COMME-N-TARY: A Mountain from a Cardboard Box Creating the Alleghenies in N Scale About our N-scale columnist
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M
ountain railroads have always appealed to modelers. The prototype scenery is spectacular and can provide a great-looking stage for our trains. The irregular terrain provides justification for the railroad to double back on itself (an advantage for the oftenpresent model peninsula), and tunnels provide convenient excuses for trains to duck out of sight (Figure 1).
East Coast Prototype
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The east coast version of North American terrain is old geology. As a result, the mountains are relatively gentle and low enough for the tree line to (almost always) reach the top of the terrain. The trees are often mostly or completely deciduous, resulting in a homogenous “blanket” of green. The terrain is often tall enough to tower well above the railroad, naturally creating useful view blocks. The east coast railroad taking shape in my basement runs through the mountains of Central Pennsylvania. The track plan includes a large central peninsula and above-grade terrain that blends into the backdrop. The basement needs lots of hills and lots of trees.
FIGURE 1: An Norfolk Southern freight heads downgrade at Gallitzin, PA., with “The Mountain” in the background. Page 142 • Issue 10 • Nov/Dec 2010 • Comme-N-tary, page 1
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