Benchwork, German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

Layout Progress: Preparing the Base for Module A

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After 2 weeks of non-activity (since the Modell Süd show in Stuttgart), I kicked myself on the butt (hmm how did I do that??!! :p) and started doing some work on my layout. Finally!! Last Saturday I sent to IKEA shopping and got myself a MALM chest of drawers with 4 drawers for 69 Euros. It fits nicely to the corner that I wanted for Module A, which will be the central railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and a siding for industry (Industrie Anschluss). Just in case you forgotten about my track plan, here it is again. Vacuumed clean and ready for … Continue reading Layout Progress: Preparing the Base for Module A

Diorama Development, Layout Planning, Planning Book6 Comments

Track Laying – ICE Diorama Rework

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I am spending only 3-4 hours per week on model railway. Not a progress I would like to see especially if I am going to build a large layout. Last week, I marked all the drilling positions on the plywoods and determined the track centres on the baseboard. This week, I drilled the holes for the marked positions and completed the frame. As I am using 6mm thick, poplar plywood for my diorama, I had to use 2.5mm thick wood screws. I taped a small piece of sticker on the drill bit to mark the 16mm depth. And the finished product is … Continue reading Track Laying – ICE Diorama Rework

Layout Planning, Planning Book, Product ReviewLeave a comment

2D-Turnout Rapid Prototyping with 3D Effect

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As you can see I am picking up speed with my layout. The track plan is decided and fixed. Yesterday I had a good chat with Dirk over parts of the track plan and we looking into many areas such as positions and configurations of turnouts, positioning of signals and turnout mechanisms, how to build the layout and special considerations for vertical distances, tight curves and superelevation. As explained before in my earlier post on turnouts jigsaw puzzle, I printed out all the 45 Peco turnouts for my layout from their drawings and cut them to shape. I tested with … Continue reading 2D-Turnout Rapid Prototyping with 3D Effect

Benchwork, German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning Book4 Comments

“Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – Final Version

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As promised, here is my updated “Somewhere in Germany” (“Irgendwo in Deutschland”) trackplan. I would call this the final version since for the past 2 weeks I have discussed and finetuned with a fellow N-scale modeler from Germany this trackplan. He has been kind and helpful to translate my 1st version paper drawing into a digital plan using SCARM. A BIG DANKE SCHÖN, DIRK! Basically, he took my requirements and wishes (what John Armstrong would call as “Givens and Druthers“) and made some modifications to my trackplan while still retaining my basic concept. I am pleased with the final result. In my initial plan, I had some … Continue reading “Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – Final Version

Benchwork, Diorama Development, German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

Experimenting with Module Building – ICE Diorama Rework

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For the last 2 weeks I have not been active in this blog instead have been active in a German model railway forum, developing my track plan together with a few modelers. I will get back to that topic at a later date. In the meantime, I have visited a large handy mart Hornbach and searched almost every row and corner for something useful for my layout and diorama. I got most of the tools I needed for model railway construction as I have zero to start with. So the initial investment in tools will make a major dent in … Continue reading Experimenting with Module Building – ICE Diorama Rework

German Railways, Layout Planning, Planning BookLeave a comment

“Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – 1st Version

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I have finally put my thoughts on paper. The theme of my layout is “Somewhere in Germany” (“Irgendwo in Deutschland”). Over 11m double-track, I want to capture the atmosphere and the feeling of somewhere in Germany without being specific where in Germany. Let me give you a short intro of the space and my benchwork/trackplan concept. Feel free to comment. Tell me what you like and dislike about the trackplan. – I have been given an enclosed balcony 3.7m (12ft) x 1.4m (4.6ft). The layout will be “around the wall” concept with 30cm (11.8in) width on the long side and 60cm … Continue reading “Somewhere in Germany” Trackplan – 1st Version

Exhibitions/Fairs, German Railways2 Comments

Surprised Appearance in Eisenbahn-Romantik Magazine

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I received my Oct/Nov 2013 issue of the Eisenbahn-Romantik magazine and was surprised to find myself in this issue. This photo was taken at Internationale Modellbahnausstellung (IMA) in Köln-Deutz last year. Unfortunately I was wrongly identified as a Japanese railway fan …. sigh … Here are the original photo and the autograph. Continue reading Surprised Appearance in Eisenbahn-Romantik Magazine

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