This project is a recreation of the 1960 Disneyland attraction, Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland in On30 scale. This is a selectively compressed layout, not a true inch-for-inch scale model, because of the large scale of the project squeezed onto a rather small 4' X 7' table. So, elements from the original ride to be shifted, moved, eliminated, modified, or distorted, but all the major areas of the attraction are represented. Despite the compromises, close attention to detail is included within those areas.
What prompted me to build such a layout still puzzles me to this day. I wasn't even around when the attraction was open and I wouldn't enter the world several years after it was replaced. I think it was all the elements the attraction had that made it so appealing: it had western towns, mountains, tunnels, hills, deserts, sandstone rocks, trestles, lakes, ponds, rivers, glowing caverns, geysers, mud pots, dinosaur bones, jiggling rocks, a variety of animals, it had trains, and it was a Disney ride.
Above, the mine train model as it appeared in 'The "E" Ticket' magazine in early 2006
The layout was originally started in September of 2005, when I was just a sophomore in high school with basic model making skills. Since then, there have been countless changes and modifications which are still under-way. With my ever-improving skills as a model maker, the model should reflect that skill level. Now almost 5 years later, the layout is in a construction state that is almost similar to how it was since the day I started. Areas have been rebuilt from the ground up and quality has certainly gone up. Through expansion, the layout is now measuring about 5' X 7.5". Since this project hits the back burner a lot, there is no estimated completion date as things will always continue to change and improve. But, after almost half a decade, I'm pretty close to finishing, and I think by the end of 2011/early 2012 (if things go well) I just might have every single little detail in.
The ever changing layout, as it appears in early 2010 and below now in early 2011
2 comments:
Very cool project! I'm so impressed with the quality of your work, you've got great skills. I have a spotty memory of going on this attraction as a kid and feeling like I had been magically transported out into the real desert. Even though my recollection isn't that strong, I alway felt like it was one of my favorites. Thanks for the terrific point-of-view video ride through--great fun!
I have to say that this is the most coolest model of the Rainbow Ridge Mine Train ride I've ever seen can you do a video of the whole layout viewed by the train ride as if you step back in time to see what it was like to ride that train???
Post a Comment