Category Archives: Prototype

Off my trolley – North Shore in ‘N’ gauge

Posted on July 10, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

I recently came across David Milburn’s layout on the web.  His layout is unusual in that it: Is traction, a model of the North Shore (CNS&M) interurban out of Chicago. Is in ‘N’ gauge. Is British. It’s also very, very, … Continue reading →

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Obituary – Ian Allan

Posted on July 6, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

I spotted this obituary in the Daily Telegraph.  In the UK and for those of my generation, Ian Allan was synonymous with train spotting books and quality transport books.  Certainly in my teens and early twenties, Ian Allen was THE … Continue reading →

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A good ‘believe it or not’ scenic feature?

Posted on June 28, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

Anyone can model a car crash or lots of emergency services on their layout.  However, this would really stretch the viewers belief. From the Daily Telegraph: Last Wednesday, Mr Xiang was driving along the Chongqing-Guizhou Expressway in central China when he … Continue reading →

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Off my trolley – San Pedro

Posted on June 24, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

At the end of one line from LA and Watts were San Pedro and LA Harbour.  In the days of large ocean liners, collecting passengers from the liner and transporting them into LA generated a lot of traffic through San Pedro. San … Continue reading →

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Direct train to Europe

Posted on June 18, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

This is a good post to follow our Berlin adventures, and explains why we had to fly EasyJet rather than get a direct train London-Berlin.  In this article, the BBC looks at the new Eurostar service to Marseille and gives some … Continue reading →

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The Bartlett’s in Berlin – 3

Posted on June 16, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

The area around the Warschauer Str. terminus is of both railway and historic interest.  Behind the station itself is this small maintenance shed, and a large carriage shed.  I don’t think Lidl are now operating trains!  Although I didn’t see any trains enter the … Continue reading →

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The Bartlett’s in Berlin – 2

Posted on June 14, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

Just next to the Warstrauer Str. U-Bahn station was the S-Bahn station and the DB main lines.  I suppose in UK London terms, the U-Bahn is like London Underground, whilst the S-Bahn is more like London commuter trains – the … Continue reading →

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The Bartlett’s in Berlin – 1

Posted on June 12, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

Maxine and I recently spent a long weekend in Berlin, visiting our eldest daughter.  We thoroughly enjoyed Berlin, despite having chosen to visit the same weekend as the Champion’s League (football) final.  It’s an interesting city, the greenest in Europe, with all those Cold … Continue reading →

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Off my trolley – Pacific Electric to Watts – 3

Posted on June 8, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

Finally, could one model the northern end, at Oscar’s junction, or the southern end, at Watts, of the four-track main line?  The prototype track layouts below are taken from the Model Railroader article.  Both have real potential as stand-alone layouts, but … Continue reading →

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Off my trolley – Pacific Electric to Watts – 2

Posted on June 4, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

Now for a couple of simple ideas for Pacific Electric N-mod modules.  I’ve selected two places where other lines crossed the four-track main line.  The first of these, nearest Watts, is at Slauson Tower, where the ATSF Harbor branch crossed the PE.  The … Continue reading →

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