Author: traiNmaster

After spending 35 years in Malaysia, I have decided to spend the other 35 years outside Malaysia. First stop, Germany!
Benchwork, German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning Book4 Comments

“Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – Final Version

traiNmaster

As promised, here is my updated “Somewhere in Germany” (“Irgendwo in Deutschland”) trackplan. I would call this the final version since for the past 2 weeks I have discussed and finetuned with a fellow N-scale modeler from Germany this trackplan. He has been kind and helpful to translate my 1st version paper drawing into a digital plan using SCARM. A BIG DANKE SCHÖN, DIRK! Basically, he took my requirements and wishes (what John Armstrong would call as “Givens and Druthers“) and made some modifications to my trackplan while still retaining my basic concept. I am pleased with the final result. In my initial plan, I had some … Continue reading “Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – Final Version

Benchwork, Diorama Development, German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

Experimenting with Module Building – ICE Diorama Rework

traiNmaster

For the last 2 weeks I have not been active in this blog instead have been active in a German model railway forum, developing my track plan together with a few modelers. I will get back to that topic at a later date. In the meantime, I have visited a large handy mart Hornbach and searched almost every row and corner for something useful for my layout and diorama. I got most of the tools I needed for model railway construction as I have zero to start with. So the initial investment in tools will make a major dent in … Continue reading Experimenting with Module Building – ICE Diorama Rework

German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

“Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – 1st Version

traiNmaster

I have finally put my thoughts on paper. The theme of my layout is “Somewhere in Germany” (“Irgendwo in Deutschland”). Over 11m double-track, I want to capture the atmosphere and the feeling of somewhere in Germany without being specific where in Germany. Let me give you a short intro of the space and my benchwork/trackplan concept. Feel free to comment. Tell me what you like and dislike about the trackplan. – I have been given an enclosed balcony 3.7m (12ft) x 1.4m (4.6ft). The layout will be “around the wall” concept with 30cm (11.8in) width on the long side and 60cm … Continue reading “Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – 1st Version

Exhibitions/Fairs, German Railways2 Comments

Surprised Appearance in Eisenbahn-Romantik Magazine

traiNmaster

I received my Oct/Nov 2013 issue of the Eisenbahn-Romantik magazine and was surprised to find myself in this issue. This photo was taken at Internationale Modellbahnausstellung (IMA) in Köln-Deutz last year. Unfortunately I was wrongly identified as a Japanese railway fan …. sigh … Here are the original photo and the autograph. Continue reading Surprised Appearance in Eisenbahn-Romantik Magazine

Benchwork, Diorama Development, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

20cm Space Brings Wonders to N-scale

traiNmaster

As I looked back into the photos of my ICE diorama (to be reworked and completed), it strikes me how much space 20cm offers to N-scale. I always think that bigger is better. More space for more things. But sometimes, more space means find things to fill. And we start putting everything that we can get our hands on and fit them in. Perhaps, if we take the minimalist approach to modeling, we strike a balance between railway and nature. Ponder for a while. I started with a piece of hobby pine wood 80cm x 20cm in 2012 and did … Continue reading 20cm Space Brings Wonders to N-scale

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

Life Makes Constant Changes

traiNmaster

As much as you like to plan for things in life, sometimes things do not turn out the way you wanted it to be. Take for instance the model railway. When I was in Malaysia, I wanted so much to have a layout even a small one. For first 30 years of my life, I lived with my extended family – uncles, aunties, cousins in my grandpa’s shophouse in Kuala Lumpur. Imagine 20 people in one house. It was in 1998 that I bought my first Life-Like HO-scale starter set – Santa Fe freight set – with my own life … Continue reading Life Makes Constant Changes

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Planning Book2 Comments

Finalised Tilt-table Benchwork (including measurements)

traiNmaster

Finally, after all the discussions and comments from fellow modellers and having sleepless nights how best to realise my tilt-table benchwork, here is the result. I have put down the measurements so that you too can build one. What is important to note is that you can adjust the size of your tabletop. I am doing 240cm (L) x 120cm x 15cm (H) using two equal frames. This translates to about 8ft (L) x 4ft x 0,5ft (H). You can have smaller or larger tabletop to suit your need; the largestever made was 5ft x 9ft by Suzan. The side … Continue reading Finalised Tilt-table Benchwork (including measurements)

Layout Planning, Planning Book6 Comments

Ballastless Track System for German High-speed Railway

traiNmaster

For those who wants to model the German high-speed railway network (read: ICE), the ballastless track system is a common feature on certain stretches, one of them is the Frankfurt-Köln strecth with 4% gradient. In this website Project VDE8 (Projekt Deutsch Einheit 8), the construction of the ballastless track system is explained and illustrated. This will help you in modelling the system in your preferred scale. Source: Project VDE8 Continue reading Ballastless Track System for German High-speed Railway