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This is the blog of the East Surrey N Gauge model railway club. Find out about our club activities here, as well as news and views on N-gauge railway modelling.-
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Category Archives: Jon’s layout ramblings
Off my trolley – redux – streetcars and trolley layouts
As I’m in Stuttgart this week, I thought I’d repost the three most popular posts since I started blogging three or more years ago. I’ve updated them a little, too. One difference I note from starting blogging – I cut … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, Layout design, Traction
Tagged interurban, Layout design, model railroad, traction
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Jon’s modules – a new module – the Club House
You will recall a while back, I posted Allan’s holiday snap of an interesting building in Switzerland made out of old containers….. And how I had bought a bag of cheap containers at TINGS….. Well, I found the site of … Continue reading
Jon’s modules – should I make some changes?
Over the past three years or so, my N-club modules have made slow progress. Totalling 3.6m in length, along the loft wall, they represent Rochelle Park on the Lehigh Valley. The layout has got to the point when it is ready … Continue reading
That was the week, that was…..
Well, it’s been quite some week…… The new budgie has been named ‘Busta’, as he spends his whole time trying to break out of his cage….. And sit on the lampshade….. Chantelle, my youngest, completed her music course at the … Continue reading
Posted in Jon's layout ramblings, Layout design, N Club International
Tagged ESNG, Layout design, modular layouts, N-Club International
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Jon’s modules – retirement projects?
As my income drops dramatically, here are a few additions to the gloat box….. A very neat sheet metal bending tool, for those etched brass kits. Supplied quickly and painlessly by this on-line shop. I never remember what I need … Continue reading
To sound or not to sound…..
More and more layouts seem to come with sound these days – even in the confines of N-gauge. It was different 15 years ago. I recall an early open day when we almost went mad as the Cha(I)rman was giving … Continue reading
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings
Tagged Hints and tips, inspiration, Layout design, model railroad
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How to do an undecorated model
I was delighted to receive my long ordered Rapido Osgood-Bradley coaches. I was less delighted that they chose to take the money from my account just as the pound tanked after Brexit! The Rapido models are delightful, and full of … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, Uncategorized
Tagged Hints and tips, Lehigh Valley, model railroad
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Letter to the editor – Two steps to save our hobby
This post is hi-jacked, with apologies, from the Model Railroad Hobbyist forum. It’s worth a read and seems to make a lot of sense to me. It’s another, if lengthy, plea for small model railways….. Letter to the Editor Reversing the Decline … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, Layout design
Tagged inspiration, Layout design, model railway, N gauge
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Baseboard joints
I recently came across this interesting product. I’ve been using copper-clad strip at my baseboard edges to keep alignment, but the strips I’ve used are a bit wide and I can’t hide them all under level crossings or board crossings. … Continue reading
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, The trade
Tagged Hints and tips, inspiration, Layout design
2 Comments
2B or not 2B?
Keeping track clean, and by association keeping wheels clean, is a perennial problem. How often do you see a loco stall at an exhibition, followed by a lot of work with a Peco track cleaner? I came across this tip in … Continue reading
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, The trade
Tagged Hints and tips, inspiration, model railway
1 Comment