Scenic Ridge Questions

[BOB9]

I have a son who loves trains, and I have promised to build him a model railroad set. I am considering Scenic Ridge, but have two questions:

1. I need to store the set when not in use in a location w/ 12" clearance. Per Woodland Scenics, the set is ~16" high. Does anyone with experience with this set know whether modifying it to be 12" would be problematic?

2. Is this a set you would recommend to a neophyte?

Many Thanks!

 

[Kevinkrey]

Sounds like your best bet is to build your own layout. Take a piece of plywood, nail down some track, and go from there, you can definatelly keep it easier that way, it would also be cheaper.

 

[mistressmotorsp]

The only part of the Scenic Ridge layout that is tall is the plaster mountain in the back corner. You can always choose to just make that mountain smaller. If you are looking for a way to learn/practice several aspects of MRR'ing, like scenery, track laying, simple wiring, etc., then this is a pretty easy and fun way to go. My layout is actually a modified Scenic Ridge, and I am having a great time with it. If you just want to run trains without much scenery, or if you want to simulate real operations, then you certainly don't need the Scenic Ridge set. Also, as Kevin said, it can be cheaper to build from scratch. However, with the Scenic Ridge kit, you really get everything you need to complete the layout except for the trains, wiring, and controller. If you get the scenery kit, track kit, and building kit, they are pretty complete. You will find that the layout they recommend (you don't have to build it exactly the way they say) is short of operational potential, meanaing not a lot of places to shuttle cars back and forth, simulating real railroad operations. But, if you want to watch trains go around (like my kids do,) it's plenty fun.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck.

Mike

 

[BOB9]

Kevin and Mike - Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

 

[nolatron]

Yup, I had a Scenic Ridge kit. Simply knock off 4" of that back mountain and you're good to go.

 

[Cannonball]

Leave out the first layer of 4" risers and modify the terrain to be a little more level.

 

[sumpter250]

The "track kit" that comes with scenic ridge is all "snap track", as in short sections, that are "snapped" together. For a beginner, probably OK, but I would still recommend using flex track instead.
You could build a layout for a lot less, building from scratch as Kevin recommended.
http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110256 should take you to pictures of a scenic ridge construction I was part of.

 

[Nazgul]

Pete...too bad the customer didn't bring back any pics with the buildings in place, it would have been interesting to see if his work did justice to the tremendous job you guys did.

Excellent Modeling!.....as usual :thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[Cannonball]

The "track kit" that comes with scenic ridge is all "snap track", as in short sections, that are "snapped" together. For a beginner, probably OK, but I would still recommend using flex track instead.
You could build a layout for a lot less, building from scratch as Kevin recommended.
http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110256 should take you to pictures of a scenic ridge construction I was part of.

Wow.... You did an amazing job with that. :thumb:

 

[sumpter250]

Nazgul, Cannonball,
Thanks. I guess that's what fifty + years in the hobby can do for you.


And I'm still learning.