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Breitefurt (my first layout)

Started by Chris, May 17, 2009, 12:19:04 AM

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Jeff

#180
Ok, Chris, I'll let you off the hook  ;). It just seemed as if you would have built some other layout sometime during your life. I know I have! Have you considered a multi-section slightly larger layout? I know you were striving for the maximum operation and portability, but maybe once Breitenfurt is done you can build something to leave up and running at home...
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

Chris

That's the idea Jeff. The only problem is that it has to be able to be assembled and transported by one person. I do have some ideas floating around somewhere in the voids in my brain and all will be revealed once I firm up on them.

All the best,
Chris.
Chris
N & Z Home PageBahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost

Marklin Z scale Bavarian S3/6___________________

Jeff

How about a box about the size of your current one, but a little taller. Make the layout the same size as your current one, but folded up the long way. Then you'll have twice as much room to railroad without increasing the size of your kit much. It would mean more setup/breakdown time, but with trial and error and some practice, I bet it's not a big increase.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

Chris

Hi Jeff.

That was the original idea with my present layout but got dropped. My next layout will be N scale and a totally different concept that I have still to finalise in my mind. I want to be able to use it at home and at exhibitions but I do not want to operate it from the front. There were a couple of layouts at the Utrecht Eurospoor which were ruined by the operators stopping the visitors from seeing the best parts of the layouts. You will see what I mean when I have managed to put up a webpage.

Incidentally, the freight train in the photo is the first one that I have run at exhibitions that stayed on the rails (well, mostly).

All the best,
Chris.

Memo to self. Get the concept worked out. Post Utrecht, Dundee and Elgin expo reports.
Chris
N & Z Home PageBahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost

Marklin Z scale Bavarian S3/6___________________

Jeff

Yeah, that is more or less the biggest complaint I have with Z scale- every tiniest error is magnified into a train wreck. N scale is crowding the line (or was at one time). Maybe Z will mature into something really reliable, but it's been around long enough that it really should be better (IMO). I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

Chris

The fault isn't with Z, it was my clumsiness and not realising that I needed to check every joint before pinning down. There is a new track just on the market that may be better.

Best wishes,
Chris.
Chris
N & Z Home PageBahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost

Marklin Z scale Bavarian S3/6___________________

Jeff

And I would complain about the price, if I didn't understand entirely why prices are high... :) When I think about trying to scratchbuild in Z I get headaches. Actually doing it would give me nightmares. Even in N, I have issues with building stairs and ladders :( . Now I find that the only hobby shop within 40 miles is gone. Moved away to somewhere less rural, I suppose.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

Chris

Dear Friends,

Just a very short (copy and paste, sorry) message as I have a lot to do before I leave for next weekend's exhibition. I have posted five more photos of my layout, five by moonlight and one after the clouds have covered the moon. I do promise that there will be some daytime photos soon (and, maybe, a couple of videos). Anyway, do have a look at http://tiny.cc/breitenfurt/ .

With best wishes,
Chris.
Chris
N & Z Home PageBahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost

Marklin Z scale Bavarian S3/6___________________

Andrew

Hi Chris,
Your layout has come a long way and it looks great.
Pity I cannot say the same. House and garden seem to be taking most of my time at the moment, although Easter looks promising!!!
Look forward to seeing the photos from the exhibition.
Andrew
Yours,

Andrew

Chris

Thanks Andrew. I have to admit that I gave up on our garden long ago – too much rain + not enough drainage! Good luck with yours (when is Easter????). I must try to come here more often. I just have so many things to do.

With best wishes,
Chris.
Chris
N & Z Home PageBahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost

Marklin Z scale Bavarian S3/6___________________

Jeff

Chris, I think I have a suggestion about your unresolved questions involving doing a new layout- I think you should design a layout that is in effect a module. Then design a surrounding layout for your home that is an extension of the module. That way you can take the module to show off at shows and then have the expanded layout to have fun with at home.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

Chris

Hi Jeff. Thanks for the comment. You are not far off the ideas in the back of my mind. I do not have time to build 'two' railways so my idea is to have a station module (or modules) that can be inserted into the rest of a loop either way round, thus allowing viewing and operation from inside or outside the complete layout. However, with the deterioration in my eyesight it may be too late anyway. (I am seeing the ophthalmologist next month.)

Best wishes,
Chris
Chris
N & Z Home PageBahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost

Marklin Z scale Bavarian S3/6___________________

Jeff

Sorry to hear about the vision problems. Another good reason to move from Z to N, hmm?
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

RhB_HJ

From Z to N?  Changing from electric ants to electric june bugs?  :o :o
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

Jeff

Exactly! Chris has no room for OO, so N it should be. Besides, he wants to be able to transport the module to train shows in the family vehicle, not an 18-wheeler :). And it's 'electric FLEAS' to 'ladybugs'....

@Chris,
Don't put off that visit. If it's progressing like that, the first thing that would pop into the opthamologist's head is 'macular degeneration'. I have a friend about your age with the same problem. There are some drugs that help and the sooner started, the sooner you get helped.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It