Long overdue post

Hello one and all,

long time since the last post (been very absorbed in my degree!)...

No news on the layout or much streamliner research at the moment (I seem to have reached the edges of the existing N-scale streamliner universe) but I thought readers who share my love for mid-20th century design optimism might enjoy the music of one of my fantastic new friend's bands, the fantastically talented Ricky Brawn who is drummer for (amongst others) the Space Cadets.

Enjoy. More updates sooner rather than later...

K

Layout update

No major updates but I've assembled my coal stage loading chute thing from the ratio kit. Mostly very high quality mouldings but some parts were way too thin and relied on a lot of creative use of clamps to hold together edges... not quite as well thought out as the last kit I built (the kibri church). In particular the ladder was way to thin and snapped when I was trimming sprue so mine has a shorter upright ladder rather than the conventional angled ladder specified in the kit. I also replaced the handrails on the ladder with Nbrassloco handrail wire as it's straight and stiff (for some reason Ratio seem to think it's a good idea to supply handrail wire as a coil of fairly soft stuff in a tiny packet in the instructions... bizarre as the box is more than big enough to fit straight lengths of decent stuff). Anyhow, the Mrs wants me to have it painted black as per everything else in our apartment (grown up goths) but I'm not sure what would be best... suggestions welcome as ever.

Pics of assembled (minorly kitbashed) coal loader...

Rail Zeppelin Update

Fantastic article on the Schienenzeppelinhere courtesy of greyfalcon.us I couldn't fin any contact details for the author so hopefully he wont me linking... the rest of the site's stuff on unusual vehicles is fascinating also.

Wiki image of the Schienenzeppelin or rail-zeppelin as it is sometimes known:



N gauge model of the Schienenzeppelin and it's derivative model the SVT 13715 are available from MGSharp here

K

Kato GG1

The mumblings are out there... apparently we can expect a new N scale version of the Loewy's iconic GG1 at some point in the new year... no official confirmation from Kato (and I did ask very directly!) and no pictures anywhere up online but it's enough to make me hold my horses on buying an old Arnold one... got to love that Japanese quality!

K

Layout Update

Updates on some bits and pieces...

The Nn3 streamlined shunter is well underway and has basic body and wiring for the headlamp (GOW bulb) sorted, it runs a treat on the Z scale flex track I got from MG sharp - one of my favourite online shops for railway bits and pieces. I'm waiting on some detailing parts from Nbrassloco and some kind donations from a fellow Nn3 modeller to finish it off. I'm using a nameplate of "The Great Bear" from Fox decals and the whole thing will be nice matt black.

As it stands it looks like this:





Paint job's on the freighter, though I'm still having trouble getting the wood right... I need some custom transfers really to fit with the rest of the layout...

My Church

Built, kitbashed and painted Kibri church for my layout.... more gothic than deco but I love it.

At last a N scale PRR T1

The fantastically weird and gorgeous PRR T1 has in fact been modelled in N scale by someone.... albeit not a manufacturer.

The evidently fantastically patient Max Magliaro over at Max Cow Online scratchbuilt (or extreme kitbashed perhaps?) it from Con-Cor/Kato Hudson chassis with handmade styrene and brass bodywork. More info available here but for the full information a visit to the NTrak Steam Locomotive Information Book is in order.





Thanks to Max for the images:

Max has also got a rather lovely version of the NYC Hudson again with Con-Cor/Kato Hudson chassis using a brass and styrene scratchbuilt body and tender...



Applause in order I think!

Now if only he could be persuaded to make a cast of them...

Anyone else who's found any Loewy designs in N scale please let me know!

K