Category Archives: Inspiration

DC or DCC?

Posted on August 8, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

In the latest edition of Model Railway Journal, Jerry Clifford’s editorial has some helpful thoughts on model railway electrics.  Edited highlights below…. The old and the new…. A good friend and very fine modeller recently said to me that, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Operation | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

New York port railroad maps

Posted on July 31, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

For the map enthusiast, a few more hours of tracing rail lines….. From the UMSL Digital Library, maps of the port of New York , prepared by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.  These maps are a set … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Layout design, Prototype | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Two odd links

Posted on July 29, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Two odd links from the Daily Telegraph….. Shocked commuters gawp as woman brings desktop computer on First Class Virgin train A shocked commuter took a photograph of a woman who had turned her First Class seat on a train into … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Out and about, Prototype, Weird and wonderful | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Jon’s modules (and layouts) – A new(ish) layout

Posted on July 27, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

As I write this, I’m looking at a large black box parked in the lounge, and waiting to go into the loft.  What could it be? Kuritu.  At our 2017 show in April, I noticed that Ian Milroy had a … Continue reading →

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Back to Berlin – again – 4

Posted on July 23, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Our Sunday in Berlin was spent in pure tourism.  We started with brunch at “Sweethearts”, the coffee and brunch restaurant that our Ruth part runs.  It only opened a few months ago, but seems to be going well. It’s tucked … Continue reading →

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Back to Berlin – again – 3

Posted on July 21, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Today, more trains, and planes. There were a number of narrow gauge locomotives on display, including a couple of rack locomotives.  Gauges varied from 600mm to 1435mm. And this South African Garrett, built by Krupp (hence its display here) was … Continue reading →

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Back to Berlin – again – 2

Posted on July 19, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

So to the railway exhibits proper.  A lot of them were packed into the roundhouses, and were difficult to photograph well.  But I’ve included a selection of shots below.  We start with one of the first locomotives to run in … Continue reading →

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Back to Berlin – again – 1

Posted on July 17, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

At the end of June Maxine and I headed off for our annual visit to Berlin to see our eldest.  For once, I got the travel arrangements right.  Berlin was hit by torrential rain for much of the day, and the U-bahn was closed … Continue reading →

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The empty railways of America

Posted on July 5, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Before reporting on ESNG exhibiting at the Bluebell Railway, here’s a couple of links to an article I came across on the BBC website, “In pictures: The empty railways of America.” One of photographer John Sanderson’s earliest memories was family … Continue reading →

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An alternative grouping

Posted on May 28, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

‘Proto-freelancing’ is far more popular in the USA than in the UK.  Perhaps this is due to the use of the same locomotive designs, with detail differences, across many railroads – for example the iconic F3 and F7 diesels.  Bu … Continue reading →

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