. Thank you!
I can't get enough of you r beautiful display. I've been collecting for 5 years and it has grown quickly. looking forward to seeing this year's display
So enjoyable! Great work! Thanks for posting it for everyone to see.
Thank you Lizbeth. I appreciate your comment.
I love all your videos of the villages. You can tell you truly love what you do. Can't wait to show my granddaughter these videos tonight. :)
Thank you so much Kaye! I really hope your granddaughter enjoys them. My best wish is that these videos will be interesting to people of all ages.
Amazing job! I wish I had this much room for my village.
That was truly epic, loved it, being born an breed in New York it touched me an tickled me funny all at the same time great job!!!,happy holidays
+Natalie Hoffman I just love New York City, but especially at Christmas time. Happy Holidays Natalie!
THANKYOU FOR BRINGING A LITTLE JOY & FUN TO CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS ALIKE, BACK IN 2012 ALL THE WAY UP TO 2018...MERRY CHRISTMAS, BIG CRAB CAKE & GOD BLESS YOU...;)
Thank you Layna! You made my day!
Thanks Dad.
Love you Sissy!
AWESOME! Great Collections, nicely arranged and beautifully choreographed ! The best of your series to date! Thanks for sharing !
+Ultimate Villager Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Open Safari. Under the Safari tab click "Reset Safari". That should do it. Good luck.
Excellent , remarkable, stunning, what more can I say.... just loved it.... :O) can't wait for the next one..
Thank you Ana. Epic Christmas Village IV should be posted before Christmas.
what a beautiful Christmas village and what a beautiful details.
I would like to know how you made the moving cars and people walking. This is something I have long wanted to itself like in my Christmas village. Can you help me?
Thank you for sharing these videos they have put a smile on my face I love them.
And your comment has put a smile on mine. Thank you.
All of your videos are absolutely AMAZING! I have a large layout also (took it down a couple of yrs ago) that I want to put back up and incorporate my Dad's old O Gauge Marx train into. I also have the Gondola and the Village Animated Track. I LOVED seeing how you used yours for the neighborhood, as I used mine for downtown. Please, could you share with me HOW to get started? How do you plan your layout with the buildings and the train track? I can't seem to get past the placement phase! Last time, I also "sunk" the village track, and the ice rink, so I have to know for sure where to cut the holes for both those things and the cords to the bldgs. Any help you can give would be VERY MUCH appreciated! :) PS: I couldn't pick my jaw up off the floor for the whole length of the Nutcracker suite video! Gave me goose bumps! Please share who makes that beautiful piece!
The Nutcracker Suite is made by the Mr. Christmas company. They made a few versions. I believe this one is called the Nutcracker Suite Gold. My building method is pretty disorganized but for sure the first thing to do is set up the train tracks. Then I cover the remaining surfaces with 1/2 inch white styrofoam insulation panels. That gives you something to dig out to lower the pond or to make channels to hide wires. Then I put all the buildings on the display and keep rearranging them until it looks right to me. This is really inefficient but it works for me. Other then the train tracks, my plan is to have no plan. That probably explains why I still haven't finished Epic Christmas Village IV. But I'm close!
Absolutely awesome!!!!! could you tell me the name or brand you use on the silver subway train and the red one , the one that doors open…just love it…i watch and watch and watch it over and over again…please tell me you are making more videos? thank you for sharing this video.
August right now. Dammit, I love Christmas.
Couldn't agree more Matador! I am very much looking forward to Christmas as well! Glad to know you feel the same way.
hi, i saw your 4 epic xmas village and i loved them!
Thank you.
AWESOME...WELL DONE !!!
I am curious why Dept56, etc, don't make either the buildings bigger, or the people a bit smaller, as the people appear to be much bigger than the buildings (the are about 30% taller than the doors). Regardless, love your videos very much.
I am a fan of Christmas villages and I put up my own one, but a very small version. I have seen dozens of Christmas villages and I have to say, your village has been the most impressive one. You have done an excellent job preparing your village. I am curious though, how long does it take to prepare it?
Thank you. Epic Christmas Village grows larger every year and so does the time to build it. I'm currently working on Epic Christmas Village IV and it is taking longer than I anticipated. By the time it is complete it will have taken 12 weeks to build. The element that adds the most time is the incorporation of trains into the village. Putting together the train track layout is a substantial time commitment.
Holy Cow!!! Simply amazing!
Thank you Jacqueline.
J'adore les villages de noel, magnifique travail , bravo
Hola, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! por tanta belleza pero por sobre todo llevar la NAVIDAD en el alma y el corazon, sigue asi ya que en estos tiempos muchas personas han perdido la esperanza y sobre todo el espiritu navideño.
En la medida en que tenemos el espíritu de la Navidad en nuestro corazón y alma, siempre hay esperanza para el futuro. El mundo está lleno de personas maravillosas como tú y esa es la mejor razón de todas para nunca perder la esperanza. Dios los bendiga.
Muchas gracias por contestar, Dios te vendiga a ti tambien!!!!!
I'm looking for another word other than "Awesome!" but that pretty much sums it up.
Any thought of doing a Halloween version???
Just curious, where do you set this up and how much space does it take up? Have you thought about posting a video of the construction phase? It would be interesting to see what goes into creating all this magic!
Epic Christmas Village gets bigger every year. This year it will take up a good part of my basement. The trains are a large part of that. Until now, I haven't given serious consideration to making a construction phase video because my process is relatively disorganized. I will try to do something like that in the future.
Oh please please PLEASE make a construction video! We won't care if it's disorganized--if it were organized, it wouldn't be so BRILLIANT! Don't you know, creative people are at their best when they are disorganized? Brains don't work right, otherwise! ;)
janefan1216 Perhaps I'll do that next year...if I can get organized enough. Merry Christmas!
All your Villages really inspire me to start collecting myself, what a fantastic job and details you put in each of your projects.
Can you please help me with that name of the Figurine shows in this video minute 5.00 is a man with the black jacket facing the Coca-cola machine next to
the Rollorana house.
Thank you and have wonderful holidays.
I don't remember that figure, but I'll look for him and let you know if I find him this year.
Love all of your videos this one is one of the best!
Love this. Very beautiful. You are also one handsome man ;).
hhhmmm...for whatever reason it worked today & im glad cause your video is badass...omg...nice job CrabCake...what are you filming with ???
TheBigCrabCake~ AMAZING job! My husband and I are inspired and it is January 4th!!! HAHAHA! We had one question, does the Starlight Cinema Drive In play your own movies or did you edit them in there? I feel we will be searching for one on Ebay here pretty quick. Happy New Year!
Is the track dept 56? and if so do they sell pieces that attach to it? The movement in your village take it to a whole different level. I show all my friends your videos. I hope to make mine as cool some day.
One more? lol, How did you make your video so clear and professional? Did you use certain kind of camera
great job with the village
All your Villages really inspire me to start collecting myself, what a fantastic job and details you put in each of your projects.
Can you please help me with that name of the Figurine shows in this video minute 5.00 is a man with the black jacket facing the Coca-cola machine next to
the Rollorana house.
Thank you for any information.
Veramente bello, spettacolare, complimenti!!
i love your village! I think I saw a comment on here that explained that you were going to make a homemade animated village track, I was wondering if you have done it yet and if so can you show us?
Yes, I do plan to attempt a homemade animated village track. Department 56 stopped making them and the old ones are prone to failure. I've done some design drawings for an animated track that I will attempt to build next summer. If if works out, I'll post a video.
Where did you get the archway stairs on 4:39? I want to use it for a train station scene
That is the O gauge 2-Track passenger crosswalk. MTH and Lionel produce their own versions of it.
Awesome job, again!! Is the nutcracker suite from Dept. 56? I noticed the audience in front of the stage; did you add that or was that included?
So fantastic!