On someone else's Workbench

I don’t like building baseboards, but I’d scrounged the wood so I’d got nothing to lose, and I finally got my courage together yesterday afternoon, and started building the baseboards for “Spitzenwald”.

I haven’t pinned everything together, and remarkably I’ve not had any major disasters, unless they’re hiding. Even the framework for the join (Which I've never done before) worked out. I admit it does look ugly. Well, never mind, soon it will be hidden under the equally ugly baseboard.

Track...

Unfortunately the track that was to be delivered to my parents in the UK won't be there in time for when they drive over to visit. Almost two weeks after I ordered and paid for it there is no sign, and this from a trader who promises 'Fast delivery'. Hmm...

Growler 1…

More indulgence. Here is the planned first locomotive, still in card mock-up form, but a better picture than I’ve had previously.

There are wheels under there somewhere: the model is running on a complete Bachmann 0-6-0 Plymouth. If you look closely you can see the Plymouth roof horn through the cab windows. I’d like a modern European style colour scheme, but I’m undecided on how it should look, so I’m open to suggestions. The model is loosely based on the Schöma locomotives of the last DB narrow gauge railway in existence, on the island of Wangerooge, as seen here. The text is in German but the pictures are beautiful.

Nuts and Bolts...

...and washers and other bits. I've been spending money again. I've finally got the basic tools, and even some 10 mm cork, as used by Stephen F. on his Farlight works model. There seems to be a national shortage of safety rulers so I am using a carpet rail instead, but I was able to get a scriber. I know, I can hardly stand the excitement either.

If things go on this way I might even have a couple of models to post soon.

One reason to like the model railway industry

I’m starting to think of what sort of locomotives I’d like. A bit premature perhaps as I haven’t got the baseboard ready yet, but I needed a morale booster. So I write an email to a company making kits for locomotives to ask about one of the items on their range, and a within 48 hours the guy running the company emails back and tells me everything I need to know. Now correct me if I’m wrong but I doubt that Bill Gates responds to Microsoft enquiries, especially with a personal email. It’s good to be back.

Cassettes

The plan for Spitzenwald is going through a fluid phase again. Someone suggested that I use cassettes made of Aluminium 'L' section instead of my usual straight length of track for the fiddle yard. I like the idea, because it is simpler than a traverser, and I can move stock without handling it but I've never tried anything like this before. We shall see.

5 seconds can make a difference

So yesterday afternoon I decide it's time to stop piddling about and order the track. I go online and find a good offer on Ebay, take a deep breath, and blow the €55 I've saved on 6 yards of flex track, two L/H mid radius points and two R/H. It'll be delivered to family in the UK who are coming to visit in a few weeks.

Three minutes after I commit to the sale and empty my track budget, and a bare five stinkin' seconds after the Paypal confirmation comes through, I get an email from John Holland, the tireless second hand sales officer for the 7mm narrow gauge association in England. He's been looking for some track for me and he's finally got some in. He is offering me 12 sets of points, delivered to Germany, for about €25.

Well at least I have some track.

I'm trying look on the bright side.

Creative Salvage

I'm still 'Recycling' materials and it seems that I've got enough to build the baseboards. (For the whole baseboard story look in my old blog, here. One day I may get the whole lot together...) The wood I've salvaged is from the building site opposite and it's a bit rough, but I can deal with that. Now all I have to do is figure out how to make the two baseboards join.

A few adventures in Stuttgart

On Wednesday we had a family day in the beautiful City of Stuttgart. I managed to get a few pictures while My wife went shopping...