Category Archives: Layout design

Jon’s modules – fiddling with the fiddle

Posted on April 26, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Well, last week was easy to write, with all my pictures from the exhibition.  I’ll have to go back to write something a little more original now….. You may have noticed the lack of progress with my N-club modules.  When … Continue reading →

Posted in Jon's layout ramblings, Layout design, N Club International | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What’s at the ESNG show?

Posted on April 4, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Show update: Overflow parking is in the Doynings sports centre overflow car park ( RH1 1DP), just 5 minutes walk from the school. Take the entrance and bear right to the upper car park. There’s 4 free hours parking there. … Continue reading →

Posted in ESNG, ESNG meetings, Layout design, The trade | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Better looking N-gauge track

Posted on March 29, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

One of my continuing issues with N gauge is the poor appearance of the trackwork.  This, together with the heavy looking wheels – OK on diesels, but obvious on steam locos, has often temped me over to the 2mm dark … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, Layout design | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Llanastr – yet another small layout

Posted on March 17, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

The blogsphere is a small place and downright incestuous at times.  Two of my favourite sites Prince Street, and Andrew’s Trains  both recently featured one of my favourite small layouts, Llanastr, built to P4 (4mm/ft, and a scale 18.87mm gauge) … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Layout design | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Another small layout idea – and a view from across the pond

Posted on March 13, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Trevor Marshall’s “Achievable Layouts” regularly comes up with some interesting model railroad ideas.  They are often small (and achievable), as Trevor models in ‘S’ gauge, so a medium size layout to him is a very buildable small layout in ‘N’.  His … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Layout design | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book review – ‘Model Railroad Planning 2016’

Posted on February 26, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Regular readers will know that I am better at planning railroads than building them, and probably prefer the armchair to the workshop.  So I was pleased to receive this year’s copy of ‘Model Railroad Planning’, published by Kalmbach, from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Layout design, The trade | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Fairford branch line

Posted on February 14, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

I have always been adamant that I wouldn’t model a GWR branch line.  Perhaps there were just too many models of them about in the 1960’s and 1970’s when I was developing my taste in railways.  I do, however, rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Layout design, Prototype | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

An N-gauge micro-layout

Posted on February 12, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Came across this little N-gauge micro-layout by Mike Holly on the Model Railroad Hobbyist forum.  It’s only 43.5 cm x 17.5 cm in size (I guess about 18″ x 7″.)  Operation is made possible by two short traversers at either … Continue reading →

Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Layout design, Out and about | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Alton exhibition 6 February 2016 – 2

Posted on February 10, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Another fine layout at the Alton show was Dock Green, an O gauge shunting layout set in East London in early British Railways days.  Full marks, too for the layout name, bringing back memories of watching ‘Dixon of Dock Green’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Exhibitions, Inspiration, Layout design, Out and about | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Off my trolley – a bargain (I think)

Posted on January 27, 2016 by snitchthebudgie

Reading a blog recently, the writer recommended the ‘Model Train Stuff’ shop and internet shop.  I couldn’t resist a browse, and the site made me an offer I couldn’t refuse – Bachmann ‘Peter Witt’ trolleys in Los Angeles Railways livery … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Layout design, Prototype, Traction | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment