Born from a concept in late 2003, this award
winning modular layout is bringing 1:20.3 Narrow Gauge modeling to the
masses.
The brainchild of Frank
Palmer and Richard Schmitt, efforts to bring
the Sundance Central to life began in earnest in January of 2004. Four
years later, the layout is going strong. Comprised of 22 modules, the
Sundance fills a space 45 by 20 feet when fully assembled and lays
claim to an amazing variety of landscaping including massive model
trees that stretch over five actual
feet into the air.
Everything about the
Sundance is designed to impress. "The purpose
for forming our modular group was to provide the public a realistic
look at model railroading in a detailed large-scale format" said
Schmitt in a recent discussion. Detailed large-scale indeed. Two
separate trestles are featured on the layout, both reaching 15 feet in
length and a continuous 40 inch backdrop lines the inside perimeter of
the display.
Even the track work on the
Sundance Central exudes a level of quality
not found on most large scale layouts. "Since track makes up so
much of any train layout it was considered from the beginning that ours
would be part of the visual experience." The hand-laid code 250
rail is set on metal tie plates. It is then individually
spiked onto hand-cut wooden ties.
As equally impressive as
the scenery are the trains that roll past it.
The Sundance clearly exhibits its members' strong ties to Colorado
narrow gauge. Rio Grande K-27s, K-28s, K-36s, and K-37s as well as
C-21s and a plethora of well weathered, well-worn, rolling stock keep
the Sundance buzzing with activity. Though initially this modular
railroad was traditionally track powered, 2007 saw the entire
locomotive fleet remote-controlled using Airwire products coupled with
on-board batteries and Phoenix sound systems.
A truly spectacular
layout, the Sundance Central sits at the pinnacle
of large scale layouts with the likes of Southern California's Del
Oro Pacific. Today six
additional team members, Jim Hopes, Dale
MacKeown, Keith Wolfe, Bob Pero, Dave Revelia and Brian Nolan, join
Palmer and Schmitt in the day-to-day construction and operation duties
on the Sundance Central. These members should be congratulated, not
only for their fine modeling work, but for the countless hours spent
bringing this gargantuan display to local shows - helping to introduce
1:20.3 modeling to the next generation of hobbyists.
To the members of the
Sundance Central, we here at 1:20.me
say Bravo!
To learn more about the Sundance Central, visit their web site at
http://www.sundancecentral.org/
To see the Sundance Central in person, visit these upcoming model
railroad events:
The SELSTS, February 2008, Perry, GA
The Big Train Show, June 2008, Ontario, CA
The NNGC, September 2008, Portland, OR