terrain for trains

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am considering purchasing one of the terrain for trains Sierra modules
for a samll N guage layout. Has anyone had any experience with this
product and what are your thoughts?

2

I have seen a one of the modules in various levels of completion on display at a hobby store. It looks good, but also looks like it is not for beginners.

3

Really? I would have thought that pre-formed terrain for a model railroad was intended for beginners, rather than for folks with experience who would prefer to make their own scenery.

4

I think Maxx may be referring to the Woodland Scenics scenery kits, not Terrain for Trains. Terrain for Trains seems geared to complete rookies like myself (though they cost more than I want to spend). The instructions given in the “Terrain for Trains” section of www.internettrains.com lists the following instructions for completing one of the kits:

Now, follow the steps outlined below and you’ll be running trains in just a few hours (details for each of these steps will be found in the pages of these instruction sheets):

  1. Buy the track items listed in the Materials List on page 2 of these instructions
  2. Glue the track to the Support Pan (Item A)
  3. Install the Support Pan under the Main Layout (Item B)
  4. Glue the Bridge Tabs (Item C) to 2 bridges (Atlas Warren Truss or Plate Girder bridge)
  5. Purchase and build either the Walthers Timber Trestle kit or the Kato Truss Bridge
  6. Glue the remainder of the track to the Main Layout
  7. Connect the power supply and run trains

Seems pretty simple to me! [:)]

5

Thanks guys for your input. After thinking about it I also believe 200 bucks is a lot
for a 30 by 48 inch layout. I think I’ll stick with my hollow core door concept I’ve used
for years. For about 20 bucks you can get a hollow core door slab at Lowes or
Home Depot and create a really nice layout. Since it’s hollow you can cut our
various portions of the top layer to for river beds, valleys etd. Yeah, I think that’s
what I’ll do.

6

I bought the “timber Ridge” painted version and being a beginner I find that it is more intermediate than beginner. The track plan as given doesn’t quite fit the layout and the joints don’t meet exactly. Lots of fun(!) so far.

7

I recently scrapped my third attempt at building a larger N scale railroad on homosote with Peco track and turnouts, and sold everything on E-bay. I used the proceeds to purchase all three of the Terrain for trains layouts and have just bolted them together.

I decided to use cork roadbed under the sectional track, and purchased the Atlas remote turnouts as well. Everything has been working perfectly and I have been very pleased with the operations.

I had some trouble attaching the Town of Rocky Ridge to the Quarry module, but some work with a small hobby saw allowed me to drop the roadbed level to achieve a smooth connection.

My only problem is pulling a train over 6 cars behind my Kato Mikado. I think I have found the cure by contacting Kato and purchasing a driver equipped with rubber tires.

I have found it very pleasing to have my layout operating already, and I am now starting to add paint and other landscaping features.

This has been a great experience.

8

I just bought the track pack for the new Smokey Hollow junction N scale layout. I plan on making my own layout instead of buying the preformed plastic layout from Walthers or Internettrains.com for $315.00. I bought some extruded foam and plan on setting up the layout myself. I’m excited.