Category: Product Review

Layout Planning, Product Review2 Comments

Turnouts Jigsaw Puzzle

traiNmaster

I have convinced myself that I would go with Peco code 55 Universal Fine Streamline turnouts and tracks for my layout. Although code 55 is actually code 80 rails embedded onto the ties, Peco is the only manufacturer that makes flex tracks with concrete sleepers for N-scale. It is a pity that other such as Minitrix, Fleischmann, Piko and even Atlas have not being able to convince themselves to offer flex tracks with concrete sleeps. For the US model railroad manufacturer Atlas, it is understandable as most US tracks do not have concrete sleepers. But for the European/German manufacturers, hmm ….. … Continue reading Turnouts Jigsaw Puzzle

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Product ReviewLeave a comment

More than Just Tiger Woods

traiNmaster

As you can see, I am progressing on my first layout. The track plan is ready with some modifications once I get the frame done. My track work will be based on Oliver Bachmeier’s HO-scale track plan. The other structures and landscapes will be entirely different. I do not intend to replicate Oliver’s layout in N-scale. However, I do find his track work interesting as it incorporated a helix (or to be precise, nolix – a stretched version of helix), turnaround track and fiddle yard underneath the top visible level but within the same 2,3m by 1,0m frame. I do … Continue reading More than Just Tiger Woods

Layout Planning, Product Review2 Comments

American vs European N-scale Passenger Cars

traiNmaster

Now that I have my ICE 2 trainset and Amtrak Superliner Phase II cars unboxed, I could make comparisons between the two. Earlier I had compared the American Dash 8-32  and European Class BR 185, both in HO-scale. While this comparison of N-scale passenger cars is not a like-for-like but it makes an interesting note. The Amtrak Superliner dining car is a bi-level car with a height of 31mm above the rail (or 4,96m scale height) while the ICE 2 intermediate coach/wagon is 24mm above rail (or 3,84m scale height); a difference of 7mm (or nearly 1,0m scale height) Lengthwise, … Continue reading American vs European N-scale Passenger Cars

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Product ReviewLeave a comment

New Home for Collections

traiNmaster

It was a quiet Christmas in Deutschland. Unlike in Malaysia, where the streets and shopping malls are crowded with people and decorations, Christmas in Deutschland is a rather private affair. 2 weeks before Christmas, I bought quite some stuffs from Ikea and this was the only time I could fix them. The new BILLY book shelf was a welcomed item to the home. I could now take out my collections – models and reference books and have them properly shelved and easily to reach. Model railroad magazines, reference books and planning materials, both German and American railroads. Finally BR185 and … Continue reading New Home for Collections

Product Review1 Comment

Kato USA N-scale California Zephyr 11-Car Set

traiNmaster

Today is the start of my first Christmas/year-end holidays and I took the opportunity to clean up my place. I brought all my model railroad stuffs that I bought and collected all these years and thought it would be time to give them some sunshine. I need to clear the space at the balcony for a new IKEA Billy shelf, which will house all my railway books, magazines and of course, a proper storage for my models (Pictures and story about that shelf will come later). One of the stuffs that I bought from Wig-Wag Trains online store, one of … Continue reading Kato USA N-scale California Zephyr 11-Car Set

Product Review2 Comments

Atlas HO-scale Dash 8-32BW Diesel Loco

traiNmaster

Occasionally I would buy HO-scale models, mainly for the reason of liking the model for its aesthetic look and for display. This Amtrak California Dash 8-32BW from Atlas RR was purchased back in 2007/8 when I was still interested in American railroad (I still do). The Amtrak California runs in the state of California; my particular model is the San Joaquin, which runs from Bakersfield to Oakland/Sacramento. Since I bought the Piko BR 185, an European loco, I thought I should bring out my American model for comparison. You will notice stark differences between the American and European locos. The … Continue reading Atlas HO-scale Dash 8-32BW Diesel Loco

Product ReviewLeave a comment

Piko H0-scale BR 185 E-Loco

traiNmaster

Okay, this time it is not a lucky draw win. Can’t be that lucky 3 times in a row, can I? DB Schenker Rail was clearing their gift shop inventories and among others was this Piko H0-scale BR 185 E-Loco with the Railion (now DB Schenker Rail) red livery. It costs only 50 Euro (UP: 75 Euro) I have not been paying much attention to HO-scale models other than watching them on layouts. Perhaps a HO-scale steam loco next round? BR 052? Continue reading Piko H0-scale BR 185 E-Loco

Product ReviewLeave a comment

Tomix N-scale JNR SO 80ton Crane

traiNmaster

One thing I found lacking in N-scale was modern railway maintenance equipment such as Plasser & Theurer tamping machines, Gottwald 100ton cranes, etc. Some of these came in kit form but they looked horrible and expensive. For example, this Kibri Gottwald railway crane cost about 80 Euro and you have to fix it yourself. In the end, it looks crappy. I wished Kibri or someone would come out with a better version, perhaps a working version of this crane. In the meantime, I would have to settle for Tomix N-scale Japan National Railway (JNR) SO 80 crane, which cost me … Continue reading Tomix N-scale JNR SO 80ton Crane

Product Review2 Comments

Peco Streamline Universal Fine Turnouts

traiNmaster

Most N-scale manufacturers produced their own commercial ready-to-run N-scale tracks and turnouts but none came close to the quality produced by a few manufacturers such as Atlas, Fleischmann and Peco. As for the handlaid versions, Canadian Fast Tracks makes quality ones that worth the investment. Recently I bought all the Peco Streamline Universal Fine (N-scale code 55) turnouts and tracks that are available in the market. I am impressed with their quality and look forward to run them on my layout. I could not find a 1:1 Peco turnout template despite claimed to be sold or available online. Nonetheless, it … Continue reading Peco Streamline Universal Fine Turnouts