Visualising My Layout – The Benchwork

Call me crazy or mad but I believe in conceptualisation and visualisation. During my high-school days, we were taught a subject called “Industrial Arts (IA)”. In this subject, over a period of 3 years, we were taught metal works, wood works, electrical and mechanical works. I must thank my IA teachers for imparting to me the knowledge of drafting. So, instead of creating a physical prototype, I put them on papers. Here is how I envisioned my layout, starting with the benchwork. As I mentioned earlier, real estate space is a premium to me. I measured the space I could … Continue reading Visualising My Layout – The Benchwork

More than Just Tiger Woods

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

Eureka! Tilt-Table Layout Contruction!

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!

The Challenge of A Tilting House

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

IKEA IVAR Shelf Layout

This is my first post for 2012, which means I better start doing something about my layout. I have a small apartment here and have to be realistic with the available space. I found the IKEA IVAR shelf which I think, makes a suitable N-scale layout. This frame is actually the side frame of the IVAR shelf system. It comes in 3 heights – 124cm, 179cm and 226cm and 2 widths – 30cm and 50cm. The above is 226cm high and 50cm wide. I got 2 of these frames to make a 226cm by 100cm layout (if arranged as below) … Continue reading IKEA IVAR Shelf Layout