Benchwork, DCC and Electrical System, Layout Construction, Planning BookLeave a comment

Build #13: Maiden Power Test Run on First 3 Km

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The first stretch 1.8m (or 3km in real-life) (each track) is ready although not ballasted. While waiting for the World Cup games to start, I spent some time cleaning the excess glues of the tracks and tested the pickup connection. At full throttle, it registered 17V (I am using Fleischmann analog DC transformer for tests) This time, Kato E8/9A volunteered to make the maiden trip, to and fro. I am happy with the result. It is a baby step but an important step for me. It is a sign that I am progressing rather than procrastinating. Continue reading Build #13: Maiden Power Test Run on First 3 Km

Benchwork, Layout Construction, Planning Book5 Comments

Build #12: Track-laying Begins

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In the rest of the world is today Father’s Day. Here in Germany, the Father’s Day is celebrated on 29th May each year, which is the ascension of Jesus to Heaven. I guess it is the Holy Father that we are celebrating then. Anyway, the German Father Day is a day where fathers (those of us who are on Earth) took out the beer cart and enjoy a full-day drinking. As for me, I continued working on my layout. It was time to lay some tracks. Sometime back, I bought a pack of 3mm cork wall tiles from Hornbach. For … Continue reading Build #12: Track-laying Begins

Layout Construction, Planning Book2 Comments

Build #11: Dive! Dive! Dive!

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It has been exactly two months since I did any serious work on my layout. Checking back on the Build #10, I stopped at one-half of the staging yard track arrangements. I am happy to reduce from 7 originally-planned tracks to 6. This time around, I went back to the standard modules Segment F-H. I disassembled all the 3 modules and took them to the front garden for further work. The nice thing about having a modular home layout is, you can remove them anytime and work at a more comfortable location. I avoided having saw dusts flying around the … Continue reading Build #11: Dive! Dive! Dive!

Model Rail Radio1 Comment

Model Rail Radio #89: The JLow Show

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It is nice to have a show named after you. Reminds me of my childhood days, watching “The Andy Griffith Show“, staring Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. Thanks Tom Barbalet for hosting the chat show at European-friendly time. Here is the link to MRR #89 and a sypnosis of the show: Andy Dixson has a layout update. Will more trees have to die for this layout? Time will tell. Jimmy Low introduces his model railroading interests. Will Merrell provides a blueprint for a successful NTrak club in particular working through a busy show season. Will and Jim Lincoln answer some questions … Continue reading Model Rail Radio #89: The JLow Show

Exhibitions/Fairs, German RailwaysLeave a comment

Easter and Trains

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Happy Easter, everyone! Easter is a time many look forward to, not just children and also big children. It is a sign of spring season and the start of the train seasons. After a few months of break, most clubs, museums and shows start to come out of hibernation and active once again. This spring, I had the opportunity to visit Intermodellbau 2014 in Dortmund. This is one of major exhibitions for the model-related hobbies such as model railways. As the annual Nuremberg Toys Fair is only opened to the trade, this Intermodellbau is open to the public where almost all major … Continue reading Easter and Trains

Benchwork, Layout Construction, Layout Planning, Planning Book2 Comments

Build #10: Staging Yard

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I have now reached the staging yard, one of the critical part of my layout, after months of weekend construction. This yard is important, although it would be hidden, as it would consist of 6 tracks – 3 per direction – and hold low priority trains. The initial plan was 7 tracks but I decided to forego this track for cost consideration. Just like a real railroad, any track extension involves cost and whether it is economically viable to do so. Furthermore, the tight radius at first track resulted in me pushing the positions of all 6 tracks further up … Continue reading Build #10: Staging Yard

Benchwork, Layout Construction, Planning Book1 Comment

Build #09: Rise, My Child, Riseee!

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Today was a beautiful sunny weather here in Frankfurt. A good time to spend outdoor, and outdoor I did spend. A good 8 hours working on my layout. Part 1: Foundation of germaN160 completed! Finally, I have completed the standard modules for Segment B to D. These standard modules would be the final pieces, which connected Segment A end module to Segment E end module. Segment D Segment C, which is at the entrance to the balcony Segment B I built Segment B and Segment D modules first and then positioned them. Then I measured the space between them. Normally, a standard module is … Continue reading Build #09: Rise, My Child, Riseee!

DCC and Electrical System, Layout Construction, Planning Book, Product Review1 Comment

When No Sound is A Good Sign

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Wiring for a DCC layout will be top on my germaN160 layout construction program. Everywhere I read about DCC wiring, one of the essential tools to have is a audible short tester. How does this tester function? In short (sorry, pun intended here), the buzzer will be audible when you connect the feeders to the wrong track bus polarities. Model Railroad Hobbyist (MRH) magazine provides an excellent explanation and video on how this work and how to build one. Source: MRH March 2012 – Issue #25 So I bought my parts from Conrad for less than 10 Euro and soldered … Continue reading When No Sound is A Good Sign

Benchwork, Layout Construction, Layout Planning, Planning Book4 Comments

Build #08: Heading Towards the First Milestone

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For the last 2 weeks, I had not been seriously working on my layout, for the fact that I had other personal commitments to attend to. During their period, I allowed my layout to “take a rest” and “absorb some sun and humidity”. I think it is important to allow the wood to so-call “breath and adjust to the new environment”. As my friend and fellow N-scale modeller from UK said “that once you have cut your wood I wouldn’t leave it unsupported or leaning on anything. Try and keep it on as flat a surface as you can. Wood has … Continue reading Build #08: Heading Towards the First Milestone