This switching puzzle was the first "layout" I created specifically to take to train shows... You can read more about building and showing it here. I was an ETE member back then and the trackplan is the same as created by Peter Barnes. We even wrote an article about taking these kinds of things to shows.
After ages of neglect and procrastination work is underway to replace the background flats, backdrop panels, and in general clean out the cobwebs, refresh scenery, ... Here's what the street scene with flats looked like when first built.
Note street curving to right.
After this switching puzzle, I dove headfirst into building n-scale modules with the ETE Chapter, continuing to show them independently as well. After a lot of reflection, the whole lot of our foray into N found a new hope with friend Tom Lynch and his Bundesbahndirektion Kaiserslautern. Two summers ago we had a flood above that leaked onto our main H0 layout and the puzzle. Damage to the puzzle was compounded by a leaky front step with flakes of rust from the steel I-beam above dropping down... All those have been fixed, but the puzzle is looking the worse for wear.
Still want to go and show, loved interacting with the kiddies, so time for a reboot.
Puzzle backside showing damage from water/rust. I removed the buildings, but those were discolored/distorted by water. The background flates, water tower, and chapel are all paper.
Old panel with proposed new flats taped over...
New backdrop with the flats at right. The yellow line is to the intersection, the green to the end of the street... The gap between the flats on the backdrop will be filled in...
So, off to work to start building flats. I will be layering the facade to recess windows and bring trim forward to increase depth.
Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) Brawa BR 65.1 tank engine pulling a Sachsenmodelle gliederzug. The 65.1 was a new construction built for pulling commuter trains and bringing workers to the factories. A total of 95 units were built between 1954-57. The consist was built starting in 1952 by the VEB Waggonbau Görlitz based on pre-war designs of the LBE. More info can also be found in the Wiki.
The basic unit was a 4-car bi-level, designated DB13. The axle
configuration was 2 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 2, total length 73 400 mm, whereby 2
cars shared a 3-axle bogie. Go here for more on the consist.
The layouts have lain dormant for a while (2+ years? Yikes!) as I have pursued other projects, we had some water leak down from above, and I realized that I had too many scales. So... Where was I when last actively engaged with everything... Oh, here!
I've started making a new backdrop and background scene for the switching puzzle that I will take to shows again – Really love showing and interacting with visitors. Overall layout, scenery, presentation important, so something for serious modelers, kids, and all in-between.
On the H0 layout I moved the on/off switch and power controls to the front of the layout, dusted, cleaned, and repaired most of the water related damage. Unfortunately my mountain-top abbey will need to be razed due to too much damage, but I'll replace it with a nice little castle I have handy. Will try to reconstruct the small z-scale loop on that level as well.
Abbey in back to be razed...
Finally, it's nice when the project that has kept me from the trains intersects with them. Below a bookplate in a book recently received that was bound by the bindery of W. Collin in Berlin during the mid-late 19th century.
It was once in the collection of the Henschel family library in Kassel, Germany. Henschel made locomotives small,
and anything in between. Also buses, trucks, aircraft, tanks, the latter two especially during WW II. In 1996, Henschel became ABB Daimler Benz Transportation Adtranz. The company was subsequently acquired by Bombardier (Canada) around 2002.
So, hopefully I can build some sustained momentum and get back to enjoying the trains on all levels, not just pondering and dusting.
at the Boothbay Railway Village Steam Course. See the main website by clicking on the image above.
About This Blog
This is where I share my projects such as (card)modeling, weathering, railfanning activities, show reports, and other thoughts. Having a German focus to my model railroading interests and living in the US, I'll also translate occasional threads I think could be of interest here or in Germany.
