New Member

Hi Guys,

I'm new here to the forum and to n scale. I have been thinking of getting the Scenic Ridge kit from Woodland Scenics as a 1st layout to get started. Has anyone here built this before? Any thoughts or comments? Thanks for any suggestions and I look forward to being here.

Trainfan

 

Welcome to Trainboard.
Glad to see a new N scale member.
I can't give you any input about Scenic Ridge kit from Woodland Scenics as a 1st layout to get started.
I am sure that someone will jump in and give you an idea or suggestions.
Lots of good help and ideas from the members here.

 

I haven't built it but the guy who runs the N Scale Loco encyclopedia did. He has a complete build description on his page here:

N-Scale Model Railroad #2

I actually bought the set of buildings just because it was an easy way of getting all of them at once, although to be honest I've had them for a year and haven't built any of them... I partially built some other DPM kits though. I am slowly creeping my way back into the hobby... ;-)

 

Welcome aboard!

When I first decided to have a N-scale layout I looked at it, but since it was so expensive I decided to look around a little then I discovered that I could buy a layout kit from Atlas with all the pieces and a book with the exact layout showing how to wire it and tips on how to build it.

I was limited to how much room I had so I chose the Atlas N06 layout because it looked like it might be fun and fit my price range. Once I bought it, I realized how easy it was to assemble and modify. I added a couple of reverse loops to make it more interesting. And then I started to add scenery and I got to say I was so glad that I did not buy the Woodland Scenic’s layout.

If you are interested in an alternative fell free to check out my photos by clicking on my first layout here. This is just an example of what you can do without any experience. ther are hundreds more from others. You can do anything you like.


I suggest you look around for other layouts like Kato or Atlas.

 

Welcome New Member!!!
Good to have you. The Scenic Ridge is OK, as I have seen only one, and it wasn't as easy put together as I throught. I was a member of a club that took donations and this layout was one, and it was in pretty ratty condition, but it took a lot of work to get it back into shape enough to sell.

If I lived all over again from my start in this hobby/scale, I would have a friend and learn to forage for stuff. You would be surprised to see how soon you can get trains running, and structures and scenery planned. That way you can freelance and build it to suit YOU.

For example, almost every N scaler has a ton of extra track and stuff. For example, this is South Florida and hurricane season, and after every hurricane close call, plywood used for window coverings abound the next day in the garbage. After Wilma, I had enough leftover plywood from my street to build everyone on this board a layout. Unfortunately, clearer heads prevailed, and my wife "coerced" me to get rid of the building materials, as I was running out of hiding places to conceal all of the leftover materials. You can build fast and cheap, and right for roughly 1/10 the cost of the Woodland Scenics layout.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Sly and SleeperN06, awesome links! Well I have a lot to think about. I'm all about saving cash, I can buy more trains. I'll keep you posted when I decided which way I'm going to go. In the meantime I'll keep reading on this cool forum and learn as much as I can.

Thanks,

Trainfan

 

Here is the "track pack" from the Atlas website, although if you "google" around & check some of the "Trainboard" retailers, it could definitely be found cheaper.

https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/items.asp?Cc=N50&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=

As far as the "scenic ridge" layout, I agree with the others that it could be built easier & cheaper than from "WS".

 

Hi welcome to Trainboard!

I have to disagree to cost being the negative to this layout!
I looked at the online shop I use most and for $400 including
shipping you get the layout the track and the buildings,everything
to make it look like the the picture on the box!

Unless you can get everything for free or second hand,building
a layout with this type of terrain for $400 complete is cheap!

Scenic Ridge does have it's negatives
It's just a loop of track!
Really can only run 1 train!
There isn't really enough room to have a stream there maybe
a ditch or eliminate it completely!
In the instructions it shows the road go from the
side of the layout through the city up to the building with the
side road going off the layout. It actually looks more realistic to
have to have the road go through the city and more diagonally across
to the front of the layout and the side road go up to building that
way you make it more like a main route!

If you have 0 modeling experience this really is a good way to go
because it holds your hand every step of the way and in 3 boxes you
have everything you need minus power pack and train!

Also as has been mentioned the Spookshow wedsite{one of my favorites}
has all of the information anyone could want about Scenic Ridge!
Satokuma a trainboard member used to have a thread about Scenic Ridge
he named The Bearcat RR his track plan was modified and he really made
that layout unique! I don't know if that thread is still on here or not
but maybe there are still pictures in his gallery if you search his
username?!

Whatever you chose have fun!!