tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71402610224336255292024-03-13T03:33:17.093+01:00Featureless PlainsBuilding an America-N double track N-scale moduleNaomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-61033243638322719522021-02-28T01:53:00.003+01:002021-02-28T01:53:57.440+01:00<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Yet another long hiatus on this very infrequent blog. Ah, how I planned things to be different and then life interferes with my plans....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway, during these strange times of coronapandemic I'm having relatively few problems. I hear people complain about their (and especially kids mental health) but I'm okay. Had all those problems a decade ago and nothing change for me. Am busy with taking care of my elderly parents since I'm the only one of three children living in the same country (same continent even).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I did manage to buy some Kato Unitrack and was able to run trains at my parents. My mother was quite interested. It seems she found it more interesting than hanging in front of the tv.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back in late september / early october 2019 I manage to build a small concept module using foamboard in combination with plywood. Apart from glueing the track down wrong on one side the venture was reasnably succesful so I will continue using foamboard with plywood. After all, it did not just survive a couple of train trips to and in Germany going to a Fremo americaN meeting in Bardowick in northern Germany and then to Mammendorf near Munich in the south but it came back to the Netherlands in the hold of a plane and survived that experience remarkably well being transported in a trolley that doesn't have a hard shell. Only damage was a red smudge on the side (made of foamboard) that came from the red plastic bag it resided in (to keep the foamboard lid in place as it wasn't fastened to the module) during its stay in the trolley.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My sister ran into problems with her work permit in the country she lives in and that has a knock on effect for her residence permit so she will be coming back to the Netherlands for a while to get that mess untangled and start again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It will give me the opportunity to go back to my regular volunteer work in a museum as well as cleaning up the mess in my house after2 years of barely living here. And I want to get back to building something related to US railroads. Many things going through my mind about that, from a short M&StL freight spur (ex CBQ) in Oskaloosa to the freighthouse area in Ft Dodge or Des Moines Iowa to something different, PRR or B&O in Wheeling West Virginia. Something build in the British exhibition layout style but for home use.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And otherwise I'm working on proposals for the upcoming 20th anniversary of Fremo's americaN. I feel something special should be done. I'm looking at a theme we haven't done yet so I'm gathering information. Always a fun thing to do and at least i can do that from the couch at my parents. Would rather have build some kits etc. but my mother has sensitive lungs and my parents appartment isn't very large. So that is unfortunately a nono. By time I'm home again I need to destress and that doesn't involve building things for my modelrailroading activities as I don't have the energy for that. I would need more time to recuperate than what I usually have. Though with my sister coming back for a while that time might just be there. At least I'm getting excited again about modelrailroading.</span></p>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-2832221463721830572016-11-26T23:56:00.002+01:002016-11-26T23:56:22.557+01:00Fremo AmericaN meeting in Bremen Germany<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently I went to the Fremo AmericaN meeting in the northern German city of Bremen. The trip took some doing as both halves of the train trip resulted in delays. A signalbox failure in Deventer in the Netherlands on the outbound trip meant my planned route had to be changed. On the return trip there were engineering works in the Netherlands on my route and I had to take a replacement bus. As luck wouyld have it, the one on my route was a local bus stopping at all stations and on the other route it was a fast bus. Oh well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily both NS and DB were very helpful and no additional costs were incurred. Only time delays and they were compensated by new train routes I travelled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This meeting was the first time we tried out timetable and trainorder operation. While we had some problems I feel we can overcome them with more familiarity with the procedures. It helps of course when yours truly pays attention to the switching and makes it efficient. Oh well, live and learn, right? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had great hopes for this type of operation which is a bit difficult to do on ever changing modular setups. I was pleasantly surprised by the easy with which everyone adapted to it. Normally we use track warrant control or no dispatcher in our meetings.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See <a href="https://www.fremo-net.eu/modulsysteme/baugroesse-n/american/american-aktivitaeten/bremen-2016/" target="_blank">here</a> for the report, <a href="https://www.fremo-net.eu/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=12142&token=209121062cd09cd0cf80b74f0a09230d76e7b359" target="_blank">here</a> for a plan of the modular layout and here for Hagen Langbartel's <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hagen/sets/72157675412049331/" target="_blank">pics</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can even see me in some of the pictures...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to all who made it possible to have a great time despite coming down with the flu.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-53623152197494337132016-10-17T20:19:00.000+02:002016-10-17T20:20:05.823+02:00A nice moveable workbench<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Earlier in the year I lamented that I needed a better work environment. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and up again pops this video on youtube </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">after a few years. I'm still interested in it and have asked a woodworking good friend of my parents for advice. I want different wheels so I can more easily drag it up the stairs as the place where i want to use it, living room and balcony, are 1 story higher than where it will usually reside when it is between duties.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5YzIwK-g0E/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t5YzIwK-g0E?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More info including the price for the drawings can be found <a href="http://www.benchworks.be/mftc.html">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-85118254287175635532016-09-11T13:21:00.002+02:002016-09-11T13:21:36.873+02:00The best laid plans...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">often go awry. So did mine once spring was underway. A laptop that stopped working just hours before I was going to make a backup (a lesson there, make backups first, not last) meant I lost access to the drawings of the module of G&M Junction I'm working on. That said me back some, including thinking about continuing with modifying existing modules versus starting from scratch. But money isn't all that more plentiful.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further, my mental and physical health took a nosedive. Got out of that okay but it took quite a bit of scarce energy, including in therapy sessions. Then I started a 2 day a week volunteer job at the local maritime museum. That takes a lot of energy, a hell of a lot, but it gives me back much too since this is the first time I've been able to work in 5 years.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now we have a hot late summer with temperatures around 30C which means much of that heat lingers on for days afterwards in my top level corner appartment with walls on the east, south and west sides...</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I found my interest in model railroads again so we will see what I can do next. I can certainly use the diversion from my health problems that might get worse in the coming months due too an incompetent doctor no longer prescribing medication that barely worked anyway.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, onwards we soldier even if it has to be done without being able to go full steam ahead. </span></div>
</div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-75854361332930403582016-03-09T17:17:00.005+01:002016-03-09T17:20:49.945+01:00Blood, sweat and sawdust<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I completed the sawing apart of the modules that will form the core of G&M Junction. Last weekend the batteries of my drill had run empty drilling holes for the jigsaw and by the time they were charged again it was too dark and too cold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had some problems today which surprised me a bit. It turned out it was more difficult to make a vertical cut through the horizontal piece of plywood that forms the top than I expected. Wasted 2 sawblades on it. Also, the plywood has internal layers that are much harder than the outer onces, complicating matters. I didn't manage to saw in a straight line but that isn't as much of a problem I hope as it sounds as there will be new endplates that have to be affixed to the sawcut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, some nails vibrated loose and I didn't see one in time so I opened the skin of a thumb on one. Needless to say the offending pieces of metal are now history...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I layed out the pieces on my balcony as I intend to use them and used the parts that once where the lower half as stand in for the new segments. I will try to use those pieces first before I build new segments. Money is scarce so it's worth a try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To do:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- buy and attach new endplates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- concurrent with the above, remove some material from existing endplates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- remove material from the sides.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- track and electrics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- remove material from the top plate where the tracks won't be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- build the (boring) scenery: a few trees, a road crossing the railroad and another paralleling it and lots and lots of corn and grassy fields mainly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, and find a way to upload the pictures I took so you all get an idea what I'm talking about. Can't find the software that came with my digital camera (bought it all the way back in december 2008) and I have never used it on this laptop...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lessons learned:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- 9 mm plywood is plenty strong enough, these modules were build back in 2009 and were otherwise still sound, despite being stored on their endplates since 2011 and my less than perfect construction methods.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Pay attention when buying plywood. Hardwood is HARD.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- I need a better work environment when working on large items or doing rough work like sawing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">- SAFETY FIRST! I need to buy new safety glasses as I couldn't find the ones I have and flying sawdust is no fun. Not to mention things that could have happened with a nail coming loose enough to fly away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- And yes, old modules CAN be taken apart and the parts rearranged to make a different module.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- I CAN DO IT</span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-88909923747647077662016-03-05T18:26:00.002+01:002016-03-05T18:39:26.465+01:00I started G&M Junction<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">De kop is er af, that is what we say in Dutch if we have started something, literally the head is off. No pictures yet but the first Fremo america-N module is now on a diet and has had the bottom half taken off. The ony reason the other module hasn't been done to that state yet is the fact that I ran out of battery power so couldn't drill more holes so the jigsaw could be used.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lower half weighs ~700 grams and the top hald still weighs ~2100 grams.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still to do:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- cutting at a diagonal</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- remove more material to save even more on weight, including on top as the modules had a plate on top.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- New ends</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- extra support for when I'm cutting through the top plate.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- glue polystyrene to the sides to hide the holes and less than perfect sawcuts.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And of course to lay track, wire everything and build the landscape. But those are other stages. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh well, tomorrow is another day for doing a little bit.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-66315108405251502142016-03-02T18:25:00.001+01:002016-03-02T18:25:35.633+01:00Todos los dias un poco<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day a little bit isn't just my motto for this year but I actually try to live by it. Today I put up 2 segments of an Ikea Ivar 30 cm deep storage system. Looking at the planks I put in somewhat randomly, I decided to measure the heigth. Turns out the levels are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 50 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 82 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 114 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 146 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 180 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both standing, 114 & 146 cm and seated, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">82 & 114 cm, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the levels were visibe. The 30 cm difference in heigth was pleasing. However, there is a connection between the posts at 119 cm so in practice the 114 cm level would have to be 120 cm high.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More tryouts are of course needed, including both trains and mockups of modules made out of cardboard. But a beginning for a homelayout in whatever shape it will take is there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPJTkkXB5kcmLfA5F0SE4viodNaGQo1EfZDYrrDGEAmiXsSFKvgC_SX-AM6slhJ-qOGmkTBCqnEnCzUIDxs0ZFzuaQqdOWV5DmOszPYk16c3YvRMlSIaOHZh7MuW4XcoF2hZF7Wjxhmk/s1600/wecan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPJTkkXB5kcmLfA5F0SE4viodNaGQo1EfZDYrrDGEAmiXsSFKvgC_SX-AM6slhJ-qOGmkTBCqnEnCzUIDxs0ZFzuaQqdOWV5DmOszPYk16c3YvRMlSIaOHZh7MuW4XcoF2hZF7Wjxhmk/s1600/wecan.jpg" /></a></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-35387874364724100582016-02-28T02:29:00.000+01:002016-02-28T02:29:35.789+01:00Reusing old Fremo americaN modules<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Was doing some work in the second bedroom in preparation for building a home layout when I was reminded of all the old modules I have. So I went to my storage area and looked at them for some time. Got some ideas rumbing in the back of my mind now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>CGW in Dubuque county Iowa</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One idea is to reuse a 1 meter long and way to heavy module and cut it in three smaller sections. By making the cuts at a slight angle and turning the middle section around it should be possible to make a module with a curve in it. As for a theme, I have long been fascinated by an area on the CGW, just west of Dubuque Iowa, where the railroad follows the Little Maquoketa river. There is a palisade like stretch and even a free standing rock named Split Rock. Don't know if it is natural or manmade but it seems a nice theme for a module where you look at it from the inside of the curve. In the 1970s the track was removed. Now it is a trail known as the Heritage Trail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The wooded palisades could be made removable and stored under / inside the segments that would be screwed together in the original shape to facilitate transportation by public transport.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZsBnp0dmuEf70gSv3giGG14jLww8UJ2GFozepx5vuivmp6YCFouE98eSnT1xDXZX0Nl5mRsKqtaT1o3XCbU60T8JLcL9vjdF8GFN5VyR_CT1872LCdGMJhuqdVPEmmm_boH5xzq8OLE/s1600/DSC07259-20130821114102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZsBnp0dmuEf70gSv3giGG14jLww8UJ2GFozepx5vuivmp6YCFouE98eSnT1xDXZX0Nl5mRsKqtaT1o3XCbU60T8JLcL9vjdF8GFN5VyR_CT1872LCdGMJhuqdVPEmmm_boH5xzq8OLE/s320/DSC07259-20130821114102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PqZzwUdn78Zhxg2G4ZnAzcAyhxZqn3r6Wa7w2Sq8hKVLqpNyPhGgaDgW__3nAAUBhE4eEAHBrIA76qR4KDTLQH1bX2MgTda1jz8hDWT4RPKmRGneteU_GPvB7tvPFeN8GeeW1xyhiag/s1600/FALLTRAL.JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PqZzwUdn78Zhxg2G4ZnAzcAyhxZqn3r6Wa7w2Sq8hKVLqpNyPhGgaDgW__3nAAUBhE4eEAHBrIA76qR4KDTLQH1bX2MgTda1jz8hDWT4RPKmRGneteU_GPvB7tvPFeN8GeeW1xyhiag/s1600/FALLTRAL.JPG.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzOP84YBlUpLtJdgnV5huN-been2nPHrdVRIdOOcvVxG6NKU19B0kzPvsm6zzkTDxITbYxBiYmM9jeUk7bt99m8fadqyTYz6A30TOv82i0FyrKOfPps1JZKybM547beaxIgykj8tbTUc/s1600/abandoned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzOP84YBlUpLtJdgnV5huN-been2nPHrdVRIdOOcvVxG6NKU19B0kzPvsm6zzkTDxITbYxBiYmM9jeUk7bt99m8fadqyTYz6A30TOv82i0FyrKOfPps1JZKybM547beaxIgykj8tbTUc/s1600/abandoned.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwtnefQHR2EIj-Wxax5_Thn4WdvnEdUdL57z-HGamOCTS5KzQACj3Yk1NNRTusXeLYTM46Q14StmRqWbqJVilySFwMTgx8JTCyL0Hc2Mtqdy_TNBCsDYEEnxC5Ykx0pZh49LJpUqpF_A/s1600/HTScenic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwtnefQHR2EIj-Wxax5_Thn4WdvnEdUdL57z-HGamOCTS5KzQACj3Yk1NNRTusXeLYTM46Q14StmRqWbqJVilySFwMTgx8JTCyL0Hc2Mtqdy_TNBCsDYEEnxC5Ykx0pZh49LJpUqpF_A/s1600/HTScenic1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>M&STL Adelaide</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The M&StL Adelaide station was a very simple affair, 1 switch. The station was the first station west of the junction at Conde on the line to LeBeau on the Missouri river in South Dakota. Today you can't </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have 2 Fremo americaN modules that are 50 cm long. Originally they were to be modules portraying single track going to double track but I gave up on that.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seems to me that since the modules stacked together form a compact unit and since Adelaide had virtually no buildings beside 2 elevators that likely can be stored under / inside a segment, it is an ideal candidate for a Fremo americaN module!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTom7LbpYwoRHA_V1FV2Xjv4CWm3ptX4wzFN5st564GKYRaROGKj05ipD3zYbdPC_C1z_dg7dqxud4pFtNQ66PQU4vd2yP-qr63hgDy8E5iJYZxxroDZDylNjBPLSNrN_D9oeownowxNU/s1600/Adelaide+NW+lines+1994+nr+3+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTom7LbpYwoRHA_V1FV2Xjv4CWm3ptX4wzFN5st564GKYRaROGKj05ipD3zYbdPC_C1z_dg7dqxud4pFtNQ66PQU4vd2yP-qr63hgDy8E5iJYZxxroDZDylNjBPLSNrN_D9oeownowxNU/s320/Adelaide+NW+lines+1994+nr+3+summer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6KVUUBovx62YdMVNBQhzOA9BBxXxQnN6HQ7U-af9Cxghr6gsjtAt1cmT3kBOKOeT6QAZe2y7v4CaTILwfBjOJezKGtgLJvdopawHC91w8Bz3cQZ3bll8OIw4frWKafchUpw3FLJIAF8/s1600/main+text+NW+lines+1994+nr+3+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6KVUUBovx62YdMVNBQhzOA9BBxXxQnN6HQ7U-af9Cxghr6gsjtAt1cmT3kBOKOeT6QAZe2y7v4CaTILwfBjOJezKGtgLJvdopawHC91w8Bz3cQZ3bll8OIw4frWKafchUpw3FLJIAF8/s320/main+text+NW+lines+1994+nr+3+summer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLw0SwlDm8_cBxEx7K0efPLoPjC7vahwHbNFANRZ3CozPsbeyJ82_A7zNnZ9Zsd-dGFEsstXdc53ZZ0ILdX61FzzK28Cs4uzQ63Yg16ioSthFA04I3KxldcXWZEX73zUtIE_qgtaM8nPE/s1600/Hoven+NW+lines+1994+nr+3+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLw0SwlDm8_cBxEx7K0efPLoPjC7vahwHbNFANRZ3CozPsbeyJ82_A7zNnZ9Zsd-dGFEsstXdc53ZZ0ILdX61FzzK28Cs4uzQ63Yg16ioSthFA04I3KxldcXWZEX73zUtIE_qgtaM8nPE/s320/Hoven+NW+lines+1994+nr+3+summer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today there isn't even a trace of this town that didn't even got off the ground. It was located in southwestern Beotia township in Spink county, roughly where it says abandoned next to the border of </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sections</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> 31 and 32.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-5MReNLck0O_q5W9KV6hX1E5ppnWoMEsfaii1Ar7dyE6CmRkNJuf9SzliblOFS4jcg0vzkjrfI-hkH2_n4CILHHdfrYC_kohiRFUccKB0J3HOJkgF91AWB4fDiZ6zyer4DEdm70Eg74/s1600/SW+Beotia+township+plat+map+1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-5MReNLck0O_q5W9KV6hX1E5ppnWoMEsfaii1Ar7dyE6CmRkNJuf9SzliblOFS4jcg0vzkjrfI-hkH2_n4CILHHdfrYC_kohiRFUccKB0J3HOJkgF91AWB4fDiZ6zyer4DEdm70Eg74/s320/SW+Beotia+township+plat+map+1909.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z_FvvmiVHIeeSbxcxtueaL0nUMQPQ5STDgZkh5p650PuGFWSnOtblQc9ErXfYMN-f_aVk4FL24K5D92MmoanMoJ3LeOyoSGgFLgSbPXqQFYxL3GXk61beprgN6B8b-sXhFnDnCQVgKc/s1600/SW+Beotia+township+plat+map+1961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z_FvvmiVHIeeSbxcxtueaL0nUMQPQ5STDgZkh5p650PuGFWSnOtblQc9ErXfYMN-f_aVk4FL24K5D92MmoanMoJ3LeOyoSGgFLgSbPXqQFYxL3GXk61beprgN6B8b-sXhFnDnCQVgKc/s320/SW+Beotia+township+plat+map+1961.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-6106041798407348472016-02-13T01:42:00.000+01:002016-02-13T01:47:30.061+01:00Caught - update on planning G&M Junction<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Caught the flu before the holidays and can't quite get rid of it. The design for the G&M modules is nearly finished but I haven't gotten around to start cutting them up. I keep finding little things I've overseen and I can only cut them up once...</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the situation right now. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ_PAcGUk2bv5olZD9C5Dqaxj8-rptZ7zozAtQPK75KvQO66DIgdzCvgmQI_e5MkdiWDtKo0BxuuuKiojkxxG4ugSG5pzf9JrV11SrSE_0MDpU6-GVfkcLLEq8kld5OW3azqEUA8cd14/s1600/Idea2-2+with+scenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ_PAcGUk2bv5olZD9C5Dqaxj8-rptZ7zozAtQPK75KvQO66DIgdzCvgmQI_e5MkdiWDtKo0BxuuuKiojkxxG4ugSG5pzf9JrV11SrSE_0MDpU6-GVfkcLLEq8kld5OW3azqEUA8cd14/s400/Idea2-2+with+scenery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will probably turn the module with the Interstate bridge around if I want it to be prototypical but keep it this way as this gives more of a curve for Fremo America-N layout planners. The scenery will most likely also be made as puzzle scenery. This means that most of the scenery but not the track will be separate pieces. In this way I can model the Interstate bridge in more modern times but with fields in a 1950's session.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All module ends will be conform the Fremo America-N standard though likely some centimeters 'higher' (actually below the usual 10 cm to cater for the new much thinner sections being stored below them during transport to save on volume) than the usual 10 cm.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From any module end there will first be 5 cm of straight track to mitigate potential problems when coming from an adjoining module before any curves start. It's been my experience that if an adjoining module has the curve right up to the end of the module this gives problems if the next module starts with a turnout. Even if the turnout and the curve are curving in the same direction.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A curve, a switch and two modules connecting is one thing too many. I would make it at least 10 cm but that gave too much problems.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-50430238214045903962016-01-17T23:22:00.000+01:002016-01-17T23:22:03.937+01:00Planning, planning, planning<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still planning this module. The flu and the holidays interfered but I'm back on track. I think I have the final idea on how to cut up the two modules and rearrange them, together with 2 extra segments.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to have the curve south of G&M junction as a separate module but it is so close to the junction that that does not seem advisable. Instead, the two segments will form a module that can have the I-80 overpass or the situation before that, just to the north of the junction. All </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">depending on the timeframe of the operating session at a Fremo America-N meeting.</span></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-20888755791336978472015-12-18T01:39:00.002+01:002016-02-02T21:34:08.417+01:00Inspiration<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Working through some ideas for 2 old Fremo americaN modules that were not the best. They were the first I made myself and it shows. Offending parts will be removed as far as is possible as well as the modules will be made as much lighter as can be without sacrificing structural strength (which has held up surprisingly well). New thin sides will be added and they will be a little bit higher to protect the undulating plain that can be found in the area of the prototype.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Basically I'm trying, with the design expertise of a German friend, to realise G&M Junction on the old M&StL. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Junction was a couple of miles south of Grinnell Iowa and here the branchline to Montezuma via Ewart left the mainline of the 10 district. This district was between Marshalltown and Albia, via Oskaloosa, all in Iowa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The branchline was build by the Grinnell and Montezuma Railroad and ultimately ended up in the lap of the M&StL </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in 1912</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. It last featured in employee timetable no 34 of the Eastern Division of the M&StL dated 23 june 1935. It was gone when the first systemwide timetable was published on 2 october 1938.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEika15ZPt1yt5SDdziGLfE2ZwqajNvjcVCoV4Pscx1eYIRWoNdG3veTiqn0K4p6f_QI5bd-Fho1rtaYnjTBvNwY-6vL42cjfCO4MrBsDq4JocCW0Q_qiJwMcjTtJOoNaitkwaaj02yj07s/s1600/fragment+ETT+Eastern+Division+34+1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEika15ZPt1yt5SDdziGLfE2ZwqajNvjcVCoV4Pscx1eYIRWoNdG3veTiqn0K4p6f_QI5bd-Fho1rtaYnjTBvNwY-6vL42cjfCO4MrBsDq4JocCW0Q_qiJwMcjTtJOoNaitkwaaj02yj07s/s200/fragment+ETT+Eastern+Division+34+1935.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is a fragment of M&StL employee timetable Eastern Division 34 of 1935. I got it from a CD-ROM made by the M&StL yahoo group. Note that in the era that M&StL still had 3 divisions, this branchline was part of the Second District of the Eastern Division. Later the mainline would become the Tenth District when divisions were abolished.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw7uuzEdM3T61h40kHtg-uq5u-T3drf3wktXfjIGqMS3tM4zrtBLHGx_P5p6Z_K7t_QPILi9as4OkmYoIhFWF-5gcf5Y-dMiKgzKCOr9IjZSXSQYyKnX5S9QnCh5tKfGGlXETMYPxfQc/s1600/G%2526M+Junction+1937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw7uuzEdM3T61h40kHtg-uq5u-T3drf3wktXfjIGqMS3tM4zrtBLHGx_P5p6Z_K7t_QPILi9as4OkmYoIhFWF-5gcf5Y-dMiKgzKCOr9IjZSXSQYyKnX5S9QnCh5tKfGGlXETMYPxfQc/s200/G%2526M+Junction+1937.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The idea is to cut the two modules in such a way that reassembled at Fremo americaN meetings there is a junction module and a module with a curve. The latter are always needed and I think planners will find a use for the junction too ;-).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It looks as if a third segment might be needed. Anyway, everything is to be transported together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is a pic showing the slight curve just to the south of the junction. You can see the trees in the pic above (black dot near the railroad crossing) behind the last locomotives and the photographer was standing near the railroad crossing, which will feature on the module too. It seems to me that the distant trees just to the right of the nose of the leading locomotive probably stand on the right of way of the former line to Montezuma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaB0OlksmNPhCigzkGMois8xUgG_X6JN7rQCVGC9CPpYhIVYmVFpGpZsnLhinGEH4HeTIdj5dNrepHUN7aISaGvZI6yHGDkoiQQ6c-7abtlM24-I6VOkX4pA_5UU3B7rZFlMnF76bSWc/s1600/n+M%2526STL+400-401-405-408+Sonny%2527s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaB0OlksmNPhCigzkGMois8xUgG_X6JN7rQCVGC9CPpYhIVYmVFpGpZsnLhinGEH4HeTIdj5dNrepHUN7aISaGvZI6yHGDkoiQQ6c-7abtlM24-I6VOkX4pA_5UU3B7rZFlMnF76bSWc/s200/n+M%2526STL+400-401-405-408+Sonny%2527s.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do not own the picture, it can be found here: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=280086</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think the landscape is not quite a featureless plain but it comes close, don't you think? This type of landscape is ideal for modules that have to be transported to meetings by train. Not much in the way of objects sticking up above the railhead yet the curve, railroad crossing and trees offer some perspective and interest in a picture. The trees will be taken of the module </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">during travel </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and probably stored inside the module. This gives a quite compact package as the modules themselves are 61x40x10 cm at the moment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-62520282951773576812015-10-22T23:03:00.001+02:002015-12-18T01:46:44.941+01:00New blog<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've created a new blog <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5775291270787144205#overview/src=dashboard">Midnight & Still Later</a> to document the gathering, designing and hopefully building in N scale of the south end of the M&StL 10th district between Oskaloosa and Albia in 1950s Iowa.</span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-73680393426438462522015-10-17T04:32:00.000+02:002015-10-17T04:32:43.571+02:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoS8Dm3TMI_Ue0o9MhoIEFoi6cECtS52Ek5LPrrnA2sWwHv3z77po31VSePrWGZOG5pWpdPdT2BTBHlOQXhQmI837muCFAcYM7LKFirbQUjpjz-vxH5wt3QZ2ByxINhvQT5Dpv_r9vR8/s1600/trainwaslate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoS8Dm3TMI_Ue0o9MhoIEFoi6cECtS52Ek5LPrrnA2sWwHv3z77po31VSePrWGZOG5pWpdPdT2BTBHlOQXhQmI837muCFAcYM7LKFirbQUjpjz-vxH5wt3QZ2ByxINhvQT5Dpv_r9vR8/s320/trainwaslate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, it's about time to bring this blog back to life after a long hiatus due to way too many physical health problems and the attendant mental health problems.<br />
<br />
I got a bit farther with this module Featureless Plains but unfortunately the pictures I took of the next layer, gypsum with pigment and white glue, got lost when my laptop was stolen from my house while I was on a company outing. I still have the module but it is in storage at the moment awaiting decisions on what to do with it. Originally I wanted it to be a double track module but at a length of 1 meter it has become too large and above all too heavy. I lost a lot of strength as a result of a botched medical procedure. So I may cut it in two for easier transport or use it at home by redoing everything on top...<br />
<br />
So I'm thinking of making this blog now a more general blog about my (model) railroad activities with links to specific blogs where I detail the building of N-scale modules according to the norms of the Fremo America-N group. For more information about those norms you can take a look here:<br />
<a href="http://www.fremo-net.eu/en/modular-systems/n-scale/american/">Fremo americaN</a><br />
<br />
In the intervening years I've managed to get a lot of nice to have informationvia the M&StL Yahoo group (<a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mstl/info">M&StL Yahoo group</a>) with regard to my most favourite American railroad, the Minneapolis & St Louis Railroad. I'm particularly fascinated by the extreme south end in Iowa, the line from Oskaloosa to Albia. A very nice bonus is the fact that there was an interchange with the Wabash Railroad, my second favourite American railroad. I now have timetables, trackcharts etc. that give a good overview of this 23.5 mile long line. I'm in the process of setting up a blog detailing the designing, and hopefully building, proces of this south end of the tenth district of the M&StL in a small second bedroom in my appartment.<br />
<br />
There are enough interesting features on this short piece of railroad, most of which is still there even though not in operation by the current owner Union Pacific, such as:<br />
- (former) coal mines south of Albia at a place named Hocking,<br />
- the interchange with the Wabash in Albia (and likely the former interurban ISU),<br />
- a crossing and interchange with the Burlington (CB&Q),<br />
- Hickory Hill,<br />
- Lockman and it's trestles (and former coalmines),<br />
- a long gone town named Coalfield,<br />
- the then new powerplant at Bridgeport just before the crossing of the Des Moines river into Eddyville,<br />
- Eddyville with sand and gravel loader and where a CRI&P line comes in from the southeast and parallels the line,<br />
- crossing at Givin (another abandoned town with coal mines nearby)<br />
- the sweeping curve at Beacon but no station, that was on the CRI&P,<br />
- Tracy Junction, later Fosterdale Junction and finally<br />
- the entrance to Oskaloosa's M&StL South Yard via a wye, underneath the track was a gauntlet track of the CB&Q and, again, the CRI&P.<br />
- Ending at the modelgenic passenger station.<br />
\<br />
So, stay tuned!<br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-75787543632822818522010-05-23T00:32:00.003+02:002010-05-23T00:43:14.727+02:00Not much progress to report on these last few months. Work has been interfering mightily with time for the module.<br /><br />I also had some trouble finding a good mix of plaster and pigments that will be the next phase/layer.<br /><br />Anyway, I did find some paint for the sides. Per the AmericaN norm I painted it RAL 1001 beige. The RAL system of colours is a bit hard to find outside specialits paint suppliers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7SGW6NcsrWx_SwHUJpGk33yKQXsT3v31YEf957oYXdilkex4Y3bZjl7-Vglxw4x-bipbs4ImK8f4EOR7tH1QvK51gQL57Q_Ws0LUWabi5bwdOnrONw9mYnPcol01KdI9Oy5MZEe8D-A/s1600/IMG_6567.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474227791224036050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7SGW6NcsrWx_SwHUJpGk33yKQXsT3v31YEf957oYXdilkex4Y3bZjl7-Vglxw4x-bipbs4ImK8f4EOR7tH1QvK51gQL57Q_Ws0LUWabi5bwdOnrONw9mYnPcol01KdI9Oy5MZEe8D-A/s320/IMG_6567.JPG" /></a><br />Meanwhile, I have been working on a smaller module. This one is only one of a series and it is too much to take with me when I go to FREMO meetings by train. More on the new module in a new blog.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-1476181597446908712010-03-02T21:06:00.010+01:002010-03-02T21:35:26.442+01:00glueshell part 3Last week I started out to finish the second phase but ran out of glue.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-DnQPY1dRBCKpIEtXZVccxX3ju13mnViRkv4YHXg-K9JcD232y9SNhxUv6p6LSW7LgIvfOus8RYBk8eV4aIjKNo8u8PQmfOU2w9jzQvP-12J_z3SQEDqIdW7nGsLNc_2I79tx_RcXgY/s1600-h/IMG_6459.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-DnQPY1dRBCKpIEtXZVccxX3ju13mnViRkv4YHXg-K9JcD232y9SNhxUv6p6LSW7LgIvfOus8RYBk8eV4aIjKNo8u8PQmfOU2w9jzQvP-12J_z3SQEDqIdW7nGsLNc_2I79tx_RcXgY/s320/IMG_6459.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444133817618496706" /></a><br /><br />As you can see in the right foreground, the gluedrenched pieces of old bedsheet did not completely cover the cardboard web. Another layer was needed for strength.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRac3eVtXjnAGbXEg85jbIGDfcCiUIfAMoebLMWOee1ak1rYsTbv7mCqHQ1VzmB-e-pei-R5unieAMC3ki5R_oc0mQj6lnqJYY0erMoun_HVkpAB9tvNHrzpEL4iTsPlmmCz8xv1kDgqg/s1600-h/IMG_6461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRac3eVtXjnAGbXEg85jbIGDfcCiUIfAMoebLMWOee1ak1rYsTbv7mCqHQ1VzmB-e-pei-R5unieAMC3ki5R_oc0mQj6lnqJYY0erMoun_HVkpAB9tvNHrzpEL4iTsPlmmCz8xv1kDgqg/s320/IMG_6461.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444133372965599794" /></a><br /><br />And now that is done as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY68-NxURNZZg86BuIDAFtrBy4vRDYRrUirP4tNKSf8ShDYxyIPwiefwqzmlNng_SlNtiu-NIHmALo5btR9TScXvv_OrDqyKqHoYQ-j5eZJGAXC-M6w8hyi2u58VQBrEXp8WP2m4w6Tvc/s1600-h/IMG_6463.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY68-NxURNZZg86BuIDAFtrBy4vRDYRrUirP4tNKSf8ShDYxyIPwiefwqzmlNng_SlNtiu-NIHmALo5btR9TScXvv_OrDqyKqHoYQ-j5eZJGAXC-M6w8hyi2u58VQBrEXp8WP2m4w6Tvc/s320/IMG_6463.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444134113612548882" /></a><br /><br />On to the next phase. For that I need to do some experimentation with plaster and pigments to get a reasonably close ground colour.<br /><br /><em>To be continued...</em>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-46095172827602151612010-02-22T17:55:00.017+01:002010-02-22T18:27:02.928+01:00glueshell part 2Last thursday I started with the next phase of the glueshell scenery: applying pieces of old bedsheet that have been drenched in white glue.<br /><br />The bedsheets have been ripped in pieces of about 10 by 10 centimeters (about 4 by 4 inches).<br /><br />These pieces are thoroughly wetted in water (squeeze the exces out of it) and then dipped into the white glue. Make sure it is covered in the glue and then drape it over the cardboard strips.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNqW8JIrl4QFMtPtfBtmcGWSrOQEBMMXsXvP3JLZ_gp718aPH2ug7p_Z0EKJ3a8vVJf-Tb_xWu-ksecRiB4lMAci1kCCr_z35HCqciwlu9cquBRlq5EhKMGlTdb7gvMUkOtTosTc4H94/s1600-h/IMG_6446.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNqW8JIrl4QFMtPtfBtmcGWSrOQEBMMXsXvP3JLZ_gp718aPH2ug7p_Z0EKJ3a8vVJf-Tb_xWu-ksecRiB4lMAci1kCCr_z35HCqciwlu9cquBRlq5EhKMGlTdb7gvMUkOtTosTc4H94/s320/IMG_6446.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441118074239894082" /></a><br /><br />Make sure that the pieces overlap a bit for strength. Slowly but surely a lightweight, thin but strong shell comes into being.<br /><br />What you need: glue, pieces of cloth, disposable gloves and water. This can be a messy process so make sure that your worksurface is covered / protected!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPFwMigQwEdMI5yOP4bkNTDe-qx5ABsIymKjdtqWwLKYxmhJ0E0fOxVmekWDek5Gc13hSCqF8QfDrHk-BAhA0g280I7FUGBpgbxr8y5TIgooYDG9uGarPoeKMQDd3J-yVDDVCE3SKx3U/s1600-h/IMG_6455.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPFwMigQwEdMI5yOP4bkNTDe-qx5ABsIymKjdtqWwLKYxmhJ0E0fOxVmekWDek5Gc13hSCqF8QfDrHk-BAhA0g280I7FUGBpgbxr8y5TIgooYDG9uGarPoeKMQDd3J-yVDDVCE3SKx3U/s320/IMG_6455.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441116984672251746" /></a><br /><br />Here you can see the overlapping pattern.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG_qfEevyCIaZgNw9kHtSzcHyweACFJSTrsWRZ2tz9TNe8G2Um3GVH9elr9EMXuJR7PAX82Jtb-HetZ8k3_ipqQZ2xAOmXNyituLvqBYqJsChXUwOcyMUlfvd72ERVgwqtxcnrZSs3xA/s1600-h/IMG_6450.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG_qfEevyCIaZgNw9kHtSzcHyweACFJSTrsWRZ2tz9TNe8G2Um3GVH9elr9EMXuJR7PAX82Jtb-HetZ8k3_ipqQZ2xAOmXNyituLvqBYqJsChXUwOcyMUlfvd72ERVgwqtxcnrZSs3xA/s320/IMG_6450.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441117329290678146" /></a><br /><br />The result of one hour of relaxing but messy work.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-7326295158701169092010-02-14T17:50:00.002+01:002010-02-22T18:26:32.490+01:00Start of glueshell scenery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ02CJ7lCJyaGthTgMe_6pXTK2PpKlfgGE2iNbAow-KiYWcaP7E6zrJgEKBl9ZunEtFjO9ZsockenwlhYrzdZD5fIISPihXRGakZLzjQAM4jZfQhqPMMcXniqfC_TA2DDBhoObbwdbbVw/s1600-h/IMG_6424.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438151973538595378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ02CJ7lCJyaGthTgMe_6pXTK2PpKlfgGE2iNbAow-KiYWcaP7E6zrJgEKBl9ZunEtFjO9ZsockenwlhYrzdZD5fIISPihXRGakZLzjQAM4jZfQhqPMMcXniqfC_TA2DDBhoObbwdbbVw/s320/IMG_6424.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Glueshell scenery was developed by my friend Léon Honings. It provides a flexible and very leightweight underground for the scenery.<br /><br /></div>It consists of a web, usually of cardboard, a covering layer of textile dipped in water and then white glue and then a layer consisting of white glue and plaster of paris. This gives you a thin egglike shell that is very strong.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDuNwXcODMmNODhcT66xvYt6sonqrTHcLUl1SJ74Z6URp_PVb-K_AYAHB2_B4VhjDKyZIwPWduV1e8MoQOozkF3kr1A2zivBxzjhlsRRecNYv36sJ2hgAwrF3dV-BLAWVABUnkDauORs/s1600-h/IMG_6439.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438150953291160226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDuNwXcODMmNODhcT66xvYt6sonqrTHcLUl1SJ74Z6URp_PVb-K_AYAHB2_B4VhjDKyZIwPWduV1e8MoQOozkF3kr1A2zivBxzjhlsRRecNYv36sJ2hgAwrF3dV-BLAWVABUnkDauORs/s320/IMG_6439.JPG" /></a></div><div></div>I used old file folders as I could get them for nothing (I am an archivist). Here are pictures of the web being made. To hold the web together I use a hot glue gun. Next up will be placing pieces of old bedsheets, soaked in water and then in white glue, on the web and letting that dry.<br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa0GA3MwkKn23vYzCVdiQa7sQRl6LrqEi1MQkndcMQefleDPDeoChca8eC8IJWxtcikyZ4dWZy6Kebelt60pJs3MEU3PJnVYre8bmPGWs5L65QEt2f6jMkDgCgA1HeX6UdB56Sd-UfuE/s1600-h/IMG_6429.JPG"></a> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa0GA3MwkKn23vYzCVdiQa7sQRl6LrqEi1MQkndcMQefleDPDeoChca8eC8IJWxtcikyZ4dWZy6Kebelt60pJs3MEU3PJnVYre8bmPGWs5L65QEt2f6jMkDgCgA1HeX6UdB56Sd-UfuE/s1600-h/IMG_6429.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438150942691517794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa0GA3MwkKn23vYzCVdiQa7sQRl6LrqEi1MQkndcMQefleDPDeoChca8eC8IJWxtcikyZ4dWZy6Kebelt60pJs3MEU3PJnVYre8bmPGWs5L65QEt2f6jMkDgCgA1HeX6UdB56Sd-UfuE/s320/IMG_6429.JPG" /></a>(And yes, I am a big fan of the late Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, even though this Model Power steam engine is more or less freelanced after the last passenger steam engine of the Louie)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WiiNatsUaZtYm4DjOQF_iO1P1T8p6siEiYft-ssYlyCX17HJcgkNk94ZUFy1ByDRew5Rb1_aJFsaHrDPCOEnWxaNSZVtoisUXIcgHZOp4DCB-QBQzQVLISnVESDRA9WK_ahOyks1Vco/s1600-h/IMG_6443.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WiiNatsUaZtYm4DjOQF_iO1P1T8p6siEiYft-ssYlyCX17HJcgkNk94ZUFy1ByDRew5Rb1_aJFsaHrDPCOEnWxaNSZVtoisUXIcgHZOp4DCB-QBQzQVLISnVESDRA9WK_ahOyks1Vco/s1600-h/IMG_6443.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438150957436722978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WiiNatsUaZtYm4DjOQF_iO1P1T8p6siEiYft-ssYlyCX17HJcgkNk94ZUFy1ByDRew5Rb1_aJFsaHrDPCOEnWxaNSZVtoisUXIcgHZOp4DCB-QBQzQVLISnVESDRA9WK_ahOyks1Vco/s320/IMG_6443.JPG" /></a></div>And this is the progress up to now. Both sides of the track have their web made from file folders.<br /><div></div>Condsidering the temperature outside I did the work on the dining table. That is not much of a problem since it is a big glass plate in a wood frame and easily cleaned.<br /></div>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-1322142203862342482010-02-14T17:30:00.002+01:002010-02-16T14:31:27.165+01:00My father helped me build the first few modules<div>Sometime ago my father helped me making the first few modules. The modules are made of birch plywood, 9 mm thick. The height of the frame is 10 cm, length is 100 cm and width is 40 cm. This width is conform the America-N standards. Off course I could make them wider between the end plates but you always have to take into consideration that the thing has to be transported. Which is why I will build shorter modules in the future. 100 cm is a bit long when you have to transport a few of them by train to a show....</div><div> </div><div>Here are some pictures of the construction of the frames.</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438138470550450290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT3Cb0ykjwR7GvZHRg_lPiRwRtrU5Uyfeg1kLkiCtyRswWS9phbHTxSMWLVXmeGM_raOvVbcxyZ_NiEjh_5rxxeO_e9pdVuGJ2aift4I2jXyWgdWawZXIgYcu1msk-L5NZUCvkPc2780/s320/IMG_4780.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438138466888940226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPt1WXd2Bl2HKdn1_oVojr3sWRdY8hlVwxsmfbdIpbpboWY-W2pU5AedGq87cNM3TyKKmf93GJtgPnw92ednnZMGU1U8ovWEHGPDqMDxv58DYs-tMMveLjGkhZpnqhcBylzahblcb9ZEs/s320/IMG_4767.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438138456355382850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-gjvOzsqOuz0__d1VnTvdMrROU4v-NToxwXgwYR5LNjk8eZNxBUL2hnA1xlkIcw27_tbrBrqrneDJyN4ZwNFw3Hp6DVc4jVAEgc_cnbbe4NT-lgQCfYcGGnN8pZzfa6PZLqozGWpFF0/s320/IMG_4773.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140261022433625529.post-45516021097812075712010-02-14T16:40:00.001+01:002010-02-16T14:29:45.266+01:00Under construction<span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello and welcome to my blog about the construction of a double track N-scale, 1:160 proportion, module following the standards of America-N, the Fremo group that models American railroads in N-scale. Fremo is the pan-European modelrailroaders group and can be found here: <a href="http://www.fremo-net.eu/index.php?id=23&L=6">http://www.fremo-net.eu/index.php?id=23&L=6</a> . America-N can be found here: <a href="http://www.fremo-net.eu/index.php?id=168&L=6">http://www.fremo-net.eu/index.php?id=168&L=6</a> .</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The inspiration for this module came from pictures I came across on the internet. It was of the BNSF mainline across Nebraska, specifically in the western part of that state called the Sand Hills. It is easy to see why I like to model this country, particularly because I will be one of the few to model double track within the America-N group and one module is simply not enough!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=241319&nseq=13">http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=241319&nseq=13</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=13273&nseq=94">http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=13273&nseq=94</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=302548&nseq=1">http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=302548&nseq=1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=293416&nseq=8">http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=293416&nseq=8</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073066248810364811noreply@blogger.com0