Category: Layout Planning

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Better VWE Track and Module Planning with GIS Images and Data

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Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. One of the most useful resources for planning my VWE modules is the public GIS (Geographic Information System) portal provided by the City of Verden (Aller). Instead of relying solely on Google Maps or Google Earth, I can now work with much sharper aerial imagery, with resolutions down to a scale of 1:100, together with a wide range of additional geospatial data. The high-resolution imagery makes it much easier to verify important details of the prototype that I want to capture on each module, resulting in more accurate track planning and scenery. Google Earth still … Continue reading Better VWE Track and Module Planning with GIS Images and Data

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Essential MOROP NEM (European Model Railway) Standards for European N-scale (1:160)

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Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. When I built my first N-scale segment layout in 2014, I followed the MOROP NEM standards for European N scale (1:160). I continue to use the same approach when building my FREMO N-RE modules. Standardisation becomes even more important in FREMO, as every module must be able to connect and operate seamlessly with those built by other members. In addition to the MOROP NEM standards, each FREMO scale group also has its own standards and recommended practices that should be followed. To make these standards easier to access, I have summarised the essential MOROP NEM … Continue reading Essential MOROP NEM (European Model Railway) Standards for European N-scale (1:160)

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Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Track Plan on “Effem (Eitze)” and “Kuhweg” Adjusted

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Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. The module frame construction is now officially complete. All legs can be attached to and removed from each segment, making every module free-standing, with the exception of the newly added “Kuhweg” module. Since it only has two legs, it needs to be supported by the adjoining modules. Even so, I prefer this new arrangement. The overall length has remained more or less the same, but visually the “Kuhweg” module creates a much better transition between “Effem” and “Verden Süd”. You can clearly see the difference by comparing the two track plans below. For now, “Verden … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Track Plan on “Effem (Eitze)” and “Kuhweg” Adjusted

FREMO, Layout Planning2 Comments

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Kiss The Ground

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Note: All photos shown here were taken from public area. Deutsche Version weiter unten, hier klicken. After months of planning my Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn track plan with the aid of Google Maps, Google Earth, Bing Maps, OpenRailwayMap, and every other image source I could get hold of, there was one thing that continued to bother me. Satellite imagery provides an excellent “helicopter view”, but it does not show what is really on the ground. The small details that make a model convincingly realistic simply cannot be seen from above. To resolve that, I decided to contact the VWE local operations manager … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Kiss The Ground

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Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Module Drawings Finalised

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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. Givens and Druthers North American modellers will be familiar with the term “Givens and Druthers”, popularised by the late John Armstrong. “Givens” are the hard parameters that define a model … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Module Drawings Finalised

FREMO, Layout Planning6 Comments

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Final FREMO Module Vision 1.0

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 Recap At the beginning of the year, I detailed my initial track plan concept for my FREMO N-RE modules. While the final vision has evolved considerably since then, many … Continue reading Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Final FREMO Module Vision 1.0

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Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Setup for Monday Deliveries 1.0

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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 1.0

FREMO, Layout Planning2 Comments

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Freight Operations Concept 1.0

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 1.0

FREMO, Layout Planning7 Comments

Verden-Walsroder Eisenbahn (VWE): Track Plan Concept 1.0

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 1.0

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