Author: traiNmaster

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

Locomotives Bible ….. Amen!

traiNmaster

I walked past a bookshop called Jokers, yes that is what is it called, near Dom/Römer in Frankfurt and found this 360-page book about all locomotives of the world – Locomotiven: Das Ultimative Handbuch (Locomotives: The Ultimate Handbook) (published by GeraMond) at a discount. This book is of course in Deutsch and hence, another chance to improve my Deutsch. In this book you will find the oldest, the most produced, the smallest, the largest, the strongest, the fastest, the heaviest, the most successful, the extraordinary,  the most failed, the most beautiful steam, diesel, electric locomotives and tractions in the world. … Continue reading Locomotives Bible ….. Amen!

Layout Planning, Product Review2 Comments

Turnouts Jigsaw Puzzle

traiNmaster

I have convinced myself that I would go with Peco code 55 Universal Fine Streamline turnouts and tracks for my layout. Although code 55 is actually code 80 rails embedded onto the ties, Peco is the only manufacturer that makes flex tracks with concrete sleepers for N-scale. It is a pity that other such as Minitrix, Fleischmann, Piko and even Atlas have not being able to convince themselves to offer flex tracks with concrete sleeps. For the US model railroad manufacturer Atlas, it is understandable as most US tracks do not have concrete sleepers. But for the European/German manufacturers, hmm ….. … Continue reading Turnouts Jigsaw Puzzle

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Product ReviewLeave a comment

More than Just Tiger Woods

traiNmaster

As you can see, I am progressing on my first layout. The track plan is ready with some modifications once I get the frame done. My track work will be based on Oliver Bachmeier’s HO-scale track plan. The other structures and landscapes will be entirely different. I do not intend to replicate Oliver’s layout in N-scale. However, I do find his track work interesting as it incorporated a helix (or to be precise, nolix – a stretched version of helix), turnaround track and fiddle yard underneath the top visible level but within the same 2,3m by 1,0m frame. I do … Continue reading More than Just Tiger Woods

Benchwork, Layout Planning6 Comments

Eureka! Tilt-Table Layout Contruction!

traiNmaster

Another challenge that I faced is how to construct my layout that can be easily stored and transported. Most people have a basement, room or even an attic to spare, even for a 4 by 8 foot layout. Yet, I will be constructing a 100cm by 226cm layout using IKEA IVAR frames (equivalent to 3,3 by 7,4 feet for those using the non-metric unit of measurements). I could not put my layout on a flat (normal) position due to lack of space in living room or even any other room. With the remodelling of my apartment living room, some spare … Continue reading Eureka! Tilt-Table Layout Contruction!

Layout Planning, Product Review2 Comments

American vs European N-scale Passenger Cars

traiNmaster

Now that I have my ICE 2 trainset and Amtrak Superliner Phase II cars unboxed, I could make comparisons between the two. Earlier I had compared the American Dash 8-32  and European Class BR 185, both in HO-scale. While this comparison of N-scale passenger cars is not a like-for-like but it makes an interesting note. The Amtrak Superliner dining car is a bi-level car with a height of 31mm above the rail (or 4,96m scale height) while the ICE 2 intermediate coach/wagon is 24mm above rail (or 3,84m scale height); a difference of 7mm (or nearly 1,0m scale height) Lengthwise, … Continue reading American vs European N-scale Passenger Cars

Exhibitions/Fairs, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

The Fun of Model Railroad Planning

traiNmaster

I could not think of any other hobby that is so multi-disciplinary and multi-facet. Could you? Come to think of it, even at the most basic level, this hobby involves some conceptualization and design work, carpentry, electrical and electronics, mechanical works, landscaping and painting and etc. I have quite some reference books from my earlier days of planning for a US-based layout but have since acquired some German railway books (it also helped me to improve my Deutsch). With my new Billy shelf, I have now a proper place for my books and within easy reach. As I am also … Continue reading The Fun of Model Railroad Planning

Benchwork, Layout Planning2 Comments

The Challenge of A Tilting House

traiNmaster

I lived in an old but modernized house (Altbauwohnung) near Frankfurt. Most of the houses in my area are of these types. While the owner has done wonderful job in modernizing his 3-story house, one of the challenges I face is uneven floors at every part of my apartment. Even in the living room, different corners have different degrees of tilt (I don’t think the house is of any risk of collapsing; else, it wouldn’t be fit for occupancy) I have taken some measurements from a spirit level app on my smartphone (showing inches of rise per foot) This means … Continue reading The Challenge of A Tilting House

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Product ReviewLeave a comment

New Home for Collections

traiNmaster

It was a quiet Christmas in Deutschland. Unlike in Malaysia, where the streets and shopping malls are crowded with people and decorations, Christmas in Deutschland is a rather private affair. 2 weeks before Christmas, I bought quite some stuffs from Ikea and this was the only time I could fix them. The new BILLY book shelf was a welcomed item to the home. I could now take out my collections – models and reference books and have them properly shelved and easily to reach. Model railroad magazines, reference books and planning materials, both German and American railroads. Finally BR185 and … Continue reading New Home for Collections

Product Review1 Comment

Kato USA N-scale California Zephyr 11-Car Set

traiNmaster

Today is the start of my first Christmas/year-end holidays and I took the opportunity to clean up my place. I brought all my model railroad stuffs that I bought and collected all these years and thought it would be time to give them some sunshine. I need to clear the space at the balcony for a new IKEA Billy shelf, which will house all my railway books, magazines and of course, a proper storage for my models (Pictures and story about that shelf will come later). One of the stuffs that I bought from Wig-Wag Trains online store, one of … Continue reading Kato USA N-scale California Zephyr 11-Car Set