With already having multiple modules and one end of a ZTM-440™ layout, I needed to develop another end module to create a self-sufficient home ZTM-440 layout. Of course, if know me well, you would expect that this would not be an ordinary module.
Shown in its completed form, the new module was on display at a recent show up in Monroe, WA.
Rather than a simple loop around module, I decided to try an idea that I had regarding the use of the Rokuhan “shorty” line of products - the result is a standalone Shorty layout above the loop back mainline tracks for the ZTM-440 layout circuit. And what better theme in having a dinosaur layout that will prove popular with the younger crowd!
My first concern was how to get an interesting layout in the limited space of roughly 25” by 14” (or in Z-scale terms, around 2.7 acres :0). A Shorty design can operate with much smaller radius than traditional standard gauge trains which provides an opportunity to get more than just a simple loop in such a small area.
Here is what I came up with after a number of attempts using the collection of track I had at hand. Key to note is that I tried using some even smaller curves than are in this final design but decided against those since the smoothness of even Shorty trains through these smaller radii seems strained and not very pleasing to watch.
The other major consideration was that this plan requires an up and over to take best advantage of the space and to provide much more character to the layout.
The track foundation used is Woodland Scenics foam that help establish the smooth grades. My intention is to run the train up the outside loop and then let it flow down the inside back to a planned station to be located at the expansion track shown in open space at the base level.
I had to do quite a bit of sculpting with the foam since it normally take much more lateral space than what I had for this tightly routed track - this resulted in many sections of the foam being disconnected pieces but with some care, I was able to glue those in place.
Next was filling in the surfaces between the tracks - first by adding some spare foam and then by covering it all in plaster cloth. This helps to create a number of separate mini-scenes for the layout - the larger being the station area (upper right pink space) and the two center areas surrounded by the inner loops.
Here is a Pterodactyl’s eye view of the finished mini-layout … my little “dinosaur park train”. The train used is a Rokuhan Shorty with one of the middle cars powered.
And finally a return view taken at this module’s first public showing - the dinosaur theme was a definite success as we mix two popular play aspects: trains and dinosaurs. Little did I know until this outing that there is a popular PBS kids show known as “Dinosaur Trains”.
