Category: Layout Planning

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)

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

DCC and Electrical System, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Build #14: Turnouts Turned Out ….

traiNmaster

I am satisfied so far with the flex tracks that I have laid so far on Segments G, H and A as you can see in Build #12 and Build #13. Since then, I have spent about 10 minutes per day running my ICE 2 (Fleischmann) and ICE 3 (Arnold) models up and down the double tracks. The idea was to make sure that the track work does not cause any derailment. The track work was perfect. There was an “unintended” derailment, but not due to track work (see my Facebook report in germaN160 by traiNmaster on 25 June) Over … Continue reading Build #14: Turnouts Turned Out ….