Benchwork, Diorama Development, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

20cm Space Brings Wonders to N-scale

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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

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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)

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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

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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

German Railways, Product Review2 Comments

ICE/IC: Spot the Differences

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ICE (InterCity Express) and its sister IC (InterCity) would make regular appearances on my future layout. A common sight in Germany, it takes keen sight to spot the differences in various ICE classses (Baureihe in Deutsch); between ICE 1 and 2, variations in ICE 3 and even rarer sight of ICE (MET). Hope these drawings help you. ICE 1 ICE 2 ICE 3 Series 1 ICE 3 Series 2 ICE 3(M) ICE T ICE TD IC ICE (formerly MET (Metropolitan)) In 2014 we will see the new IC double-level coaches from Bombardier. Brawa will offer this model in H0- and … Continue reading ICE/IC: Spot the Differences

German Railways, Layout PlanningLeave a comment

3 Goldie-Loks(chuppen)

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3 engine sheds (Lokschuppen in Deutsch) at one location? Yes, Würzburg has 3; at least 2 are still in working condition. I guess it must be an important stop point during the steam days. There is an inland river port west of this station along the Main river. Würzburg is located in the midpoint between Frankfurt and Nürnberg (Nuremberg). 3 ICE long distance lines stop at this station – Munich-Würzburg-Hamburg, Vienna-Würzburg-Dortmund and Munich-Würzburg-Essen. The German ICE world speed record started from this Würzburg-Hamburg stretch on 1 May 1988. And who says you can’t have (open-air) engine shed for electric locos. Continue reading 3 Goldie-Loks(chuppen)

Benchwork, Layout Planning, Planning Book1 Comment

Tilt Table Layouts in Action

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It is good to know that there are people who have tilt table layouts. In Nscale.net and Nscale.org, the forumers referred me to their fellow members who have tilt-table layout – Gene (aka epumph in Nscale.net) and the late Suzan (aka steamedup in Nscale.org). With Gene’s permission and in loving memory of Suzan, who passed away sometime ago, I would like to share with you their construction of a tilt-table layout and how you could adopt them for yours. Gene (aka epumph) Gene from New Jersey, USA models a fictional Turtle Creek Industrial RR in N-scale on a 4ft 4in x 8ft 6in … Continue reading Tilt Table Layouts in Action

Layout VisitsLeave a comment

Yuki Kazeful’s N-gauge Layout

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For a short pause from my regular bla-bla-bla, I would like to introduce to you Yuki Kazeful’s 2.7m x 1.5m N-gauge (1:150 on 9mm track) layout. I viewed his Youtube videos regularly and am amazing by the details and precision (was that an understatement for a Japanese?) on that small layout. His rural setting with modern and steam trains transversing the layout is simply WOW. Take a look at this layout plan. He has visually made the layout look like there are 3 different scenes, all blended seamlessly. Yuki Kazeful’s layout plan 3 scenes taken from Yuki Kazeful’s Youtube videos. … Continue reading Yuki Kazeful’s N-gauge Layout