The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland

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Originally Posted by BigThunder

Here's the updated plan for my HOn30 model of the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...0_plan_web.jpg

If you compare it to the actual WED layout of the attraction you can see the compromises and selective compressions I've had to make to get the whole thing to fit in my 8x5' space.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/dlwilder/nw.gif

I'm pretty happy with it overall, but I wish I had room to include the Mark Twain in front of Cascade Peak as I had planned. Oh well, I did fit in a short bit of the DLRR - though it runs a lot closer to my Nature's Wonderland than it ever did in real life.

Next up: construction!

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Good stuff, BigT, damn.

That's a really well done plan! Too bad I can't fit the DLRR on mine unlike yours!

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Originally Posted by BigThunder

^Yes, I know. But then I'd gladly sacrifice the Toontown station (which isn't even in Toontown) for a Frontierland expansion.;)

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By chance do yo uhave a copy of the dvd of this attraction from Extinct Attractions?? If not, you should get it, very informative.

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Originally Posted by PLAZAINN1

By chance do yo uhave a copy of the dvd of this attraction from Extinct Attractions?? If not, you should get it, very informative.

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I've got it, and yes it is very informative.

For those too young to remember it, here's an interesting view of 'modern' Frontierland with the NWRR on an overlay so you can see exactly where it was:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...nwrr_today.jpg

It really took up a lot of real estate. That's an area almost 3 times the size of the current BTMRR.

So... That building might still contain the Rainbow Caverns? o_o

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Originally Posted by SnowflakeSparks

So... That building might still contain the Rainbow Caverns? o_o

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Sadly, no. The show building that housed the Rainbow Caverns is long gone. I just added it to the shot so people could see its location next to the castle.

Ah. I see, and that sucks. D:

And also:

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Originally Posted by BigThunder

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...lder/nwrr3.jpg

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Dude I'm digging that locomotive, I practically like it more than the original. Probaly cause I'm fond of 6 wheel locomotives.

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Originally Posted by SnowflakeSparks

Ah. I see, and that sucks. D:

And also:

Dude I'm digging that locomotive, I practically like it more than the original. Probaly cause I'm fond of 6 wheel locomotives.

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Thanks, I like 'em too. My past experience with N scale 0-4-0s (when you could get them) is that they didn't run very well. Using the Atlas mechanism means that the locomotives will have all-wheel electrical pick-up and that really helps with small engines like this.

Pretty nifty locomotive there.

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Originally Posted by Nautilus

Here's a photo...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...hotograph2.jpg

This photo created the spark for my own NWRR model project. The amount of detail and color this photo shows got me interested in Nature's Wonderland and inspired me to build the model (or to contiune building the model ;) )

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Geek question: They obviously weren't live steam, the stack is all wrong and there's no exhaust. Were these gasoline/hydraulic powered (a disguised Plymouth switcher) like Casey Jr? Or batteries? Powered rails?

--<< Bruce >>--

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Originally Posted by Bruce Bergman

Geek question: They obviously weren't live steam, the stack is all wrong and there's no exhaust. Were these gasoline/hydraulic powered (a disguised Plymouth switcher) like Casey Jr? Or batteries? Powered rails?

--<< Bruce >>--

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They ran off forklift batteries that lasted for years when the manuafacturer said they wouldn't last long! It was the way Disney used them that made them last so long.

I think I recall reading something in one of the MouseTales books about them being battery powered...can't recall the specifics though.

Edit: Appears I'm too late, Nautilus beat me to it.

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Originally Posted by Nautilus

They ran off forklift batteries that lasted for years when the manuafacturer said they wouldn't last long! It was the way Disney used them that made them last so long.

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Yes, and they also had working sand domes for traction on the grades and compressed air tanks in the false boilers to operate the brakes and whistles. Pretty clever design all the way around.

Here is a REAL H.K. Porter Co. steam locomotive:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...lder/ca314.jpg

It was this type of small industrial engine that inspired the design of the NWRR locomotives.

Here's what you can do with a 6-drivered engine. These are Nn3 (they run on the tiniest track commercially available). Notice how the modeler "hid" the third driver on the Gurley. I find the workmanship here among the best I've ever seen:

http://www.agidistrict.com/trains/al...G_2373_2_1.JPG

http://www.agidistrict.com/trains/al...G_3500_1_1.JPG

More can be viewed here:

http://www.agidistrict.com/trains/