How to Build an Outside Christmas Train Display

Lighted Christmas train

Decorating for Christmas tends to get the whole family in a festive mood. Try something different this year by building your very own outside Christmas train display by using wood yard art. Crafting these pieces yourself will give you a sense of pride every year as you put them on display and listen to your friends and family "ooh" and "aw" over such a creative holiday display.

Things You'll Need

• Christmas train plans
• Carbon or transfer paper
• Thumbtacks
• Carpenter's pen or permanent marker
• 1/2" or 3/4" plywood
• 2 Sawhorses
• Goggles
• Dust mask
• Ear plugs
• Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• 3" strap hinge
• Paintbrushes
• Primer
• Paint

Instructions

1. Transfer the train pattern onto the plywood. Lay the pattern on top of the plywood with the carbon or transfer paper in between. Pin it in place with thumbtacks. Copy the image using the pen or marker. Each car will have its own piece of plywood. Repeat this step for each car. Purchase sheets of plywood to correspond to the size of the finished train.

2. Set the plywood flat on the sawhorses. Don the ear plugs, goggles and dust mask. Carefully cut out the train pieces using the jigsaw outfitted with a plywood-cutting blade. Sand the edges with the sandpaper. Work on one piece at a time, repeating the process until each car is cut out and sanded.

3. Create a support stake to stand up the train in the yard using a 3-foot length of plywood about 2 inches wide. Center the strip of plywood on the back of the train piece. Connect it by screwing the hinge into the train piece and the strip. Each piece of the train will need its own stake.

4. Apply primer to each piece of the train, using three coats each--one at a time. Paint the train pieces using water-based latex paint. Paint around the edges to prevent moisture from creeping in around the edges. Allow each coat of primer and paint to fully dry before attempting another coat or the finished product won't be satisfactory.

5. Put the train pieces in your yard, driving the stakes into the ground, in the proper order.

Tips & Warnings

• Add Christmas lights for a more elaborate display that can be seen at night. Include the kids and family in painting (if they are old enough). Store the pieces in a dry location to use next year.

• Always wear safety gear. Never leave power tools and saws unattended or let children operate these tools.

References

• Project Plans
• Wood Workers Shop
• eHow

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish