Author: traiNmaster

After spending 35 years in Malaysia, I have decided to spend the other 35 years outside Malaysia. First stop, Germany!
FREMO, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Setup for Monday Deliveries

traiNmaster

Note: Note: This will be a series of posts relating to my first FREMO N-scale module based on N-RE (Spur N Regelspur Europa; N-scale Standard Gauge Europe) standards. I hope you will enjoy reading about the background of a private branch line (private Nebenbahn) located near the river Aller in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), as well as my planning, construction, and eventually the operation of the FREMO module. Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. Living the Philosophy: DB Sets the Clock, Effem Determines the Priority, VWE Keeps the Flow In my freight operations concept post, I described the transfer between the DB Verden … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Setup for Monday Deliveries

FREMO, Layout Planning1 Comment

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Freight Operations Concept

traiNmaster

Note: This will be a series of posts relating to my first FREMO N-scale module based on N-RE (Spur N Regelspur Europa; N-scale Standard Gauge Europe) standards. I hope you will enjoy reading about the background of a private branch line (private Nebenbahn) located near the river Aller in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), as well as my planning, construction, and eventually the operation of the FREMO module. Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. A Quick Recap What I didn’t quite realise when starting this project is that the prototype at Verden Süd naturally lends itself to two operating modes: a single … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Freight Operations Concept

FREMO, Layout Planning5 Comments

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Track Plan Concept

traiNmaster

Note: This will be a series of posts relating to my first FREMO N-scale module based on N-RE (Spur N Regelspur Europa; N-scale Standard Gauge Europe) standards. I hope you will enjoy reading about the background of a private branch line (private Nebenbahn) located near the river Aller in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), as well as my planning, construction, and eventually the operation of the FREMO module. Update 01.02.: Separate section for German version for better readability. Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. Concept Overview In this second post, I delve into my concept and planning for my first FREMO N-scale module. … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Track Plan Concept

FREMO, Layout Planning6 Comments

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Past and Present

traiNmaster

Note: Note: This will be a series of posts relating to my first FREMO N-scale module based on N-RE (Spur N Regelspur Europa; N-scale Standard Gauge Europe) standards. I hope you will enjoy reading about the background of a private branch line (private Nebenbahn) located near the river Aller in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), as well as my planning, construction, and eventually the operation of the FREMO module. Update 01.02.: Separate section for German version for better readability. Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. Why I Chose Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn Before I dive into the history of the Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE), I … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Past and Present

AnyRail, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Tricks in Adding “Rolling Stock” to AnyRail Track Plan

traiNmaster

Currently, AnyRail does not include object libraries or user object libraries for rolling stock such as locomotives, passenger cars, or freight wagons. However, you may still want to check track spacing and determine how many freight wagons you can realistically fit on each siding. By using the existing features in AnyRail, you can create your own “rolling stock” objects and add them to your track plan for positioning and spacing checks. First, choose the longest wagon and locomotive you plan to use on your layout. Measure the body length—both with and without buffers—as well as the body width. In my … Continue reading Tricks in Adding “Rolling Stock” to AnyRail Track Plan

AnyRail, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Centerline View Matters More Than Track View in Track Planning

traiNmaster

I know that when it comes to track planning software, we usually want to see the actual tracks and turnouts—preferably with roadbed. However, any track planning software that offers a centerline view brings an added level of advantage. When it comes to actual track laying on your layout or module, you typically draw centerlines to guide the placement of roadbed (cork, foam, or other materials) or directly position tracks and turnouts along those lines. These centerlines ensure that the tracks are properly aligned. Why not do the same in your track planning software? AnyRail offers this feature under Show → … Continue reading Centerline View Matters More Than Track View in Track Planning

AnyRail, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Google Maps/Earth Aids Track Planning Fidelity in AnyRail

traiNmaster

We often get inspiration for our model railroads from our favourite railways or locations. We might like a particular station, junction, or industrial track plan and want to incorporate it into our own layout. With AnyRail, you can import images from Google Maps or Google Earth, resize them, and use them as a baseline for laying out your model railroad tracks. This is how I did it. First, I selected the industrial area and the corresponding tracks I wanted to model in Google Maps/Earth. Using a snipping tool, I defined and captured the required area. In AnyRail, go to Insert … Continue reading Google Maps/Earth Aids Track Planning Fidelity in AnyRail

AnyRail, Layout Planning, Product ReviewLeave a comment

Review: PowerPoint-like AnyRail Track Planner (Updated)

traiNmaster

Update 21.12. and 29.12.: I have updated this post with more information about the AnyRail features and changed the title from MS Office-like to PowerPoint-like. It was a coincidence that I discovered the AnyRail track planner software. I had previously used the licensed version of SCARM (Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller) for track planning. SCARM is a well-established layout planning program with a solid model train simulator and a 3D viewer. Some features take practice to master—just like any new software or hobby. I decided to give AnyRail a try to see how it compares and what, if anything, it … Continue reading Review: PowerPoint-like AnyRail Track Planner (Updated)

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Mehr als ein FRED in Hand: Zugführer-Holster zum Tragen von Werkzeugen

traiNmaster

In 99 % der Fälle bei FREMO-Treffen übernimmt das Fahrpersonal als Mitspieler faktisch zwei zusammengebundene Rollen: Lokführer und Zugführer. Ich selbst habe nur ein einziges Mal – beim H0-RP25-Treffen in Spabrücken – erlebt, dass Lokführer und Zugführer tatsächlich getrennte Rollen waren; beide arbeiteten dabei mit identischen Buchfahrplänen. In 99% of cases at FREMO meetings, the operating crew as participants effectively take on two combined roles: locomotive driver and train conductor. I myself have experienced only once – at the H0-RP25 meeting in Spabrücken – that the roles of locomotive driver and train conductor were actually separated; in that case, both … Continue reading Mehr als ein FRED in Hand: Zugführer-Holster zum Tragen von Werkzeugen