Woodland ScenicsN Scale Scenic Ridge Layout Kit

You will definitely need foam cutting tools. I suggest a hot knife. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on this. I used Kato track so I had to change the track layout a little.

worked well

I bought this layout as a way to learn the many skills that go in to making a model railroad. Except for a few tools and supplies, such as liquid nails and a foam cutting tool, everything is here (if you by one of the track packs either from Atlas or Kato). The instructions are detailed and easy to follow. The entire "subTerrain" system is very well engineered. The layout is essentially an up and over folded dogbone configuration. One note though, this is not for unsupervised children (Grandpa talking here). The foam and track pieces are fragile until glued together and some of them are small and a swallowing hazard. However, with adult supervision and care, the layout can be assembled and then is very sturdy, not that you can hike along the creek bed.There are two issues I have with the layout though. One there is only one siding and it looks more like a yard track than an industry. I can't imagine playing with this for very long without getting bored watching the train go round and round and not really performing any work like a real railroad. There are two large flat areas in the middle of the layout. Other than the fact that they would have to include two more switches, these are ideal for some industries where the train could drop some cars and pick up cars like in the real world.The other issue is that you can't turn an engine or car around without picking it up off the layout. So there are no eastbound and westbound freights; just around and around and around freights. With a little effort(and four more switches and some flex track) I added two interchanges that could turn each of the ends of the dogbone into alternative reversing tracks.I'm taking pictures as I assemble the track and hope soon to write an online commentary about the process.

Missing pieces. Not enough scenic cement, smooth it, or hydrocal. Expect to buy a lot more stuff to make this kit work. I almost never post a review, but I'm so disappointed with this.

Having built many similar sized N Scale layouts I'm not particularly impressed with this kit. Firstly, the retail price of almost $400 is beyond ridiculous! If it came with everything in the picture on the box it might not be so bad but, when it boils down to it, it only comes with the very basic necessities, most of which could be purchased separately for well under $100 along with bits of odds and ends you probably have lying around the house, especially if you are into modelling.The construction of the kit is at least, if not more, complex than starting a layout from scratch. I would estimate that in order to make this kit appear as it does on the box you'd probably end up spending in excess of $1000.I'm a great fan of Woodland Scenics' products but this is an overpriced disaster. They should make the thing in an already premoulded styrofoam or extruded foam format with all the topography and base railbed so all you have to do is add the track, ground cover, scenery, buildings and bridges etc. That would cost about $50 and weigh just a couple of poundsMy advice to anyone considering buying this is just go to your local Lowes or Home Depot, buy a sheet of plywood then head off to the hobby shop and use your imagination.

I bought this from a hobby store - I didn't know it was available on Amazon. I am impressed, though I wish it was in a standard 4x8 format. However, since it's not, I'm making it the centerpiece of a 4x8 layout. That will allow me to have trains running in both directions, as well as to have operational sidings for "operations." I'm not an operator (not yet), as I get a thrill out of watching trains run. Still, I'm looking forward to what I plan to do (I also plan to add a "T" - a hollow-core door mounted cross-wise at one end of the layout, allowing me to create a town separated by a mountain ridge, with different features. Having this as the basis gives me a jump-start on a working layout, and I appreciate that.