Category Archives: Traction

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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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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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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Off my trolley – Pacific Electric to Watts

Posted on May 29, 2015 by snitchthebudgie

Once again, it’s been a long time since I posted on traction and trolleys.  But I’m still thinking about modelling ideas, and while I wait, more interurbans and trolleys keep appearing on the Shapeways site. One of my issues with … Continue reading →

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A (short) trip on the Docklands Light Railway

Posted on October 21, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

A wedding in Shadwell, east London, meant that I had my first trip on the Docklands Light Railway.  OK, so the DLR has been open for years, but this was the first time I had been on it.  We went … Continue reading →

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Off my trolley – Pacific Electric – Toluca Yard

Posted on August 28, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

It’s been far too long since I posted on traction and trolleys.  But the start of this post is a reminder of how useful Google Earth can be.  First, here is a screen dump from Google Earth, “somewhere in Los Angeles”, … Continue reading →

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A cheerful interlude – two train crashes

Posted on August 19, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

As a welcome break from the philosophy of model railways, Allan came across these pictures in the news, of two recent train crashes.  Fortunately, casualties seem to be limited.  First, Switzerland, where a RhB train came off the narrow-gauge track over … Continue reading →

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Another modelling challenge?

Posted on July 19, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

As a PS to last time, and Swiss trams, this Basle “piggy tram” defies description!  I came across it whilst browsing the internet, and had to look at Google Images to check it wasn’t a Photoshop special. Perhaps it’s an ideal way … Continue reading →

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Los Angeles modelling inspiration

Posted on May 9, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

This is one inspiring photograph for urban detail.  It comes from John L. Mathis’ site, and he kindly allows one to reproduce his work with acknowledgment. The Los Angeles PCC cars were narrow (3 ‘ 6″ I think) gauge and … Continue reading →

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