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Taigatrommel

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  1. Taigatrommel
    I've been attracted to TT scale for a long time, being a firm believer in the old Berliner slogan of it being "die ideale Spur". It's small enough to produce an entertaining layout in a reasonable space, but large enough for fine detail to be visible and not too fiddly to work with. It also has more "presence" to me than N, somehow the models just seem to look weightier and sit down on the track better.
     
    Continental TT scale is 1:120 scale, unlike the 1:100 used by Triang and the following British convention. This puts the 12mm track gauge within 0.042mm of scale, close enough not just for jazz but me as well. Contemporary models are up to the expected standards of any scale, having flywheel drive, DCC sockets, NEM coupling pockets etc. The older Berliner coupling has given way to a newer, more compact design that allows near buffer-to-buffer coupling when a suitable mechanism is fitted. As TT shares the same coupler pocket as N, Fleischmann Profi couplings can also be used if delayed action is desired.
     
    There are a few makes widely sold, though you're unlikely to see them on UK shop shelves. They're also still less common in the west. Tillig have the widest range, having taken over the old Berliner TT Bahnen in the early 1990s. The quality varies - some are simply rehashed BTTB models from DDR days, and even the more recently tooled models are variable. I have locos that are up with the best H0, and coaches that I can barely put up with. Roco have a small selection, all high quality. Piko have a selection of more budget models, generally basic in detail but good representations. Some more recent locos have been very smart indeed. Kuehn have a range of good quality models, not extensive but useful. There are other smaller makes, perhaps the best place to get a sense of just what is available is Modellbahnshop-Sebnitz, who are situated right next to Tillig's factory.
     
    There isn't such breadth of product available as H0, although if your leanings are towards DDR modelling I think the choice is slightly better than in N.
     
    As far as my own modelling goes, I have a long term project to model the major features of the Rübelandbahn in a Portakabin on my inlaw's farm. This is a slow mover, and as I wanted something to watch the trains go round on at home and have more than one class of loco to look at, I have started on a 21st Century layout based upon City Classic's show layout. I've made a few changes to it, and the size I have for TT makes it larger than it's H0 inspiration in prototype terms. I'm working with a 9' x 2'8". A lot of my inspiration comes from the Industriebahn Feuerbach, street running through the industrial area of a city. Other inspiration came from the tracks in Dresden's Industriegelände, where I found myself staying in June.
     
    I tried to plan things accurately. I really did. All that happened was that I got a migraine. In the end I extended the width of some H0 boards I'd built for a Fremo module and topped them with ply. Then I laid the scenic section's mainline.
     

     
    Hang on, there's gradients and different levels. I'd better cut some ply out so I can fit point motors more easily.
     

     
    Then I steadily plugged away at tracklaying and putting in the ply for the slopes. I had to come up with an interesting solution for a run-round loop (the original design only has one on the main) as the most obvious location was on a slope. I like the effect of having a crossing in the middle of it, it gives a more industrial character. Now I'm waiting on some more track to finish the last few bits that need laying on the scenic area, and I think signalling will be the next step.
     

  2. Taigatrommel
    Amongst the releases promoted by Piko this year, some older models cascaded from Classic to Hobby range caught my eye. These were the refurbished ex-DR double deck coaches in traffic red. This shuffling was accompanied of a RRP reduction from Eur93.49 to 39.99 in the case of driving car, and from 69.99 to 29.99 for the all 2nd. Previously these coaches has only been available in the Hobby range as (innacurate) Metronom examples. With such a saving, some economies were surely inevitable. Nevertheless, I placed an order for a couple and waited...
     
    Last week, they finally found their way to my post box. Although they weren't the most common type on Rügen (this falls to the unavailable-as-a-model DABbuzfa 760) they were certainly present around 2000, so they're the best thing available to me for my Regional Expresses. Like an excited child at Christmas, I eagerly pulled them out of their packaging for a good look. Naturally, the driving car (DABbuzfa778.0) draws my attention most.
     

     
     
    Shortcuts or otherwise, it certainly looks the part. Without going into any great detail, the only thing that gives me any cause for concern in the basic model is that perhaps the cab isn't raked back far enough. Have a look at the prototype to see whether you agree.
     
    Really my concern with these models isn't any fundamental accuracy issues, it's what detailing they might need to be brought up to a similar standard to my Roco coaches. With the financial saving compared to the classic models, I'm prepared to put a bit of effort in. So rather than being a review, this post mainly concerns my search for the modelling I will want to do.
     
    The biggest job is the window frames. They're aluminium or something on the prototype, and in the catalogue images they appeared painted. However, those catalogue images were probably actually the classic models. The unpainted clear plastic on the model just doesn't look right. I have tried painting window frames previously, but it's tedious and needs a good steady hand, which I don't always have. I think my best option might be to try drawing up an etch to make overlays from stainless steel. They'll be a nice straightforward thing to learn etch design with too.
     
    Another obvious area is the bogies. Compared to the classic model, Piko have reduced the number of parts drastically. It's essentially just the basic frame now, no brake rigging or other details. Here's the leading bogie, drivers side of a Piko "Classic" DBmq776.
     

     
     
    As you can see, it has brake blocks nicely in line with the wheels and an indusi (German AWS equivalent, a bit more like ATP) receiver. Now, the equivalent view on the "Hobby" DABbuzfa778.0.
     

     
     
    It shouldn't be too hard to make up the missing details. They are different on the DABbuzfa778.0 to the DBmq776 though, and there is the addition of sanding gear.
     
    There's also quite a lot of printed detail.
     

     
     
    I'm not sure what I'll do about this, I always find it hard to blend added details into the factory finish. I'll just see how much it bugs me over time for now!
     
    Finally, the model lacks factory fitted lighting. However, it is available as an accessory part, but at 30 Euros I will probably just make my own. It's not a job I find tricky!
     
    As a closing note, a front end comparison between the "Classic" DBmq776 and Hobby DABbuzfa778.0.
     

  3. Taigatrommel
    I've got a mild obsession about correct signalling, and this small detail is strictly a part of that. It's probably obvious, but these little objects indicate a point's position. I made a simple crank from rod and scrap etch, working out the throw distance from the tiebar's movement. I didn't get it quite right first time! The cosmetic details are Auhagen, and happily are ready painted- I do not have steady hands. They also have the lever for hand thrown points, but I'm not even going to try and make that move. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the indicator to take the rod, and in the baseboard a short length of tube holds the rod in place and allows it to turn freely.
     

  4. Taigatrommel
    I'd long promised Mike Walker that if he ever needed a layout for his twice-yearly show in Cheltenham, I'd help out. That call came a couple of weeks ago, and so I'm taking Bad Horn. I've been hurriedly weathering a few wagons and checking that everything still works, and so far all is OK- though rushed weathering is never great. Not that any of mine is great, but I hope it's at least presentable.
     
    The exhibition is Saturday and Sunday 5th/6th April at St. Margaret's Hall, Coniston Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham, GL51 3NU.
     
    http://cheltmodrail.org.uk/
  5. Taigatrommel
    My wife bought me a Piko 612 "Regioswinger" for my birthday. I've got a peculiar soft spot for the real units, and they run over the line which I am modelling for my new layout (KBS 510), so it was a wonderful gift. While DCC Ready to me generally means that it's plug and play with an appropriate socket or plug, Piko took it a step further on this unit.
     
    On the circuit board there is a pair of movable jumpers configuring the interior and destination screen lighting. As supplied, everything switches on with F0. By moving the jumpers, you can set them to come on via decoder output C on pin 3 of the decoder or by soldering leads to marked pads on the board. The destination screen and interior lights can be set to come on together or independently of one another. Further to this, a removable jumper enables me to bring a ready fitted resistor into play, which ensures that the interior lights are not too bright on DCC.
     

     
    All in all, good stuff! By the way, this model was released in 2002...
  6. Taigatrommel
    With Bad Horn attending STORMex on 4th August, I figured that I should attend to some of the wear that's come about from long distance transport and simply sitting on display in the living room. Grass has been the main victim, with some patches looking pretty bare. Also, the fine appearance of static grass fibres has never quite matched my own vision of scrubby verges alongside the railway.
     
    Hanging basket liner was in the back of my mind as a solution, and searching the web I found a few good looking uses of it. Of course, it's also recommended by no lesser a modeller than Barry Norman. Taking my mother to the garden centre on Monday I picked some up (at £3 a metre it's a cheap material as well!) and set about trying it.
     
    At first I was a little generous with the PVA, and in places it soaked right through to the backing layer making its removal difficult, and the remaining fibres hard to tease out. I've gradually got the knack, and I'm letting the odd bare patch be my cue for adding other plants such as brambles. I'll try and bring some flowering plants into the mix somehow, and I'm studying photographs to ascertain a suitable mix. I'd love to find a scenic specialist shop to have a good browse of available products. Lichen isn't cutting it for me any longer. If only it had been on my mind while I was at Intermodellbau... still, it's Thornbury on Saturday.
     
    Below is how the hanging basket liner is looking so far.
     

     
    Lots of teasing and trimming yet...
     
    I'm torn between courses of action to achieve homogeneity between station details and stock. At present, the station furniture implies post 1994, and hence DBAG. This does mean the only real visual discrepancy when I run my ex-DR stock is the signalling. I could get 100% match with my Bundesbahn stock by simply putting DBAG decals on them, and that would be good for the era. Only a BR 220 would be out of place, and that looks too big on Bad Horn anyway. I do have some Bundesbahn orange station furniture which I could replace the existing stuff with, but then the discrepancy when I run the ex-DR stock is even greater. I could also just ignore the issue, as I'm keen to make a start on something wholly new... but that's another story.
  7. Taigatrommel
    I've had my house in Cheltenham since September, and Bad Horn has pride of place in the living room. It's running reasonably well, and survived the journey from New Zealand very nicely- the only damage was a wire that had come away. Now I'm fairly settled, aside from the question of the next project, I'm undecided on whether or not to exhibit or not. Bad Horn is very easy to transport, fitting in the boot of a family sized car and only needs three people to make a full day/weekend of running an easy experience. I'm uncomfortably aware of how high modelling standards have become though, and I'm not sure whether my little BLT would stand up to scrutiny amongst the discerning crowd here in the UK. There are many missing details and a few anachronisms. If I run with my ex-DR fleet, the signalling is plain wrong.
     
    There's three questions really- firstly, whether exhibition managers would actually be interested in it or not. I know German doesn't pull a crowd the way a British outline layout does. Secondly, whether I am willing to spend to buy the couple of locomotives I need to ensure I can operate realistically and reliably over a weekend. And thirdly, whether I really want to get tied up in the "scene" again- I've found much greater satisfaction the few years I've been out of things. The first question is easily answered, I just have to ask around. The second- well, if someone wanted to have Bad Horn on display, I think I'd jump at the excuse to buy a couple of locos. The third is tricky. I really enjoy anonymity, and going to Warley without having anyone talking scene politics at me was great.
     
    If I don't exhibit, Bad Horn doesn't really have a future with me. I'm itching to build something new to a higher standard, rather than the budget approach I took when building BH. I've learned rather more about work order, and about the finer details of German railway as well. I don't have the space for multiple layouts at the moment, and as Bad Horn was not expensive to build I'd lose little sleep over scrapping it. But I can't forget the fact that it's the first layout I've built for exhibition with no-one else's help, and for that I should be proud. And it would be quite a buzz to say that I've exhibited it in both hemispheres!
     
    Anyway, I've recently attempted to address an issue with running Bad Horn. The trackwork is Piko A-Track, which has plastic frogs. The double slip is troublesome for my Roco BR 364, as it is possible for half the wheels to be on plastic at any one time while crossing. Stalls were frequent, and I'd pretty well given up on using it. This left me short for my Epoch IV fleet (that which Bad Horn was built for!), so I really did want to try and sort her out. At Warley I picked up a DCC Concepts decoder with a Stay-Alive module, and installed it in the 364. After a little head scratching, I realised there was space alongside the cardan shaft without risk of fouling, and so got it fitted.
     

     
    Then came testing. I did film it before and after fitting, but I'm afraid the "before" film has terrible heavy breathing on it, so I won't share that. Anyway, I'm not totally sold. Although not as prone to stalling as before, there's still stuttering over the slip and it can stop entirely. I'm aware that I can add further Stay-Alive modules for enhanced performance, but the enhancement falls some way short of demonstrations that I've seen of Lenz USP with Power 1. That said, it's a lot cheaper. The video below is with Stay-Alive.
     
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugqvrhXzXNM
  8. Taigatrommel
    I leave New Zealand in four weeks. I'm really looking forward to coming home, but I will miss NZ and particularly Wellington. However, I think I will be able to visit every couple of years, so the wrench isn't too great. I plan to time my visits around the NZAMRC conventions!
     
    Bad Horn spent most of the summer in the garage, as we had visitors for a lot of the time. A few weeks ago a friend who hadn't run it came around, and so we set it up in the spare room and had a play using my DBAG (ex DR) trains. Ignore the DB signalling, and imagine that rather than being in the Teutoberger Wald, the location is the Erzgebirge or Oberlausitz.
     

     
     
    The normal branch service is a 202 and two all-second Halberstadts. Here 202 809 has just uncoupled and is moving away to run around its train.
     
     

     
     

     
     
    A peak time service is a little longer, with some first class accommodation. A 219 operates in push-pull mode. Unfortunately the Roco Steuerwagen really shows up the basic nature of the Sachsenmodelle coaches. The second picture also shows up a weakness of my Nikon 18-105 lens, that when using small aperture I get ghosting on the left side if its furthest from the camera and focal point. I'd like to get a fixed lens soon.
     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     
    There's some freight still on the branch. A grubby Ludmilla is in charge today, arriving, running round and then taking the loaded vans out of the compound. The load is beer. What better could there be?
     
     

     
     
    My 202 has sadly given up the ghost, so the 219 is substituting. This pic is also to show off my shunt signals. I don't know what the problem is, I've thoroughly cleaned the wheels and pickups and made a visual check of the wiring, I need to make sure that it's not the decoder by doing some tests on DC. I also tried Krois couplings on this loco, and found them to be less reliable than the Roco equivalents. For a long time the 202 has been my most reliable loco, so its apparent demise is surprising.
     
     
    And that's the sort of look when running circa 2000. I'd like to add a 298 to the fleet, that would be far more appropriate on the trip freight than a 232. I'd also like to make a new station building, paint the waiting shelter and add some lamps. For now though, my focus is packing it up well for the big move. I'd love to exhibit this at RailEx, so that I could have exhibited the same layout at Rail-Ex New Zealand and RailEx UK!
     
    Unrelated to Bad Horn, I keep coming back to the idea of modelling Niebüll NEG and Dagebüll Mole stations on opposite sides of a garage- both are the right sort of size, and modelling the entire fleet normally present on the line is not too much of a challenge, although there are gaps in every scale. The most surprising gap in H0 is that of a scale length Bpmbdzf, the Intercity (not ex InterRegio) Steuerwagens- through Intercity coaches hauled by railcars are a notable feature of this line, save for Plandampf weekends when steam is in charge!
  9. Taigatrommel
    No wishing... I'm home. While the TV throws out scenes that might make some wish to leave, I'm loving the British summer and spending my time in tranquil surroundings where it's considered a riot if hooligans knock over a dustbin.
     
    I seem to be doing well for German bargains. First my father gave us an Audi 80 to tide us over, then my wife found a very tidy Passat for good money, and finally the Hobby Shop put a loco I'd been considering buying on special offer. So I stopped considering buying it, and bought it. It may be the start of something, but before I witter on about that I'll present the loco! Rather than simply being a case of "look what I've got!", I will examine the work I would like to do to it to
     

     
     
    Well there it is. CFL Cargo 1151, ex NEG 03 (and still based at Niebüll as CFL now own the little private line), and before that DR/DBAG 202 242. On first sight it's an attractive model very nicely decorated, and my experience of these Roco V100s is very positive as reliable and footsure locos. But I think if I do pursue the modelling project this loco is for I'll be carrying out some work.
     
    Firstly, on the non-radiator bonnet end:
     

     
     
    Compare to this photo.
     
    There have been modifications made, with a four part hatch rather than the previous two part arrangement. This will be a fair amount of work, and I'd think the easiest option would be to draw up an etch for the new panel. I'd also need new decals for that end, which would probably be a DIY job as well- although I will contact the Benelux Railway Society if I do decide to make these changes.
     
    This gallery has further images of 1151, and from those note the additional louvres on the radiator end bonnet. I should think I could carve them out with care and the assistance of masking tape, and I'll probably do likewise with the cabside grills which Roco have elected to print on their ex DR V100 models- presumably because of the variations, of which I know of at least four. Also, the frames have a lot of cabling which have been removed/replaced with smaller on the prototype. Removing such detail from a die cast chassis will be fun!
     

     
     
    So that's the model as I've seen it so far. I'd like to go and take a look at the real 1151 at some point, to try and really get a sense of anything I've missed. Now, about its home...
     
    Niebüll lies in the north of Germany, close to the Danish border. Formerly the NVAG (Nordfriesische Verkehrs AG), the railway is now owned by CFL (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxemburgeois) and called the Norddeutsche Eisenbahngesellschaft Niebüll (NEG). Its primary traffic is passenger work between Niebüll and Dagebüll, from where ferries travel to the islands of Föhr and Amrum. Through DBAG Intercity coaches from further afield are taken through, dragged by the company's railcars. There is also local freight work, and regular small scale Plandampfs. In H0, the Niebüll NEG station works out as about 16 feet long- certainly not a daunting size. With stabled locos, the through coaches and so forth it's a very tempting proposition. As well as 1151, Rivarossi are set to release one of the NEG's railcars (based on ÖBB 5047) early next year. It's all just too tempting...
     
    A gallery of the NEG...
  10. Taigatrommel
    Having stripped Steinrücken back to its framework, I played about with various configurations of the component baseboard frames to find an optimal fit within my garage. I settled on an arrangement with a three foot wide operating well with a viewing space outside of one long side. At some point, something clicked in my mind and I decided a branch line would give the best visual and operating experience for one or two people, and so I decided this would be my theme. I also wanted a nice scenic section of plain track somewhere. Browsing through books I took a simple passing station (Hohenstein, Aartalbahn), mirrored it and extended the siding to serve a brewery. This was OK in a foot width, and so the other side of that leg of the layout was the plain track
     
    Initially I had the idea of two small stations/industries and a 1 foot wide set of hidden sidings behind one, and indeed I started working along those lines. However, the stock required for running a branch layout is such that a large enough station could stable it in plain sight, and I could have some fun marshalling there. And so, I went back to my books and Google Earth searching for a moderate sized junction station to suit. Pockau Langefeld looked good with its depot between the two lines which converge there, and so I compressed it a bit, adapted it to be a double junction (ie two lines in, two out), and presto! Rather than claiming the plan is based on Pockau Langefeld, I feel it's more honest to say it's inspired by it.
     

     
     
    As ever with my clumsy use of XTrkCAD, this is a general arrangement rather than precise positioning. Some easements of curves are possible at the left hand end, and the balloon loops can comfortably be made 18" radius. It's my intention to hide these as far as possible As the plan stands, about 1 in 25 is needed for the flyover/diveunder, but this could probably be eased to 1 in 30 or less by shifting the large station down as far as it will go. The balloon loop by the main station will have depot in the middle, as per its inspirational prototype.
     
    Normal trains will be one to four coaches, so the loop lengths should look nicely longer than the trains using them. I'm tempted to electrify Pockau balloon loop for the practise, or to make it a border station, so having a token Czech train running around it. I could fit two tracks into that loop, but the inner would be 15" radius. OK for freight I guess. It would effectively be a small fiddle yard.
     
    At this point, I've started cutting track bed for the small station, and the frames have been erected for that stage of the layout. So, phase 2 begins... some actual modelling! I'm trying to do a proper job, but my mojo seems low at the moment.
  11. Taigatrommel
    It's less than six months before I repatriate myself and five until the end of the contract on our house. Although at present very taken with Jim Stacco's City Classics show layout design, I have realised that the centre section as he built it is wider than the equivalent section of my donor baseboards. This leaves the options of changing scale to TT or building new boards if I wish to mimic the character of his layout, which I do. However, I'm painfully aware that I'm a slow modeller, Bad Horn having taken a year from inception to its current state. Anything I build will add expense to the shipping of our household back to the UK, and have to be boxed up securely for said shipping. I can't find enthusiasm for more woodwork at present, my garage is already half full of baseboards from Steinrücken's abortion.
     
    I also wonder why I'm even bothering to build a layout. I rarely run trains. Since RailEx, even though I put Bad Horn up for a while, I had no urge to run trains, and indeed pre-RailEx I had done no running beyond ascertaining that it all worked. For me it's mostly about the visuals, although when I do run trains I like a good shunt. My ideal layout visually would simply be a line running through countryside, my ideal operationally an industrial complex requiring different wagonloads to be sorted. I do have a vision of how City Classics could look as a German outline layout, and I do like it, but I'm not totally happy with either option which presents itself to me for its construction.
     
    I'm half tempted to strip the whole of Steinrücken to base level and build a basic line along it at about 200mm above the frame level. Then I could run my trains, and if I feel like adding a shunting yard, do so. I'm not sure about the wisdom of launching into something unplanned in a short timescale though!
     
    I think I'm getting annoyed with my own indecision, but I'm not sure.
  12. Taigatrommel
    No sooner than I have assigned baseboards (ie stripped back parts of Steinrücken to frame level!) to the new project, I find myself back to the thorny question that will not go away... is H0 right for me?
     
    In spite of having taken the plan of an existing model and actually having baseboards slightly larger than the original, I feel that it is rather cramped. In photographs I have seen online of the City Classics display layout, it really doesn't look cramped, so I wonder what I am doing wrong- after all, American standard gauge trains are bigger than European ones. I suspect a part of it lie within the talent of the modeller, Jim Stacco. The trouble is, I am not a talented modeller!
     
    I really like the multiple levels and intertwined trackwork on Jim's plan, so it's not that I'm still looking for a layout plan to fit. My quetsion is simply whether to stick with H0 or downsize to TT.
     
    As far as TT goes, I find it the ideal scale for me- it can have the same detail level as H0 without driving a man insane, and also has a good presence- you can still see the details that are there at normal viewing distances. Conversely, some compromise is less noticable- for instance, Piko Hobby TT locos have the same level of detailing as their H0 counterparts, but it looks somehow better. I don't need to try and create a plausible track plan for a long term layout, as there are numerous prototype locations which fit in a single garage. Most importantly for me, shunting is better than in N, the vehicles having a bit more weight and the couplings moving freely. Finally, in general it's cheaper than H0 or N for high quality diesel/electric model locos and rolling stock.
     
    As an example of TT's size, here is a 28 wagon coal train. It's 11 feet long, even with the large gaps between these DDR era wagons.
     

     
     
    If only it was all good news. Although ever-growing, TT still has a limited product choice compared to H0. I'm only aware of track from Tillig and Kühn, the latter of which is a fixed geometry range seemingly based on Piko A Track. Certain widespread types such as 290s are not available, although such is the present growth of TT I'd be surprised if there are many big loco gaps remaining for long. Neither of the types of double deck stock I'd want for an Elbe valley layout are available. Road vehicles are likewise restricted in choice, although there's plenty of choice for buildings. In comparison, H0 has a mind boggling range- just yesterday I was drooling at Halling's Berlin S Bahn trains, and trams tempt me very much.
     
    On a personal level, I have a fair collection of H0 Epoch V already, and just a small amount of TT (unless you count Nohabs...). There are several of my H0 models I'm very fond of, especially my LEW electrics and InterRegios. It's nothing I couldn't get in TT, but somehow I don't want to sell it. Not that I'd have to, just I'd rather have running models on a layout than boxed up or in a display case.
     
    I don't know. I just don't know...
  13. Taigatrommel
    Every now and again, a "Eureka" moment comes. Far too often for my liking, I have more layout ideas for my available space and track than I have brain cells. Usually my inspirations come from prototype photographs and maps (plus of course the wonderful resource that is Google Earth), but on this occasion it has come from somebody else's modelling, via the medium of Carl Ardent's small layout scrapbook.
     
    Now, with a larger than standard garage to play with, the small layout scrapbook isn't somewhere I normally look for layout ideas, rather I simply enjoy looking at other people's models. Nor is my inspiration from a recent entry, but from the "classic layouts" page. In particular, the Gum Stump and Snowshoe. Following the links contained there, the "City Classics" caught my eye. For future transport home (I leave NZ on June 29th!) the two paired boards lend themselves to boxing up and putting in with our possessions in a shipping container. It gives me a continuous run to watch the trains go round, and some nice shunting space. By very happy coincidence, the base level of baseboards from my helices lend themselves to the design superbly. Dropping a 4 foot section in between them gives me 12 feet length. I will make some tweaks to the design to fit an S Bahn station in and to allow freight to run around without blocking the main. Depending on the outcome of some trials, I might even make the loop double track. Otherwise, the industry tracks will remain largely as they are.
     
    So. A plan has been chosen. My next step will be to have a stiff drink, take a radio into the garage tuned into Matinee Idle, and partially dismantle Steinrücken. Then the fun begins...
     
    Happy New Year!
  14. Taigatrommel
    I write this tired and happy after a successful exhibition debut at RailEx over the weekend. I'm really very pleased, and totally exhausted.
     
    First, before I witter away, massive thanks to Kev Prince (Mr45144) who flew up from Christchurch for the weekend, got the hang of operating the layout in barely five minutes and helped keep me sane all weekend. Seriously, it would not have been nearly so fun or easy without him. Also to my wife, although she doesn't read the forum! She's put up with my stressed state and been totally helpful with useful, intelligent criticisms
     
    I'd be lying if I said Bad Horn has operated perfectly. Temperature and atmospheric differences meant some parts didn't run as smoothly as at home, and general bumps from the public and such less-smooth running meant the delayed action of my preferred couplings was lost at times as wagons bounced apart and then back together. I need a standard H0 back to back gauge, as 00 fine standard isn't quite right, but there weren't many derailments. I got the 364 working, but it was unreliable. Luckily Kev brought up a 212, which relieved the traction shortage very nicely. I still resorted to running an out of period 220 though, but whether that was really a last resort or succumbing to temptation I don't know. Problems or not, I think Bad Horn was well received by the public. I was slightly surprised by how much some children liked it, as its really a shunting plank and there were lots of layouts with sound, lights etc, so it goes to show that received wisdom isn't always right. The biggest flattery came from the fact that a good few Germans were very complimentary about the layout (Surprising how many there were, but Wellington is full of expats), and now I'm comfortable that I can create a good sense of a time and place really quite alien to me- books and pictures are my sources.
     
    There are a few ifs and buts regarding lessons, but the important consideration is that the layout was initially built with bits I had lying around. Any comments about what I should have used for certain aspects (mainly the track) are really null, because they aren't the things I would go out and buy!
     
    But what now? There's a few details that I could add, and improvements I could make, but as always I just feel like moving on. Not through frustration, but through a desire to keep advancing my modelling. In the short term (ie the remainder of this year) I could finish ###### (H0e) which is gathering dust and dents in the garage at present. It needs a couple of new points and scenic work finishing. I'm tempted to use it as a test best for scratch building overhead electrification as I have a Mariazellerbahn train and it's all on one board. On the other hand, I could get it to a point at which it looks attractive, then sell it to clear the space. I'm not very satisfied with the running qualities of H0e. Beyond that, I have a desire to turn my modelling time and resources towards longer term, high standard targets. I've fallen out of love with Steinrücken, as flat top baseboards and 180o curved stations just aren't satisfying. If anything I could take the base level (ie concealed storage roads) and start a fresh scenic level, but at this point I think I'd like to move away from fictional stations and do something more fulfilling. There are two main avenues of thought in my mind at present, that of a mainline layout with a yard (I'm really not that fussed about having a station) or a full branch line with the distances between yards/industries pretty well ignored- I'd be most content running pick up freights. The latter would allow a number of self-contained layouts to be built as part of a larger whole, giving something to play with quickly which then blossoms into something approaching a system.
     
    There are a number of other questions of era and scale, although at present H0 remains front runner for decent shunting and breadth of range (plus the fact I have a decent amount already). TT is as small as I'd go, and the 28 Oots plus a dozen type Ys I already own have potential...
     
    Anyway. Please excuse my sleep deprived ramblings. Thanks again to Kev, it's a been a bloody good weekend mate!
  15. Taigatrommel
    The followers of the DCC sub-forum may know that recently the decoder in my sound fitted Schienenbus gave up the ghost. Yesterday, one of my other fancy pants traction units did likewise, this also being a Roco factory fitted model. It had in addition DCC actuated electromagnetic couplings, and whatever problem in the decoder resulted in the magic smoke escaping created a short direct to the function output controlling them. One has seized solid (presumably from overheating), and lacking any spare decoders at present I haven't had an opportunity to test the other. This is effectively 70 Euros worth of damage, as the couplings aren't sold seperately to a decoder. That said, I can get a Köf III ready fitted with such couplings and a decoder for only 30 Euros more, very tempting. However, it doesn't get me sorted in time for RailEx... this weekend.
     
    Two decoder failures in such quick succession are suspicious, so I checked both my MultiMaus systems (I have two complete sets), and the track voltage is 22V. Pretty high. Some googling suggests this is normal on Roco systems, but also that some decoder types have problems. This said, both decoders which have failed were Roco factory fitted ones, and if anything should work with a Roco system, surely their own products should! Both are out of the guarantee period, and the dealers I bought them from are on the other side of the world
     
    It's a bit of a blow for my confidence in being able to provide a reliable succession of trains at RailEx- if decoders blow one by one, not only is it embarrassing when exhibiting, it's expensive. I rarely have prolonged operating sessions, so I'm nervous. A solution of a string of diodes on the track feed to drop the voltage down should be OK for now, yet somehow I'm still feeling very apprehensive.
     
    Shunting will be aided by the hand of god this weekend...
  16. Taigatrommel
    Wiring is complete. It's less than two weeks to RailEx, Bad Horn's exhibition debut. It must surely then be time to play trains. This serves the practical purpose of checking the layout and relevant stock work, and to see how well my previously imagined moves work out.
    First focus was the 1980s set. One loco refuses to play at all, everything else is fine. A bit of concentrated cleaning on the pointwork has ensured that trains can run though without stalling. All powered units have had CVs 3 and 4 set to 0, turning off inertia so that there are fewer bumps into the stops. Some late decisions about scenic work means I still have cosmetic work to do, but importantly the layout seems to work as it should. And so, here's a flavour of a morning's traffic at Bad Horn.

    It's the start of the day in Bad Horn, a small resort town in the Teutoberg Forest. The year is 1987. 218 230-1 failed yesterday afternoon while bringing in Kurswagen from Stuttgart, and today sits silent on the remnants of the spur to the Bad Prinzberger Kleinbahn which closed six years previously. (This Fleischmann machine just doesn''t want to play the game, I've cleaned the wheels and pickups, but she still stutters and stalls very badly- anyone know how easy a Roco 215 mech would be to fit to a Fleischmann 218?)

    A couple of vans loaded with Teutoberger Pils await collection from the simple freight facility. How long this brewery will remain open is yet to be seen, as the company has recently been taken over by the Herforder Brauerei.

    Empty stock for the Hamm service arrives at Bad Horn, a two coach Silberlinge push-pull set with a 212 for traction.

    This is followed in fairly short order by one of the two branch trains, which run between Paderborn and Bad Horn. A short stop later, the elderly Schienenbus and trailer fart their way back to the city.

    The 212 leads its set out for its slightly longer journey, which will take about an hour and a half.

    Mid-morning a trip freight arrives, which will collect the loaded vans and leave two more, some Italian basketwork in a swiss van and an empty for more beer.

    Shunting is made easier by the DCC controlled couplings on this loco! Like my fence? A simple change which in my opinion ties the hardstanding into the overall scene effectively.

    A 628's arrival holds up shunting for a minute, this being the day's other branch set. Commuters undoubtedly prefer this modern train to the old railcars.

    The 628 tucked into the bay, the shunt signal gives Sh1 and work continues.

    Snaking through the pointwork, the V60 will soon have deposited the wagons it needs to and will rejoin its short train ready for the journey back to Paderborn Rbf. Also along the branch is a maker of industrial tools such as compressors, timber loading points and a paper factory. And maybe more things when my imagination takes hold.
    As I mentioned, there's still some scenic work to do. I need to complete the bridge to my satisfaction, continue the grass track further along (it had stopped by a signal box, but realistically signalling equipment would be in the station building) and produce an image for the exit backscene. Otherwise, I must add a sense of life. I have some bikes, cats and dogs, but as yet no suitable people. Such as is the story of my modelling in general there are items I have on back-order which would enhance the layout, such as lamps and furniture for inside the station, but the odds of them getting here before RailEx are next to non-existent.
    And now, rather than spend more time typing, I will continue my work!
  17. Taigatrommel
    I mentioned in my last post that 218 230-1 wasn't playing at all, in spite of having cleaned the wheels and pickups. I didn't want to be defeated that easily, so I dismantled her almost entirely, getting right at the backs of the wheels and also the commutator. She now runs freely if noisily, growling along. An interesting tendancy is that in spite of having momentum disabled, the mechanism is free enough that following a sudden change of direction on the controller, the loco still rolls on a bit before stopping and reversing. I guess I've got used to drive through worm gears, whereas a well engineered pancake motor can turn quite freely if the loco has enough physical (as opposed to DCC programmed) inertia. I also wired back in pickup on two axles that had been de-wired when the previous owner (you know who you are, and I hope you know I'm not complaining!) fitted a DCC decoder.
     
    It's also a good excuse to illustrate the Kurswagen (through coaches) that I didn't in my last post. These InterRegio liveried coaches place the layout in the latter half of the 1980s or early 1990s, really somewhere between 1986 and 1994.
     

     
    I've also done a bit more weathering of the track and ballast, firstly with a mucky wash and then with some drybrushing of dirty rust. A few oil patches of matt black with a bit of brown were added where locos and railcars might be expected to spend any time. Mostly I'm happy, although it would perhaps benefit from a litte more of the mucky rust. It's easy to overdo these things though.
     
    Now, with the DB fleet running nicely, I can mess them up by attacking the items which are as yet unweathered. Once I've done some other cosmetic work on the layout I'll start servicing and testing the DBAG (ex-DR) set.
  18. Taigatrommel
    Well, I might have not made any entries on the blog recently, but I have been working on both my layouts. The progress hasn't been rapid for a variety of reasons, not least the eternal wait for supplies ordered. Two weeks lost while the layout room was occupied by guests didn't help, plus a trip to Oz with Kev Prince.
     
    The bulk of my work has been electrical, with a control panel being built and Viessmann signals installed. While I thought I'd had an epiphany into the signalling practices a while back, somehow when I came to fitting the signals I had a lot of doubt in my mind. The only thing I was really certain about is that the headshunt at the end of the platform (not visible in the pics below) wouldn't have a signal other than a points indicator. I took the cowards way out and put full departure signals including shunt aspects on every road a train could be expected to leave from- the centre road is just for running around trains, and so a shunt signal will suffice here. Likewise the headshunt visible in in the following images.
     

     
     
    All signals at Sh0 or Hp0 (stop) except for the centre departure signal which shows Sh1 (shunting permitted)

    The centre signal now shows Hp2, restricted speed (40km/h).

    And finally Hp1, full line speed permitted.
    Control is by an analogue switch panel, with knobs for selecting the aspect on the departure signals. I think that the left and right departure signals in the above pictures should only show Hp0, Sh1 and Hp2, but what the heck. A faulty switch means that the one on the right can't show Hp1 anyway, so that's sort of correct. I used diodes to allow the correct aspects to display with simple switching, as Hp0 & Sh1 and Hp1 and Hp2 have common lights. When AC supply as recommended by the instructions, I got unwanted lights faintly displaying, this disappeared with DC power. Checking my circuits I wonder if I have poor quality diodes! Anyway, the control panel is illustrated below. Nice and simple, although I'd like interlocking it made my brain hurt too much. It wouldn't be so bad with computer control, but I just didn't want that. It doesn't feel right for a branch line terminus that would be controlled by a local box.
     

     
     
    Anyway, I'm happy, it's fantastic to see all the signals lit and controlled. I don't need any trains now, I'll just imagine and signal them as they move in my head!
  19. Taigatrommel
    Is just someone with a torch bringing me more work.
     
    A couple of friends have asked me for pictures of where I'm up to with Bad Horn, and I've not got round to taking any recently. I've ground to a halt for want of inspiration and materials (although signals and bufferstops are on their way), and to try and motivate myself I had a look at all I've done so far. And felt utterly disheartened.
    I still haven't got the backscene effectively blended into the scenery, although it has improved. I also made a jobs list of outstanding work. So far I've come up with:
    Fit bufferstops Fit point motors Fit signals Weeds Repaint hardstanding (I just can't get it the right colour) Put fence or crash barrier around hardstanding Repaint the signal box Bushes for backscene blending More trees (left hand end) Put a track on the overbridge And every time I think for a minute, another task comes to mind, and that's without trying to add character and cameos.
     
    I'm actually utterly frustrated with my own abilities, I find the layout looks garish and train set like. It's too shallow (only 300mm deep) which leads to most of the visual problems. Still, I'm determined to complete this one, so I've just gotta keep plugging away.
  21. Taigatrommel
    Yes, a pop culture title so obvious I had to translate it to reduce the cringe induction. Sorry.
     
    Just a small bit of work on a part of Bad Horn which had been bothering me. Along most of the length trees are my method of choice to blend backscene and model. However, the bay platform track is right up against the backscene so there simply wasn't room. I bought some Auhagen low relief card buildings to try and nail it, but when I came to putting them in place, they just looked wrong. So I hummed and hawed for a couple of months and got nowhere fast. I don't know why it took me so long to just try a wall in place, but this week I finally did- and I like it. I think I just tried to make matters too complicated when something simple is more effective.
     

     
    I also made a static grass applicator today (tea strainer and flyswat variety), so its time to crack on with scenics. Having made a few using Hornby materials, I also caved in to impatience and ordered a bunch of ready made trees. The stretch without trees behind the bay served to separate my efforts from the bought ones, so I can clump all mine on the bank by the bridge and scenic break. This area will be the main grass patch.
     

     
    I also made a couple of decisions (and corresponding orders) today, that I will use Hp light signals (on economy grounds, and with my original signalling plan, allowing passenger use of the bay), and Piko Silberlinge. I specifically want a Karlsruhe cabbed driving trailer, and I can't find any 1:87 Roco ones for sale. Plus Piko is half the price! All signals and the Steuerwagen were ordered today from Lokshop, I'll order a couple of trailers at a later date if I'm happy with it. I still haven't decided upon a control method for the signalling yet, but I'm tempted to go with DCC accessory decoders so that I can operate everything from a handset. The nice thing with a small layout is that I can experiment without massive cost.
  22. Taigatrommel
    A chance ebay find a while back provided me with a load of detailing parts for DR pointwork, sold as Tillig cat # 85509, although actually containing various Erbert parts- axle counters, point motors, check mechanism, markers, locking mechanism and mysterious electrical boxes. There were next to no instructions, so it took me a while to suss the placement, and even then it was only from an illustration on a Tillig dealer's site. So, armed with a little data and no knowledge, I have attempted to put these details in the right locations around Peco points.
     

     
    All OK here as far as I can tell. The problem is, I don't know how I'm going to fit the details in on the next point up, nor what to do on the double slip. Guesswork seems my best option at this stage. Still, hopefully, even if I don't get it right, it'll add to the general sense of place.
  23. Taigatrommel

    Logic madness

    By Taigatrommel,

    Two nights ago, I was sat scribbling in my notebook when my wife came to see what I was doing. She took one look at the product of my pencil, gave a disappointed sigh and declared "I don't want to know. I'm going to bed." and left me to my muttering accompanied sketches...
     
    I mentioned back when I was trying out a Viessmann signal that I was considering designing a solid state interlocking panel for point/signal control. The idea just won't go away. I can't quite settle for individually controlled points and signals, I just wouldn't feel I'd done a good job unless they corresponded to one another. PC control is a possibility, but it doesn't seem right to control semaphores with the click of a mouse. I also had a go with Modratec's SigScribe, but had difficulties when it came to the group exit signal. A great shame, as I would love a physical interlocking frame. Doubtless a bit of trickery could fool SigsScribe into fitting my requirements, but solid state components are a lot cheaper. Don't be mistaken, I don't think Modratec frames expensive, it's just that I'd rather spend such money on a longer term layout.
     
    So back to the muttering and scribbling. I won't pretend that I honestly know what I'm doing. My limited electronics tuition from my schooldays seems a long time ago, so I'm working from first principles. This may sound funny, but at this point I'm not after help with it- I'm going to try it in Crocodile Clips before actually building anything. I've also only drawn one side of the circuit, and only the control parts, not the actual power to the points and signals (which will be with relays or transistors). Ignore all the numbers scrawled on, they're just the results of me thinking with graphite.
     

     
    As I look at the diagram again, I find myself questioning aspects, and wondering how far the interlocking should go. For instance, is it enough to have in one instance a conflicting route simply setting anything crossing its path to stop aspects, or should I make it that the route cannot be set other set routes conflict? The prototypical answer is the latter, but is that just making extra work for myself? I also look at the digram and wonder why I have done certain things. I think that a whole fresh draft now I've got the general ideas in my head may be worthwhile.
  24. Taigatrommel
    We finally have a new home (well, have done for a month now!), and after erecting Steinruecken my thoughts returned to Bad Horn, and how it should be current priority with an exhibition booking in November.
     
    In lieu of any procrastination, I finally feel I have nailed the signalling. Wolfgang Meyenberg's website is essential reading for anyone trying to get to grips with German signalling, and along with a couple of cribs in the form of prototype plans today something just clicked in my mind, and it all made sense. Well, mostly. In Herr Meyenberg's own words,
     
    Perhaps I just lost my marbles, and it only seems to make sense! In any case, the biggest mental obstacle to overcome was my understanding of British railway signalling. Although superficially similar, there are sufficient differences that mentally referring to British practise caused me more problems than it solved. I was actually quite comfortable with the meanings of the various signals, it is the practises which differ- and in trying to realistically portray German railways, that is what counts. And so, with good old fashioned pencil and paper, I have attempted to translate my apparant lucidity into something concrete.
     

     
    And not quite so old fashioned and considerably sillier, I used the GIMP to mock up signal placement. Ignore the displayed aspects, they don't relate at all to one another!
     

     
    A slight hinderance to the right feel is the heashunt. It's a most un-Germanic thing to have at a branch terminus. I suppose it adds flexibility though, and enables two trains to be moving at once. Shame I only have one brain which isn't too hot at such multi-tasking.
     
    Finally, I got round to pricing up the appropriate Viessmann signals. Ouch. I could buy a loco for each road signalled using their semaphores. But I can't bring myself to have an unsignalled layout, and luckily, it is possible to directly substitute the Hp semaphores with Hp light signals, which reduces the cost by a huge amount. A departure signal with shunting signal costs less than just the semaphore shunt signal, let alonge the Hp0/2 signals... they're not as pretty though. But I'd rather have dull signals than no signals.
  25. Taigatrommel

    Taking stock

    By Taigatrommel,

    With Bad Horn currently ensconsed in the Marklin Model Railway Club's clubrooms, and me still living in temporary accomodation, work is slow. Plus, what little work I have done I can't show as I keep forgetting to take my camera. Still, one thing I can do is a little stock work. Even that is a little limited though, as I have nowhere for spraying or getting really messy. However, in the interests of my sanity I had to do something, and so using Tamiya Weathering Masters I started work on Bad Horn's signature loco, an ocean blue 212. Rather than the applicator supplied with the Tamiya "compacts" I used a smaller paint brush, and tried to follow some of the patterns evident in pictures on Bahnbilder.
     

     
    I'd actually been whinging a bit to my friends about not being able to use my airbrush at present, but on reflection, this is good. I would not have good such results with one. For all airbrush weathering can look good and replicate similar patterns, it always looks, well, airbrushed...
     
    Anyway, the loco is far from finished, I've only done one side of the bonnets and underframe and not even touched the cab or tops. But still, I feel I'm on the right track.
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