Benchwork, Layout Planning6 Comments

Eureka! Tilt-Table Layout Contruction!

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Another challenge that I faced is how to construct my layout that can be easily stored and transported. Most people have a basement, room or even an attic to spare, even for a 4 by 8 foot layout. Yet, I will be constructing a 100cm by 226cm layout using IKEA IVAR frames (equivalent to 3,3 by 7,4 feet for those using the non-metric unit of measurements). I could not put my layout on a flat (normal) position due to lack of space in living room or even any other room. With the remodelling of my apartment living room, some spare … Continue reading Eureka! Tilt-Table Layout Contruction!

Layout Planning, Product Review2 Comments

American vs European N-scale Passenger Cars

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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

Exhibitions/Fairs, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

The Fun of Model Railroad Planning

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I could not think of any other hobby that is so multi-disciplinary and multi-facet. Could you? Come to think of it, even at the most basic level, this hobby involves some conceptualization and design work, carpentry, electrical and electronics, mechanical works, landscaping and painting and etc. I have quite some reference books from my earlier days of planning for a US-based layout but have since acquired some German railway books (it also helped me to improve my Deutsch). With my new Billy shelf, I have now a proper place for my books and within easy reach. As I am also … Continue reading The Fun of Model Railroad Planning

Benchwork, Layout Planning2 Comments

The Challenge of A Tilting House

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I lived in an old but modernized house (Altbauwohnung) near Frankfurt. Most of the houses in my area are of these types. While the owner has done wonderful job in modernizing his 3-story house, one of the challenges I face is uneven floors at every part of my apartment. Even in the living room, different corners have different degrees of tilt (I don’t think the house is of any risk of collapsing; else, it wouldn’t be fit for occupancy) I have taken some measurements from a spirit level app on my smartphone (showing inches of rise per foot) This means … Continue reading The Challenge of A Tilting House

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Product ReviewLeave a comment

New Home for Collections

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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

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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

Layout PlanningLeave a comment

Track Clearances: NEM102 vs NMRA S-7

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I always wonder what are the differences in track clearances or loading gauge between the European and North American model railroads (and also in reality). Visually the American locos are larger and taller compared to its European counterpart. This photo (HO models) shows that. For those who want to run both the North American and European models on your layout, these measurements will help you. If you are sticking to European (or American), then it is good to know what the other side of the Atlantic have (just to satisfy your curiosity) The above dimensions did not take into account … Continue reading Track Clearances: NEM102 vs NMRA S-7

Product Review2 Comments

Atlas HO-scale Dash 8-32BW Diesel Loco

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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