Measuring just 500mm x 350mm, this narrow gauge Micro layout is based on the 2’6″ Cypress forest railways located in Japan and Taiwan, built there during Japanese colonial rule.
This 1:80 HO scale, narrow gauge micro layout is set in a modified bee hive frame and features hand curved 9mm narrow gauge track representing a 2’6″ prototype. Log Camp is a typical representation of the Cedar/Cypress mountain forest railways which can still be found in both Japan & Taiwan.
This commissioned micro layout was inspired by railway relics located in the Kiso Valley on Japan plus some abandoned railway spurs at Taiwan’s Alishan Forest Railway.
The diorama features a sawmill spur, a rough hewn tunnel, a 55mm radius curved and cambered trestle over a deep rock canyon, an ‘S’ shaped bridge and three generation of Cypress trees. The layout It includes a built in, remote controlled MP3 player with bass reflex speakers hidden within the structure.
Full build detail pictures can be found here:
I’m guiding a series of small group, narrow gauge rail tours to Taiwan and Japan. Highlights of the Taiwan tour is a visit to the spectacular Alishan Forest Railway which climbs from sea level to 2.200m in just 75 kilometers and on special occasions, still operates a Shay geared locomotive!
Check out OzSteam.com for more information as well as tour departure dates.
AloJapan.com