Pain in the Nethers - Chassis Frustrations -1

DB notes some N scale developments in recent decades:

I had the good fortune to be deposited into Aladdin's Cave a few weeks ago, but left feeling I like had been mugged, despite returning several desirable items from my shopping trolley back to the shelves.

This aisle is 95% N scale 'locos'. Dribble. ScaleTrains in the two shelves of red boxes at right that extend to the front of the shop, and more in the left distance behind the counters, which mainly contain layers and layers of Atlas/Kato/Intermountain models. With some rarer brands and steam in the counter closer to the front. Microtrains stuff and N containers are hanging on the wall at left, with some N and HO track further down.

The main item on the shopping list was a pair of SD9/7/35/26 to turn into DCs. All good, they had new 'DCC ready' Atlas SD9s for a reasonable US $90 all up, and I already have a bunch of leftover Digitrax decoders for Atlas locos from the last time I bought a few of these.

I then got suckered into buying a gorgeous ScaleTrains SP tunnel motor (with sound) at a ludicrous price. I didn't want sound, but this was the one only that was in the mid-late-90s configuration left, and I was already smitten at that stage. I also picked up a Canadian wide-body 'DCC ready' Dash 8 for a reasonable price, which looks lovely and is something different for the American fleet. I searched for ScaleTrains BNSF H2 Dash-9s among the hundreds of Scale Trains items but there was nothing sensible available.

After much wringing of hands, I decided to look more closely at a ridiculously-priced Paragon sound-equipped Pacific that looked like it might make a good Ab. I'm not really a steam dude, but could do with something pre-1980s to sit at Elmer Lane and tow those three red coaches along.

One of the sales guys asked if I wanted to test anything on their track before I left. Most diesels are pretty foolproof, but it made sense to check that the expensive, complicated and fiddly-looking Pacific worked. Onto the track it went.

It moved (as expected), but the sound! Phenomenal, loud, realistic! Mind blown. The first and last time I'd heard sound in N scale was 17 years ago, a pair of SD40-2s that sounded tinny and toylike with no bass, so other than for the novelty value of hooting the horn, the expense of sound seemed pointless... back then. 

After that, the Tunnel Motor might be worth a listen. Again, I had low hopes that were again shattered. Sooooo good! I double-checked there wasn't another mid-90s Tunnel Motor hiding at the back of their shelves.

Back down to earth upon returning home, I got inside the Atlas SD9s only to find that the chassis design has changed. My Digitrax Atlas decoders won't fit these new ones. Drat. Worse, they have a 'plain' DC circuit board that looks like something out of an iPhone which might be a challenge to solder a normal decoder onto, plus there is little piggyback for a tiny DC (the default) or DCC or Sound+DCC board that uses an E24 nano-socket. Whatever that is. The SD9s  (whether DC or DCC or sound+DCC) have a speaker built in.

In hindsight, had I known all this, at the very least I could have bought two matching E24 decoders while I had the ability to get them at US prices, or, now that I have heard that N Scale sound is far better than it used to be, plumped for sound equipped ones. Then I checked the prices and remembered why I went for the $90 DC units instead of the $175 DCC/sound ones (marked down from the $250 USD RRP each!!).  

Some thoughts on N scale market developments that seem to have occurred in the last 12-15 years. 

• The cost of N sound decoders is insane given that they look pretty similar componentwise to a DCC decoder. They are often $100 USD or more. 
• Many locos are being retooled for sound, so if you have a drawer of decoders that you bought 20 years ago for future loco purchases, they're probably not going to fit the new models. Dammit.
• Rather than having manufacturer/model specific decoder replacement boards, the industry is moving to decoder plugs. Unfortunately there are a proliferation of 'standard' miniscule decoder plugs in N at the moment (just pick ONE already!).
• I wonder if it is going to be harder to get non-sound/non-dcc locos in future, because the newest decoders can now automatically detect and switch to pure DC (non-DCC) operation, while still providing basic sound functions. As far as I could see, this shop had no steamers available that didn't have DCC/sound, so they were all very expensive. 
• All of the above is pushing up the prices of N scale locos. I'm grateful to have some Dash-8 chassis (plus decoders!) in stock for DXs, and a bunch of DCC-equipped SD40-2s that I could sacrifice into DFs. 
• Given the way the prices have escalated in recent years (and this is before potential new tariffs take hold) the older and plainer but still very good quality Atlas/Kato/etc stuff from 1990-2015 might become more "valuable" to NZ120 modellers. 

Upon returning home, I note GraFar has a new re-tooled British 08 model that is tempting for a DSA. Again, even the base DC edition comes with a speaker (sound-ready) whether you ever will need it or not, and costs from $322 NZD upwards. The prices on the DCC/Sound ones go up to $727 NZD! For a little 0-6-0 shunter! The top of which I'd throw away anyway! Crikey. 

More on Chassis Frustrations in an upcoming edition.

The other side of the fence

 Over the last couple of months (as you will have noticed) I have not been doing a lot of modeling. Now normally this time of the year is a low modeling productivity time as we are all expected to do things outside, or at least be somewhere visible to the rest of our friends and family. But I currently have other distractions. 

Before you all say "oh no he's gone mad and headed off to another scale" Thats not quite the whole truth. I I  started off buying On30 stuff 15 years ago as it was cheap and reminded me of 19th centuy Baldwin equipment. I even built a layout after we brought a house and I had no space for Paekakariki. I nearly sold it last year. However it has proved very usefull to properly test a new cheap DCC system. And while doing this I have had an epiphany of sorts. 

NZR modelers are model makers. Its simply who we are and where we have come from, given that there is no RTR. That means assembling a sizable number of locomotives and rolling stock takes a lot of modeling time. Then on top of that there's building a layout to run it on which really isn't trivial either, both in terms of work and time (though hand laying your own track is never going to set any records).

I'll contrast this with US modelers. Now I will be the first to admit that I have less interest in US railways than I do in the tax codes of Bohemia in the 15th century (though the armies are another matter entirely). However one thing that they do do extremely well is building layouts that operate like the real thing, quite unlike anything else on the planet. And I think its something NZR modelers really miss out on. 

I think that the big issue is that for most of the stations in New zealand between the main centers, theres not much difference in design. "n" Passing loops where "n" is a number betwen 1 and 6, a goods shed on the  furtherest passing loop from the station building, if n is >4 an option for an engine shed and/or possibly a way and works yard at an end. Oh, sorry, and options for either being straight or on a curve. if there4 is an industry its something to do with agriculture. You really have to go out of your way to find something outside these options (ports being an obvious exception). Whats really missing is the "play value" and by this I mean not just letting trains run, but stopping to do some shunting along the way. For this you need rolling stock that runs well, track thats layed flat and a coupler other than the standard NZR( if you want to go "hands free").

 Junctions are a bit more interesting but you start to hit size issues in the larger scales (as with the larger "n" stations) not just with length but with width as well.

Right, I'm going to post this now as I've been adding to this for a month and I should draw a line and throw it out to the peanut gallery for comment.

RailX pt 2

 As I said in pt 1 I had a few conversations over the weekend.

I was asked up to a TTrak layout for an opinion on something. This was repainted and re-decaled N scale US models. I was asked to be honest. I thought the colours were good and then it was all downhill...I don't think I will be invited back. At least Fretesch are the correct makers models (and I can tell the difference between a U26C and a C630).

I then had a chat with a gent who had been a member of the Otago Model Engineers (OMES) after I had been there in the early 1990's. One thing interesting that I did learn that the model of Dunedin Railway station I built is to be moved to a display cabinet downstairs. Now, this might not sound like much, but the live steam guys defend the spots in these cabinets with a similar fevour to that last seen in Japanese soldiers in late WW2. Apparently its on facebook (which I'm not, I'm very picky about where I get my disinformation). Oh and before I came forward they thought it was built by an Asian exchange student...

Last up was Brian Roulston of Scenic Textures. We both cut our early serious modeling teeth at the OMES in the early 1990's. From him I learned that another old member of the Otago NZ120 modular group had passed a month ago. I think this leaves me as the last man standing from the original group in the early 1990's. We reminised about some of the characters and stories which quite honestly has brought a tear to my eye as I write this.  My memories of this time are not only about the huge layout that we assembled, but also that I don't recall any arguments in the group, just a shared vision for a layout. I've been lucky enough to (so far) do that twice in my life so far. Hoopefully I get another chance yet.

The only thing we can do as modelers to honor our friends memories is to pay it forward ourselves.

An Observation...

Something I've noticed while looking at 2 axle bogie options for NZR diesels is something that should have been screamingly obvious to me all the time.

Now we all know that the bogies under the De, Ew and D/Dm/D sets are (to all intents and purposes) the same. The scale bogie wheelbase is 20.2mm (2438mm) and the wheel diameter 7.7mm (927mm).

Next, lets have a look at other shunters measurements.

The wheel size is identical for all 4 locos 7.8mm or 940mm, and I'd defy any reader to pick the difference between 7.7mm and 7.8mm under a loco. The bogie wheelbase is 20mm (well, apart from the Dh at 17.3mm which is close to the Gp series bogies at 16mm), which is basically identical to the English electric bogies above. 

What about (most of) the rest.

Here we have a variation of 20mm to 20.8mm (again, try picking that under a loco from 2'). The wheel variation is a bit wider (9.2mm to 7.2mm).

The only other loco not on these pages is the Dj. 18.4mm with a wheel dia of 7.8mm. 

So, apart from 2, the rest of these loco's could be made from 1 bogie drive system with just a variety of wheel sizes.

The Future?

 Found on the 2mm Association website last week.

Is this the past and the future of modeling displays at exhibitions?

At least theres no chance of setting the fire alarms, or having Brabs borrow all your tools....

Saturday Morning

(I'm trying to get back into this blogging business.)

A sunny day here at La Casa Dandruff, and I've already turned the compost (and that's not a euphemism for anything). I've had an email from Shapeways to say that my order has been printed and shipped, so in a couple of weeks I'll start learning about how to use acrylic body shells, and if its worth it.

Following on from the West coast binge that is occurring here at the moment, I've been pondering about how to turn the area into a layout. While there are some bits (the branch lines) that would be relatively easy to model, fitting the bits into a larger system is a bit problematic. Its had me pondering (again) the merits of creating imaginary routes and stations on the west coast. Its one of those things where its something I would like to do, but my inner historian keeps yelling at me (historians love an argument, and unlike inner finescalers they can hold their drink). I know its reasonably common in the states (simply because its so large), but in little old NZ where if it was sensible (or not) someone built a railway, so all the easy bits are taken. There's possibilities (a second route across the southern alps) but once you have a route it doesn't seem to make sense to duplicate something.

Birthday time

And i even missed it.

Again its been a long time between posts. A combination of busy at work, a bit of 1:1 scale modeling on an older wooden home (and to think we seriously looked at a 100 year old house) and a general pause in modeling.

So, where am I up to?
Mostly its trying to find a bit of enthusiasm to get on with the wharf. I've come up with a way to actuate the points, but have a bit of a mental block to start with the piles. This is going to be a monumental task to do, and it will be a challenge to get it right. The paper ship I'm using also has a few issues that I will have to fix at some point.

The major problem I have is one of perfectionist block (I think that's what its called). I can have a vision of what I want to achieve, but lacking the skills (or confidence in those skills) to get to that vision means that it doesn't get past the starting post. Or that the order of the steps is crucial, and a lack of confidence in a future step can scuttle the current one.. I guess it might be a hangover from my current professional career. This involves every step being planned in advance, and nothing happens until every step to the final one is visualised. OK its not quite like this, but in chemistry if things go wrong, they can go wrong very fast and people get hurt (or at least have to fill in lots of paperwork discussing what went wrong)

In some ways working on the house has been good for this. I've now learnt to push a small project through till its either finished, or won't leak during winter. I can leave it there and go and do something else. I've also been dabling in another prototype/scale which allows me to build without worrying about whether its prototypical or not (since I'm making it up). Its also nice to be "mostly" working with RTR models for a change.

Hopefully this translates back to NZ120 in the not too distant future.

Link of the week: impressive modeling from India

DB says:

Greetings, Antipodeans, from the homeless International Nomadic Branch of Motorised Dandruff Inc.

I was recently sent a link to some Chinese steam pics on Vikas Chander's website and as one does, I had an explore. By Jiminy, I stumbled upon some impressive modeling detailed in there that is really pushing boundaries.

While we all have our weaknesses, why he models German prototype is beyond me... but, for example, check out his layout lighting in the link here. That is just the coolest thing. subtly different colours in lit windows, dusk doloured skies behind buildings. Wow.

He also has laser marked cork road bed (derived from 3rd planit files) for laying out his staging yard, clever module mating and track alignment ideas, resistance solders his feeders to tracks to avoid melting sleepers, and details some of the most impressive (if bewildering) electronic implementations.

We can only dream... but it's well worth a browse!

Warning: avert your eyes if you're on a limited budget

Another birthday

Today the blog turns 6. Normally at this point I write some philosophical garbage, but I'm just not in the mood for that tonight.

I see that we have managed 12 posts so far this year. This tends to suggest a bit of a problem in the motivation stakes, or 'bloggers block' if you will.

'Sometimes, blogging is just soooo hard'

I have in the last few months that I will start writing a post, then wondering if I am repeating myself. This then leads to deletion and going back to whatever else I was doing. I don't want to go down the path worn by others where they continue to discuss the first loco that they built back in the 19X0's trying to inspire others (how or why I'm not so sure). Not doing any NZ120 modeling currently (that staple of many blog posts past) doesn't help much.

I do feel to some extent that I have been superseded by the next generation of NZ120 modelers. I don't believe this is a bad thing, In fact its great to see that the scale is thriving far beyond anything I expected 6 years ago. 3D printing has made the production of models far simpler as there is no need to hold stocks of parts for a kit (the classical method). I think we will see in the next few years the production of add on kits in the form of cast and etched parts to super detail the bodies. Another thing I would like to see is more on line reviews of these models along with close up photos.

On another tangent I received an E-mail today from a modeler wanting to start out in NZ120. The questions tend to be the same standard ones that we have had here from time to time. Many moons ago Greg Keay approached me about writing an NZ120 primer for the guild. I think this was going to be as part of a series for all the common scales used in New Zealand. I have no idea what happened to this grand scheme (indeed Greg has been rather silent of late. I hope that there's not a bad/sad reason for this as I'm still looking forward to a brass etched Ds top), but maybe its past time to write such a document. It could keep me out of trouble, and the history chapter is already written.

Coments on Coments.

 From a previous post in the comments section

Making one's own track gives a far more life-like appearance - the track is where it's needed and moulds into the space rather than the space awkwardly being reshaped around limited commercial track.

This is true. there is nothing like hand laid track. However it is impossible to throw points round to see what works and what doesn't (which I do miss at ties). Its far harder to debug a pencil drawing, and rather frustrating to start again.
(and no, I wouldn't build standard point work by hand. It completely defeats the strengths of hand laid track).

There's actually quite a lot of modelling in the above plans. Paekakariki was quite close to being finished - just a few buildings in the middle of the track and some catenary masts and ballast and it could be passed off as completed.

At a very basic level yes I guess its not far off finished. However there are still quite a few things to fix track wise before the buildings and catenary go up. The turntable and associated trackage need to be fixed. Both fiddle yards need to be built, which really isn't a trivial matter,
and the station building grew like fungus.....

For me the largest stumbling block is what will I do with it when its finished. How does it get played with.At the end of the day Paekakariki was designed to emphasize locomotive movements. There is no shunting to speak of, just the shuffling of locos back and forward.When I first came up with the idea 6 years ago it seemed like a good one (especially for an exhibition). Now, maybe I've moved on.
(something that does appeal to me is Lance Mindheims idea of an "instant on" layout, about 1/3 of the way down the page here).

The size of the layout for a lone modeler is also rather daunting. I'm now leaning towards a collection of smaller layout bits, or even different scales and prototypes ( the siren sound of 2mm finescale refuses to go away).

So where does this this leave Paekakariki? In the garage packed up, and not far off the point of"make me an offer".

Sunday night

Answering questions from yesterday morning

What's the longest train you expect to run point to point? 
Will you have digital coupler locking and unlocking to make shunting easier?

Hmm, where to start, especially when I have not quite established a track plan.
I'm also not planning on modeling an actual location per say. This raises for me an interesting question in that if I base my layout on a location with adaptions to get things that I like included.
The flip side is that people will forever be telling me that I've got it wrong (which does get on my goat). As an example I'll offer up a very nice paper model of the TSS Earnslaw. Now I could build this model and use it on a layout, but the procession of people telling me 'oh, so its Kingston then' or 'thats in the wrong place' would just force me to start killing people.

Anyhoo, the envisaged train length is about 10-12 4 wheeled wagons (or there abouts). I could decide to run longer trains but then I would not be able to get the operational interest that I want.
I can only assume that you are talking about remote uncoupling. I can only see having this on the locos (if at all). There's probably not the space even for that under most of my locos.

And these are not really things I'm worried about until the initial track plan is in place. More about that later in the week. I must admit that my initial plan does break down well into MMW modules.

Another year shot

Well, its that time of the year to take stock and set some targets for the new year.

This is going to be somewhat harder this year as my modeling is in astate of flux at the moment. The house purchase and move (and the associated work involved) has staled the modeling entirely. I have not even set up the work bench properly yet.
So, what are the plans for the year?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I don't seem to have the space for Paekakariki at the moment (unless there is some major surgery outside). The model room has space for an end to end layout, but I'm not sure what form it will take (including scale). I'm leaning towards something freelance (location wise) with a port at one end, and a fiddleyard at the other. epriod also to be decided.
I must also have a crack at teaching myself CAD this year, if only for the big bits. I can see a few purchases of 3D tops from Shapeways coming on, especially after the 3 part Df series in the Railfan last year. Theres also the fell loco's to sort out.

Just pondering after I've writen this, and re reading some old posts, maybe its time this year to make a more concerted drive to get our free-mo layout up and running. Despite a few teething problems last year with it ( I always get to odd module set), things worked well enough.
Would there be interest in a module 'kit' of a fixed size (say 3') long?

Installed

Finally I have a moment to write another post.
Everything is installed at La Casa Danruff. The modeling room indoors is almost set up. The total space is 2.6m by 3.1 ( or 8' by 10' for those of you old enough to remember). I've managed to score a corner desk cheap from trade me, and it fits with the 2 cube bookcases into one end of the room.

Its not big enough to fit Paekakarik and so I'm now doing some thinking about a layout based on MMW modules.
Currently I'm leaning towards a port scene, an industrial scene and leading to a fiddle yard. There has been quite a few options postulated here over the years, including Opua, Kingston and Port Chalmers.  I've even knocked up some module track plans which would just about fit.
I've also discovered recently that there is a paper model of the Earnslaw available here.

This asks me another question on Layouts. Can one combine a collection of models into a scene that they historically would not have operated and make it believable, or would you just get nailed bu the rivet counters. I know deep down that I shouldn't care, but my day job relies on Accuracy..

If I'm not required in the garden too much over the next couple of weeks I'll think about some possible modules that will fit into the room.
As a scary aside, I see that I'm now officially recognised by the National Library no less.
I'm not sure whether to feel chuffed or terrified.

Saturday Morning

Posting has become a bit slow here of late. Odd as work has stabilised. The project that was sucking the life out of me 5 weeks ago has become a project that now seems to be behaving (which in chemistry is no mean feat). I should have recovered the drive to get back modeling aging, shouldn't I? Maybe not, and here's why sort of.

The Lady of the house and I have been dipping our toes in the time honoured Kiwi pastime of 'selling ones soul to a bank for an extended period of time', otherwise known as buying a house. We are currently at the exploratory house hunting stage '(get me the elephant gun, its a big one this time'). Its always intriguing to have a look through other peoples houses, if only in a 'what the hell were they thniking' kind of way (and yes, there have been a few like that).

Its an interesting juggling act as well with a variety of things to be factored in. Most important is a good bathroom and kitchen as this is where all the costs are if you have to fix these things. Number of bedrooms etc and a decent garden all figure in. So, what about the most important room?

This is an issue with huge implications as when one signs up for these things it doesn't tend to be for a short period of time. Renting is all well and good when you can just decide one day, I feel like something different, lets go out and have a look. So, what am I looking for in my next model room. I guess I should have a look at the pros and cons of my previous 2 rooms.

Nelson was a bedroom inside the house. It was about 9' by 10' with carpet (and plenty of small springs and screws by the time we left). The modeling desk was in the sight line of the TV, and I could converse with the lady of the house if I felt so inclined. There was no layout to speak of (though if the MMW module ends had been available, who knows what could have happened). In terms of productivity it was very good. Paekakariki was destined to run down one side of the garage.

Palmerston North is the sleep out behind the garage. It's 11' by 20' (give or take) with plenty of space for all my gear. I'm on my own out there for hours at a time. Its been not that great in terms of productivity, to the point where modeling projects have appeared on my computer desk inside the house with an increasing frequency.Paekakariki takes up one whole side of the room (and more).

So it appears that I am looking for a room inside the house, possibly with some extra space outside. This means 3 bedrooms (one for guests) plus a decent garage of some sort. Now given that I'm unlikely to find a 16' long room inside a house what does this mean for me layout wise, and more importantly, it begs a large question.

Has Paekakariki become a 20' millstone around my modeling neck, and is it time to move on to something more practical with better design and more operational satisfaction?

I'll continue this thread tomorrow, assuming I'm not mauled by an errant house during an open home.

Milestones time

Well, it's the 1300th post here. I've got rather ho hum about these milestones. The first hundred was exciting, as was the 500th (I think) and the 1000th too. After that, I'll look forward to the 2000th maybe, but that's still quite a few months off.

More interestingly we have just hit 200,000 page views. Now apparently this is quite something on the Wibbly Wobbly Woo, especially for a small blog on an obscure topic read by a handful of people a day. I can only assume that our several regular readers have short memories and keep hitting refresh every 2 minutes.

I guess looking back over the last 5 years the blog has changed. It started mostly as modeling, history and a bit of rabble rousing. We merrily commented on anything and everything, from the Journal to the latest Kiwirail news. We have merrily tilted an windmills and targeted a few sacred cows.
However sometimes I feel its gone from an L'enfant terrible to middle age conservative (with improved spelling along the way). In some ways, I think this is a good thing. The scale has gone from the brink of extinction to a viable option for modeling NZR. This renaissance has been lead by several local manufacturers, one of whom took a huge punt on the scale several years ago.

How is the scale regarded by other NZR modelers? Certainly I feel that some self appointed experts tend to look down their nose at us. Others look on with mild amusement. I still think we tend to share more with the 9mm scale guys (and more than just a common number measurement). I also think its interesting that these 2 scales seem to be more 'go ahead' currently than the middle scale, which seems to be in somwhat of a holding pattern.

So, where to from here? N scale is changing with continuously available loco models giving way to shorter production runs, with repeat runs separated by several years. As an example of this, it's now hard to find Bachmann 4-8-2's in US shops. In the UK, spares of all sorts (both loco and wagons) are far harder to find. The scale needs freely available wagon wheel sets on 13.5 length alxes, ideally from on shore. I'd like to see some accurate steam loco mechs available to initially run under the current range of 3D printed tops.

To finish up I keep going back to the first post back in 2008. This whole blog was inspired by John Rappard. He started me in the scale 25 years ago. I'm just paying it forward to the rest of you.

Ponderings

I've been pondering over the last couple of days about what I would do if I was forced/decided to start over. Its not anything earth shaking, just my idle brain at work.

I'm very lucky to have a room that is 20' by 12'. However if we do decide to move (and the lady of the house has been looking at houses on trade me) I'm quite unlikely to be as lucky again. I also feel that Paekakariki, though good as an idea, is an appalling waste of the overall space in the room. If I had been able to build from scratch, I may well have decided on a layout with several peninsulas, and probably a bit more operating potential. The MMW modular concept would have got a bit more of a look in. This would have created a more flexible layout for any future house moves. This is all from a purely practical analytical standpoint. As it is, the layout takes up one side of the room, and my bookcases and wargaming gear the other. I have designs on the top of the book cases for another project.I wonder if there is anyone who would want to take such a large project on. It may suit another group (or a group)

Oddly enough, when Mr Bond visited last night, he thought the track ran really well (visitors and reliability seldom mix, he's well come back any time) and I should get stuck into the ballasting. Even the bush tram locos ran well, though 1431 needs some surgery after the mech took a trip onto the floor at Masterton. Its nice to have a different set of eyes looking at something (beyond the normal pack).

Maybe come summer when my workload is not quite so daft.

Gadzooks! We're Credible!

Am_Fet writes:

Its interesting that whenever I think of "our" scale, I always get the impression that we are a minor side shoot lagging well behind the major juggernaughts of S and 9mm.....almost like the poorer and significantly smaller cousin.

Cabbage however, seems to have different ideas.  He quite frequently proclaims in a loud voice on street corners to startled passers-by that Nz120 is the scale of the future.  Sure, I snigger, and make rude pointing gestures towards him behind his back....

NO MORE......After todays wee episode I am truly a convert.

This morning this got placed on my desk with the question "Can you make it go?"

"Its....a box", I retorted, quoting Woody from Toy Story.

"No, can you make whats in the box go?"

So....what I have in my hot little hands is a factory built 1:87 scale DL made entirely from brass.  To make it move under its own power will require the sourcing of a self contained power bogie....investigations are not just continuing, they have yet to start.

And the reason?  Unless you missed it (I know I have), apparently rail in NZ is 150 years old this year.  To celebrate this milestone, KiwiRail are putting together a display train of old to tour the parts of the country the tracks still reach, and one of the display containers will include moving model trains.  I've been told the shopping list (to match the DL and Frateschi DX's) is for 10 container wagons, 10 log wagons and 10 milk wagons......

.....And this is when I thought "Where are we going to find those in HO?  It would be so much easier in nz120...."

TRUE STORY!

Its a pity theyve already decreed Nz120 to be too small for the display.  But even if you moved up to S for display you couldnt do it.  Your minimum radius would screw things for a start (I think we're already overstepping our bounds with a 600mm radius) and then once you factored in 2 DX's ($500 a pop) followed by 10 container wagons (thats another $400 without even trying) youd be well on the way to bankruptcy and the display train would end up consisting of a life size cutout of Jim Quinn on a Hi Railer....with a flag...

Take it as gospel....Nz120 IS the best scale to model modern image.  And I think we can all be proud that we've played a part in that.

And we're five

 And with it a cat picture.

Yes, its been 5 years since I sat down at a computer and signed up for an account on Blogspot. all that time later and here we are at 1249 posts (bugger, out by one). 250 posts a year. One post every 1.461 days. That's a lot of writing. I'd like to that all my unpaid flunkeys writers for continuing to contribute their thoughts and other items of interest. And you the reader for turning up to have a look to see what we are/have been  up to. Sort of like onlookers at a car crash.

I do occasionally look back at earlier blog posts, often to see just what I have written previously. My spelling seems to have improved somewhat, and most of it now is simply down to the speed that I type with 2 fingers while not looking at the screen. we don't seem to have as may philosophical discussions that we used to. Maybe that's because we got them all out of the way and just got on and did some modeling instead.

So (as I always ask) where do we go from here? As a scale things look bright. There are more entry level models available at a reasonable price. I look at the current crop of 3D prints available on Shapeways and think how far the scale has come from home made resin casting 30 years ago. Trackgang seems to be selling OK volumes of models (though not enough for Russell to retire on). The speed with which these guys can create a loco is astounding. As an example the H top went from a request (for a museum) to completion (apart from a few minor tweaks) in about 4 weeks. And its all square which is something I still don't seem to be capable of. The financial model is a bit different to that seen historically for model manufacturers. There doesn't have to be any stock held, the modeler just orders a model off the interweb and it arrives. This has the reverse effect that the models are hardly likely to appear in local shops (given the large markups on local model railway kits) and so you can't just head down to your local shop on a whim and buy something off the shelf. They are still based on overseas prototype mechanisms which are not quite right. At this point I'll step down off my previous short horse position and say I now don't have a huge problem with this. Case in point I've been wanting to do a K/Ka for 5 years now, and Paekakariki needs 4-5 large steam locos to look right'er'. Now I either have the choice to wait for me to build one, which could be 5 more years, or I can build some now which serve as place holders until I get off my ass and do something. Its a compromise I think I can live with now, and it gives me a chance to stop focusing on this road block and deal with some other ones.

 Now to the future.

Looking into my crystal ball I see 3D printing as a source for locos and maybe wagons (though the price seems to be a bit steep at the moment). White metal and resin for rolling stock. I can also see the opportunities for multimedia kits with largely RP bodies, brass etched details and cabs and metal castings for the rest.

Things I think need to be solved. Wheels. Wheels wheels wheels wheels wheels wheels wheels.
I have problems when new modelers come to me and ask 'so what wheels should I use'. The honest answer is that I don't know any more. I've used every wheels set available (I think) and its all be trial and error. Sorry i can't do better than that. Currently everything we have available to use has a drawback (and then there is trying to get a reliable supply). I can't get the wheels that I want and I think its now holding my rolling stock modeling back.

Maybe its time to see if we can't agree on a base wheel dimension that we like and get together and order a few. There would have to be compromises, but I'm sure we can work round it. Personally I'd like to see an NMRA standard N scale wheels solid wheels (even though I'm in the spoked wheel era) and a 13.5mm axle length. Finer scale modelers are already catered for by the 2mm association and there is always the good old 'buy overseas underframes and modify them' for those of you still into that sort of thing. The holy grail (or a cheap knockoff) would be loco wheels for those of us unhappy with the current commercial mechs.

And as always there is the cry for more layouts to be built, and more exposure in the mainstream modeling world. I know its hard to concentrate on building a layout when you do have to build everything. Aim to build something small that can be extended into a larger layout later, like an industry or loco depot. Build a mini module to have a play with things. It doesn't have to be huge. Build a wagon kit or 2 and scenic a short piece of track to run sit them on.

Finally a call to arms. The next convention is 11 months away. Get building now.
(go on, stop reading this and get back to the work bench...)

The "Last Layout" game....

Am_Fet's mind wanders again....

I had the grave misfortune the other week to be in the same room as a TV. And rather than playing an enthralling test match between us and the mother country, it was assaulting us with one of those inane cooking shows that relies more on camera angles and incidental music to build tension. I mean, honestly, its cooking....and to quote Hamish Rutherford, "Its not like we're saving babies".

But I digress....the reason this came to mind was the contestants on said show were told to play the "Last Supper" game. Its your last meal, and you can have anything you want, served wherever you want, and with whoever you want to be with.

So lets play the train geeks version; The "Last Layout", as it were.

You've got an army of skilled artisans, as big a space as you need and an unlimited budget. So what do you do? NZ, or somewhere else? Nz120 or 9mm? The whole of the NIMT or a bucolic branch? Modern or Historic? And even more importantly, unlike the poor contestants we wont expect you to actually build it for the judges to say foul things about.

Herr Druff is knee deep in Paekok in Nz120, but would he be seduced by 1:24th scale GWR Broad Gauge? Will KiwiBonds go back to his love of American N and model the entire area around Mojave and Bakersfield in scale? And would my brain explode with the pressure of choosing between all the different ideas in my head, leaving me a mere husk of a man weeping gently in a corner (of a very large, empty space)?

The comments section is open below....go to it!

Saturday musings

I've been having a bit of a ponder this morning about the various models from Shapeways, and how things could be improved. Looking at this picture this morning gave me some pause for reflection on how far things have progressed.

If any of this had been attempted in another medium, there would have been some major work involved. Different sides, ends and details would have to have been made. These would then have to be purchased, bundled up correctly by the manufacturer and sold. If the variation you wanted was out of stock, 'sorry thats your tough luck you should have brought one sooner'. The bonuses using this tech are great for a manufacturer. you don't have to carry any stock as the model is never out of supply. You don't have to spend your spare time doing that actual physical stuff that selling things entails (packing, posting etc).

One thing that I would change (if I was doing it) would be to possibly move away from the 1 piece model theory. The current level of technology generates models with some ridging (due to the process printing in layers). This can be easily removed but gets to be more challenging when details are in the way. taking the above example are the roof ventilators and collection of handrails (which In my experience tend to be brittle as well). My preference would be for these to be separate pieces, with locating holes on the main body. Handrails may well be better served by being etched from brass (if they could not be printed).The British have a 'large/sizable' cottage industry supplying extra detail parts for RTR models (and kitsets) so maybe theres a chance for a similar sort of thing to happen here. Possibly one answer would be to do 2 models, the first a 1 piece model with all the bits attached, and the second a 'clean' model for superdetailers to start from (its really nice to have a basic square form thats beyond my skills as a start point). Maybe the detail parts could be printed on a separate sprue, or even supplied by a different company, as MMW has done for the trackgang DF/DFT and Dx kits. 

As always, comments from the peanut galley welcome.