Category Archives: Layout design

Jon’s modules – update

Posted on May 11, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

It’s been some time since I gave a module update.  Progress has been slow, and wiring continues.  I occasionally make some time to solder a few more links in to place. I almost envy those who seem to be able … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on module design

Posted on May 7, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

I have always liked model railroads with a self-contained backscene and lighting.  It is a neat way of presenting your railway, and is especially useful for small layouts.  You can walk into an exhibition and be up and running in … Continue reading →

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Apocalyptic Perspectives and Dystopian Dioramas (recommended)

Posted on April 29, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

The Model Railroad Design blog recently had an inspirational post on “Apocalyptic Perspectives and Dystopian Dioramas” offering some inspirational, if slightly depressing ideas for model railroad design.  I recommend the full article, but here are a couple of photographs from the … Continue reading →

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Would you dare model this?

Posted on April 22, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

This is the ultimate piece of trackwork.  It comes from Sardinia, and presumably is used to turn locomotives (or maybe just to confuse people).  It’s tempting to build, despite the curved crossings, but you would need to have a picture … Continue reading →

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Why N gauge?

Posted on April 1, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

I seemed to have wandered away from N gauge modelling in recent posts.  So with my 100th post on the blog, it’s back to my roots (for now) and to ask the question, why model in N gauge. A little … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Jon's layout ramblings, Layout design, N Club International, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Off my trolley – interurban branchlines 3 – the Sacramento Northern

Posted on February 27, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Despite the fact that the Sacramento Northern boasted 183 miles of track around San Francisco it was really just a long, glorified branch line.  Even in 1940, long after most other interurbans had degenerated into poorly-maintained shadows of their pre-WWI … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Layout design, Traction | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Off my trolley – modelling traction in N

Posted on February 18, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Let’s take a slight diversion away from layout design to consider what one might run on this N gauge traction layout.  At moments like these I sometimes wish I had chosen HO to model in.  There is a good range … Continue reading →

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ESNG modular systems

Posted on February 16, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

The ESNG works to two N-gauge modular systems.  With our show coming up, perhaps a quick reminder of the standards is in order.  The first is N-mod.  This is an adaptation of the USA N-Track system, the main difference being … Continue reading →

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Off my trolley – branchlines 2 – North Hollywood

Posted on February 4, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

One of my many diversions away from railways is reading (almost anything).  This includes crime fiction.  One of my favourite authors is Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch police procedurals – set in Los Angeles, and especially in the Hollywood area.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Layout design, Traction | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Off my trolley – interurban branchlines – 1

Posted on January 29, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

A good, if rather conventional, place to start with interurban layouts, is the conventional branch line.  Some electric railroads were no more than a branch line in total.  Others, like the Pacific Electric, had twigs off the branches off the … Continue reading →

Posted in Layout design, Traction | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments