Category Archives: Layout design

Is our hobby art?

Posted on June 4, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

A blog post I was reading recently asked the following question: Is our hobby a creative art form? And added a quote from John Updike: “Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right or better” I was mulling … Continue reading →

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LVRR – Lehigh Gorge

Posted on May 28, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Nice photo posted on the Model Railroad Hobbyist site (quick plug – this e-magazine is nearly all North American, but is free, high-quality and downloadable on any tablet or computer to keep).  Not sure of the photographer, but it’s a … Continue reading →

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Composition.

Posted on May 13, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Originally posted on Prince Street:
I think we could use a photo like this as a primer for the urban landscape. It’s certainly one I’ll be returning to often for all those composition lessons it offers. There really isn’t much…

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

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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