Anybody do one of these? I bought one second hand, modified the track plan to include a small turntable. After laying the track it reminds me of The Gorre and Daphetid rr. After a lot of hair pulling, I have a small layout that runs good. After the fact, wondering if it would have been easier to build a conventional layout??????
You didn't mention which of the Terrain for Trains layout you built, but from your description, it must be "The High Sierra." Looking at the track plan on their web site, it is obviously a close copy of the Gorre and Daphetid track plan. In any case, the layout looks good in your photos. You've done a nice job! - Jeff
Nice! I used to have the High Sierra also. I sold it on ebay for a loss from the amount of money I put into it, but it's a nice way to start a layout and get it up and running.
I have the Smoky Hollow layout, but it still lives in the box as I was caught by the Great Atlas track shortage. I still want and intend to build it, that is if and when the track is back in stock. My only real regret is the tight radius, but I am working on other projects, so I can limit this one to shorter units. I second jdetray, it looks nice. More pictures would be nice.
I bought one of the layouts and modified it for Z scale, so I have a mobile layout to take to shows. I had to put a frame underneath it (it would flex and pop track off when moved) and I installed DCC and a MRC sound box. I still have a lot of scenery to do but have ground cover and some trees. The main industry is a lumber mill. John
Yes it is the High Sierra. I decided to do this because I was stuck in the track planning quagmire. I figured the track plan is pre determined, therefore I could just get on with it. The curves are tight, but I run a Class A Climax, one of Randys kits, a Class B Climax that I built and a model power 4-4-0. The track is Peco 55. The trestles and bridges have Micro engineering bridge track. DCC is a MRC prodigy. The turntable is from Kitwood hills models and is a delightful model to build. It is 60mm and has a decoder as well. I am presently constructing scenery/ballasting track. Lots of work to do yet but trains are running. It did not take much to add the turntable. I am glad I did. Gives a little more "operations" to a little roundy round. I too had problems with track attachment/flexing. The layout was secured to a foam sheet with screws, and the hollow base was filled with expanding foam where possible. My biggest fear is pouring the log pond as it will encapsulate my sawmill. I will save that for last I guess.
I never even thought of converting to Z. What did you use for crossovers? Flex should do for the rest I would guess. I have been looking for an excuse to try doing some fast tracks turnouts. I have no idea what size to get though. Time for some research. Anyway, nice job on the High Sierra.
I used flex track and Micro Trains turnouts. I had to lengthen the z bridges to fit the N scale spaces. My home layout is N scale, but Z is fun too, especially when you see the reaction of the visitors to such small trains.
I cut the layout a little to fit two Campbell truss bridges in the span in front. Having filled the hollow areas with expanding foam, this was no big deal. One of the nice things is that you can hide a lot of alterations with scenery.
