Author: traiNmaster

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

InterCity Express (ICE): The Flagship of Deutsche Bahn

traiNmaster

The ICE (InterCity-Express) is the flagship (ie. flag carrier) of Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG). The ICE is synonymous with DB AG and is an instant brand recognition for Germany. But don’t be mistaken with other ICE especially ICE 3. The same Siemens Velaro/ICE 3 design can be found in the Netherlands (operating as HiSpeed) and Switzerland (ICE SBB). The same design is also found in China high-speed railway as CRH3C, in Spain Velaro E and in Russia Velaro RUS. For more information on ICE, visit wiki or this special issue of Eisenbahn (Railway) Journal. There are only 3 manufacturers … Continue reading InterCity Express (ICE): The Flagship of Deutsche Bahn

Diorama DevelopmentLeave a comment

ICE Diorama: Reposts from My Other Blog

traiNmaster

I am reposting by way of links my ICE diorama progress. No further work has been done on it. In fact I have dismantled part of the tracks as I did not like the results. I will post my rework here. For now, here are the earlier postings: 8 .Oct 2011: German Model Railway Diorama 29. Oct 2011: Track Alignment 30. Oct 2011: Base Preparation 2. Nov 2011: Artist’s Impressions 2. Nov 2011: Need A Tunnel? 3. Nov 2011: Not a Time to Tighten the Curve 5. Nov 2011: Modelling Toolkit 6. Nov 2011: Laying Tracks and Superelevation 6. Nov … Continue reading ICE Diorama: Reposts from My Other Blog

Exhibitions/Fairs, German RailwaysLeave a comment

Another Surprise Gift: Fleischmann N-scale BR 111 E-Loco

traiNmaster

I attended Internationale Modellbahn Ausstellung 2012 (International model railway exhibition) in Köln Messe/Deutz last Saturday. It was my first exhibition this year as I was too occupied at work and weekends to attend other exhibitions (usually I made it a point to visit 2-3 exhibitions per year). I participated in a lucky draw from Alba Publications and to my surprise and delight, I received a Fleischmann BR 111 E-Lok in DB red livery when I reached home last night. I still have not had a chance to test run it but it would make a wonderful addition to my other … Continue reading Another Surprise Gift: Fleischmann N-scale BR 111 E-Loco

Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

Lucky Draw Win: “DB Netze Infrastrukturprojekte 2012” Coffee table Book

traiNmaster

One advantage of working for Deutsche Bahn is you have information about trains and its operations (only publicly available information are published here). DB Projektbau GmbH, a subsidiary of DB Netze (railway infrastructure company) published a coffee-table book about their infrastructure projects in 2012. I won this book through an internal lucky draw. This wonderful book (in German/Deutsch) is available for Eurailpress from 48 Euro. A good book to have if you want to follow the construction guidelines of tunnels, bridges and right-of-ways of DB. Definitely an idea book for my N-scale layout. Continue reading Lucky Draw Win: “DB Netze Infrastrukturprojekte 2012” Coffee table Book

German RailwaysLeave a comment

A short trip on BR 52 4867

traiNmaster

The Eisenbahn Museum (railway museum) of Darmstadt organised a special trip between Bad Homburg, where I lived and a small town about 45 minutes north called Usingen. I must admit the Germans love their trains (and any machines for a fact). This WWII steam locomotive BR (Baureihe, Class) 52 4867 is well-maintained. First 3 photos showed BR52 running tender first. The return trip to Bad Homburg with the head first. Watch my video showing how the loco made a turnaround and coupled for our return trip from Usingen Bf (Bf: Bahnhof, railway station) and between Friedrichdorf Bf to Bad Homburg Bf. Continue reading A short trip on BR 52 4867

Layout PlanningLeave a comment

NEM Standards for N-scale Modellers

traiNmaster

Looking for the N-scale measurements of various NEM (Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen) standards? I made JPG files of them here. Feel free to download and refer. Note: depending whether you are using code 55 or code 80 tracks, with or without cork roadbed and extra under-layers, these measurements below are always from the top of the rail. So if you have a 3mm cork on your plywood base, and using code 55 PECO tracks (3,1mm), you can add 6,1mm to these height measurements (if you are measuring from the plywood base) SO: Schienenoberkante (top of rail) NEM102 defines the clearance (loading … Continue reading NEM Standards for N-scale Modellers

German Railways, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Deciphering Oliver’s HO-scale Neustadt Layout

traiNmaster

While commuting to and from work, I had the time to read thoroughly, and repeatedly Oliver Bachmeier’s Neustadt HO-scale layout. I read his descriptions of his layout building as well as analysed closely the track plans and photos to decipher some missing information. The more I read and analysed his layout, the more I like his layout. Overall, his layout is based on 2 oval tracks on a 3.3m by 1.5m base. However, the beauty of his layout is compounded by the presence of a helix and a staging yard below the top main layers. In fact, there are 3 … Continue reading Deciphering Oliver’s HO-scale Neustadt Layout

German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

Adopt and Adapt in Model Railway Building

traiNmaster

Have you ever had the feeling that you wanted to incorporate many things into your model railway after looking at those wonderful, impressive, realistic models at shows, Youtube and magazines? Or, even to incorporate many things in real-life. Well I do. And sometimes, I just have to be realistic with space and effort. Let’s talk about space before talking about effort. For many years I had this book “Shelf Layouts for Model Railroads” by Ian Rice (published by Kalmbach Books). In Malaysia, I had a train room (but never got to build one). Now that I am in Germany and … Continue reading Adopt and Adapt in Model Railway Building

BenchworkLeave a comment

IKEA IVAR Shelf Layout

traiNmaster

This is my first post for 2012, which means I better start doing something about my layout. I have a small apartment here and have to be realistic with the available space. I found the IKEA IVAR shelf which I think, makes a suitable N-scale layout. This frame is actually the side frame of the IVAR shelf system. It comes in 3 heights – 124cm, 179cm and 226cm and 2 widths – 30cm and 50cm. The above is 226cm high and 50cm wide. I got 2 of these frames to make a 226cm by 100cm layout (if arranged as below) … Continue reading IKEA IVAR Shelf Layout