Author: traiNmaster

After spending 35 years in Malaysia, I have decided to spend the other 35 years outside Malaysia. First stop, Germany!
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Zur Begleitung bei FREMO-Treffen: Fahrpersonal-Heft

traiNmaster

Seit der ersten Veröffentlichung der Triebfahrzeugführer-(Tf)-Hefte im Juli habe ich viele Komplimente und wertvolle Verbesserungsvorschläge erhalten. Diese Hefte wurden nun zu einem Fahrpersonal-Heft zusammengefasst, das die Aufgaben und Verantwortlichkeiten von Triebfahrzeugführer, Zugführer und Rangierleiter klar beschreibt. Since the first publication of the Train Driver (Tf) Booklets in July, I’ve received many compliments and valuable suggestions for improvement. These booklets have now been combined into a single Train Crew booklet, which clearly outlines the duties and responsibilities of the train driver, train conductor, and yardmaster. Zum Download FREMO Fahrpersonal-Heft Ver. 1.1 / Okt. 2025 Continue reading Zur Begleitung bei FREMO-Treffen: Fahrpersonal-Heft

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FREMO H0-RP25 Meet 2025 in Spabrücken: I Came. I Saw. I Learned!

traiNmaster

Summer is usually a relatively quiet period in the German model railroading scene. We call it the “Sommerloch” (summer gap), when many people head off on holiday. But not for FREMO members! Between June and August, you can find between 25 and 30 FREMO meets organised across Europe — often with participants from neighbouring countries. I was fortunate to attend an H0-scale meet in Spabrücken, Rhineland-Palatinate, on a Saturday. Der Sommer ist in der deutschen Modellbahnszene normalerweise eine eher ruhige Zeit. Wir nennen sie das „Sommerloch“, wenn viele in den Urlaub fahren. Aber nicht für FREMO-Mitglieder! Zwischen Juni und August … Continue reading FREMO H0-RP25 Meet 2025 in Spabrücken: I Came. I Saw. I Learned!

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Zur Begleitung bei FREMO-Treffen: Triebfahzeugsführer (Tf)-Hefte in Hand

traiNmaster

Aktuelles am 21.07.: Alle Tf-Hefte Version 1.0 stehen nicht mehr zum Downloaden zur Verfügung. Die Version 1.1, nun Fahrpersonal-Heft heißt, kann man hier herunterladen werden. Update as of 21.07.: All train driver manuals version 1.0 are no longer available for download. The Version 1.0, now called Train Crew Booklet can be downloaded here. Der Reiz von FREMO (FReundeskreis Europäischer MOdellbahner) liegt nicht nur in den modularen Anlagenarrangements auf den Treffen, sondern auch im realistischen Zugbetrieb nach Fahrplan sowie in der engen Zusammenarbeit der Mitspieler – etwa zwischen Zugleiter und Triebfahrzeugführer (Tf) im Zugleitbetrieb, also in signalarmen bzw. signalfreien Abschnitten, die … Continue reading Zur Begleitung bei FREMO-Treffen: Triebfahzeugsführer (Tf)-Hefte in Hand

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FREMO N-RE Regional Meet 2025 in Hanau-Großauheim

traiNmaster

In my April post, I shared my first-hand experience with FREMO as a guest of one of its members. During this year’s extended Ascension Day weekend, nearly 40 participants gathered for the 21st FREMO N-RE Regional Meet in Hanau-Großauheim. (N stands for N-scale; RE for Regelspur Europa — Standard Gauge Europe.) This time, I joined not as a guest, but as a FREMO member. In meinem April-Beitrag habe ich über meine ersten Erfahrungen mit FREMO als Gast eines Mitglieds berichtet. Während des verlängerten Christi-Himmelfahrts-Wochenendes in diesem Jahr trafen sich fast 40 Teilnehmer zum 21. FREMO N-RE Regionaltreffen in Hanau-Großauheim. (N … Continue reading FREMO N-RE Regional Meet 2025 in Hanau-Großauheim

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Controlling Single Turnout and Single Crossover Turnout with Servos and Arduino

traiNmaster

Note: Reposted from my entry in germaN87AC blog. The title and terms have been corrected. Paired turnout is correctly called single crossover turnout in this context. I wanted to use servos to control the turnouts on my planned RailAdventure H0-scale module (total 19 turnouts) and N-scale Timesaver (total 4 turnouts). Each turnout will have 2 LED indicators to indicate the straight and divergent route. These turnouts and LED will be mounted on a separate control panel for the respective module. It was always been my wish to learn how to create a control panel for such purposes. Finally, after watching … Continue reading Controlling Single Turnout and Single Crossover Turnout with Servos and Arduino

DCC and Electrical System, DCC-EX, Product ReviewLeave a comment

Review: World’s Smallest but Most Powerful All-in-One DCC/DC CommandStation

traiNmaster

Note: Reposted from my entry in germaN87AC blog The Hardware I think it is NOT preposterous to make the claim that the DCC-EX CommandStation/Booster 1 Express (EX-CSB1) is world’s smallest and most powerful all-in-one DCC/DC CommandStation/Booster. Its dimensions with the optional display case are L 73.6mm x W 70.7mm x H 19.5mm and weighs only 33 grams. After reading DCC-EX documentation, I was immediately convinced to get hold an EX-CSB1 to try out on my test track, module and eventually in-planning home layout. I owned Roco/Fleichmann z21 white CommandStation (it has since .been sold), a Märklin Central Station CS2 and … Continue reading Review: World’s Smallest but Most Powerful All-in-One DCC/DC CommandStation

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FREMO N-RE Meet 2025 in Nidderau-Heldenbergen: Bitten by FREMO-Bug

traiNmaster

A few weeks ago, I was invited by a friend to his N-scale FREMO meet-up near Frankfurt. I had seen and heard about Free-Mo/FREMO in videos on YouTube and other social media platforms, but this was my first hands-on experience seeing a FREMO operating session in action. Vor ein paar Wochen wurde ich von einem Freund zu seinem FREMO-Treffen in Spur N in der Nähe von Frankfurt eingeladen. Ich hatte schon Videos über Free-Mo/FREMO auf YouTube und in den sozialen Medien gesehen und gehört – aber dies war meine erste praktische Erfahrung, eine FREMO-Betriebssession live in Aktion zu erleben. It … Continue reading FREMO N-RE Meet 2025 in Nidderau-Heldenbergen: Bitten by FREMO-Bug

Layout Planning2 Comments

Layout Planning Simplified with AI ChatGPT

traiNmaster

14 years ago, when I started blogging my first post on model railroading and journaling my research on equipment, layout and materials for my now-defunct “Somewhere in Germany 1:160” segment layout, there was no ChatGPT or the likes. There were artificial intelligence (AI) though but not for commercial applications that we know of today. So this time, I wanted to test out the capability of ChatGPT in conceptualising and optimising my new layout “Rheinstreck Rüdesheim”. We had productive “conversations” over 3 days during my commuting to and from work, and in the evening before bedtime. Conversations with ChatGPT Here are … Continue reading Layout Planning Simplified with AI ChatGPT

Greetings2 Comments

germaN160 is Back!

traiNmaster

Yes, I decided that along with my Märklin 3-rail module (germaN87AC.com), to restart my germaN160 website (new URL germaN160.blog) and rejuvenate my modelrailroading hobby. I am currently planning an N-scale layout “Rheinstrecke Rüdesheim” ca. 1.8m x 0.6m, consisting 2/3rd visible area and 1/3rd staging area. Here is an initial sketch of the control centre that I that I want to build and operate. The layout will be a DC (analog layout). Stay tune for more! Continue reading germaN160 is Back!