N-Scale Modular Layout
The Central New York Chapter of European Train Enthusiasts has embarked on a modular layout project. Basis for the layout is the Bend Track module standard with some modifications. Working a bit backwards, we are still working on finalizing out specification, but enough detalils are firm to begin construction. The Bend Track standard was selected because it allows for the creation of a functional round-and-round layout with two modules, making it ideal for our small chapter. To date we have 5 modules under construction or pledged. The Bend Track standard was also attractive because it allows modules of almost any length or shape (with 24" depth), for viewing from both sides, and avoids having a "operating pit." Benchwork will be from Sievers Benchwork. For ease transport the module is 36" long (ca 1 meter) allowing it easily fit in the back of most any car. All participants in the project are free to scenic/design their modules as they wish. While not ideal in the sense that there will be little continuity between modules, it does allow everyone maximum freedom of expression. The image above shows the rough outlines of my module that will be thematically set in Germany's industrial Ruhr Valley sometime between the mid-50s and mid 70s, or just about anywhere in the industrialized East. This means that scenery will be the antithesis of bucolic alpine meadows... Scenic elements will feature a river which has lost all of its natural charm, has been straightened and is become a sort of open sewer, with the Emscher serving as my model. To the right side of the river (see above) trees and some green will form the transition to the next module. A row of rather-run down (schmuddelig) workers' housing units will line one side of a road which will cross the tracks on both sides of the module. A retaining wall form the transition to the next module on that side. Images of this type of housing can be seen at Drehscheibe Online and at Reinhard Krause's site. All structures and details (almost) on the layout will be scratchbuilt from card using images from my collection, some found online and on the Busch backdrop CD, and from pattern sheets available from Scalescenes. Construction technique will follow that used for my other structures and described in my forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=896>tutorial. As work progresses on other modules and images become available these will be added to the CNY Chapter's web pages along with our specification. As always, comments are welcome. Interestingly enough, I have no n-scale stock (nor have I done anything in N), but I think it's important for our Chapter to finally start working on a joint project... To that end I'll also be giving a demonstration of my card modeling technique at our next meeting using the Bergbau-Grill as my subject. It'll likely be my first completed structure for the module. Best wishes for the New Year, Peter

Work has been proceeding forward quickly thanks to some long weekends made possible by extra vacation days. The river has been poured, preliminary scenery put in place, and retaining walls for the underpasses attached. The track has only been temporarily put in place to allow for a wiring demonstration during our Chapter's meeting. The first structure is also ready, the Bergbau-Grill. This will allow workers to grab a quick curry-wurst between shifts. The "level" it is resting on as well as the outside retaining walls will be glued down when ballasting has been completed. The railroad bridges still need to be made and are a priority so that the track can be permanently adhered and ballasted. Trees will be planted towards the end of the project. As I began working on this I found myself downloading more and more pattern sheets from Scalescenes. Going to be really useful. What I also wish was available were sheets with various types of window and exterior window trim. Guess I'll surf the web and look through all my old slides for those. Really getting into the project though, even though it's still "not my scale." Click on images to enlarge A more detailed report on the club project and module specification can be found on our club Website. p.

Peter--another source of windows and doors are paper models that one can download from the web.

Before I can think about final positioning of the track, ballasting, and construction of the structures and other details I needed to build the bridges spanning the river. As in nature, I made the river first and was then left to find/make the appropriate length bridge. As it turned out, the span was either too wide or narrow. This meant scratchbuilding. Both bridges are made of card and still awaiting final detailing and weathering, but are otherwise set and in position (though not affixed). Bridges will receive a base coat of black with rusty overcoat and grime. Thus, there are still a few hours work left in the bridges, but I can sense completion. Inspiration for both was gathered by viewing bridges spanning the Emscher from above via Google Earth, videos, print publications, and kit manufacturer's catalogs. These gave a sense of the style and proportions of the bridges in relation to the the track, railroad stock, and landscape. While some details will invariably be off, I believe I captured the general proportions and overall feel of the originals they are based on. Click on images to enlarge

Both bridges are now finished and have been detailed and weathered. The base paint color is black with a rusty overcoat and grime. The track has also been ballasted and cut back to allow for the 5" module connector tracks. The surface where the street and structures will be placed has also been glued into position, but not before the track was cleaned and an engine -*test*-('") run on each track.

After an extended period of working on other projects and taking a break, work has restarted in earnest largely motivated by our Chapters -*test*-('") of the modules September 29. I'd like to be as close to finished as possible. Residential structures are scratchbuilt using images on the Busch background CD, Stipp card relief models, and printed sheets and kits from Scalescenes. The retaining wall is an example of a Scalescenes kit. Condition of structures and detailing will reflect postwar realities that existed well into the 60s, especially in depressed or industrial/workers areas, East or West. This includes braces to secure walls on the structures to either side of one that no longer exists... Still a ways to go such as weathering and completing the "landscaping," but can feel it all coming together. Click on image for larger views...

Lots of scenery and detailing and weathering done over the past 2 weekends. Also built the Quonset hut. Windows and doors on that were made more German by replacing with printouts from a Gleimo kit. People are still missing, but will come shortly. At this stage I'm pretty much done with the exception of reinforcing and painting the module's foam sides. For larger images go to http://web.syr.edu/~pdverhey/eisenbahn/pvmodule.shtml Enjoy, p.

Well, we've all been busy since our first public outing with the modules in November. Late that month I prepared boards (laying track and wiring) so my wife Hope and daughter Sofia (age 10) could build their own and then discretely helped my daughter with some of the really small bits while keeping my distance from my wife as she wanted to do it all by herself. Today we brought all three modules up into the living room and hooked them up. Then trains were run back and forth and back... Really need to get cracking on my end module so we can really run them. My wife also didn't raise an eyebrow when I pulled some new n-scale stock out for the first time. Wonder if she'll notice the 15 car (4-axle) ore train when it arrives. Images below Sofia's (center) and Hope's (right) modules connected together with Peter's (far left). The modules were connected in the living room and now Peter must really start with his end module so that we can run trains. I really must start that end module... :roll: The full report is at http://web.syr.edu/~pdverhey/eisenbahn/pvmodule.shtml. p.

Peter, Yes, you must get going on it :lol: :wink: ! By the way, I have found that SWMBO is very observant (at least in this household). I do believe that it is genetic/DNA related! Oh yeah - she will see it! :shock: Looking good! Kudos to all of you! What a great family event :D . Peace and long life, Jim

Ahhhhhh SWMBO. Unfortunately SWMBO's "job" is full time at home. Very difficult to intercept Red Cross parcels from Germany without her seeing them. Upside is "they all look the same". They don't, but discretion is the better part of the valour. After all don't all women look the same? John

Ahhhhhhhhhh. Do what I do. Have them sent to work, and then sneak in the house later... p. Very difficult to intercept Red Cross parcels from Germany without her seeing them. Upside is "they all look the same". They don't, but discretion is the better part of the valour. After all don't all women look the same? John

The Other End Loop: Finally began construction on my end module in mid-February and quickly made progress. First, completed construction of Walther's "gasometer" (used to store the gas created as a by-product of the coking process) and then scratchbuilt two blocks of pre-fab cast concrete flats as well as the little garden shacks in the "grabeland," an informal community garden usually on land owned by the DB. Still to be built a partial factory and office building. The module consists of two levels with the flats and other buildings over the loop. To ensure easy access the loop is painted black on in the inside making it more or less invisible, yet providing interesting viewing as the trains go through (for those at that level. To make the trackage more interesting, a siding was added next to the gasometer, the turnout also doubling as a connecting piece to the next module. With the exception of more stunted pine trees, landscaping is mostly done on the lower part with the "grabeland" posing a gardening challenge, as well as the addition of a shed on the tarmac slab. On the upper level, there will be parking lots on either side of the flats, paths to the buildings, and a main road separating the flats from the industrial area. The tank and structures will also receive weathering. Go to http://web.syr.edu/~pdverhey/eisenbahn/pvmodule.shtml#end for larger images. Enjoy, Peter

With the exception of weathering the Gasometer and some minor detailing, I've finally finished my foray into the world of modeling in N. Now, I can look forward to running the trains and showing the layout, either with our club or with the family... With the exception of the Gasometer, all structures on the final module are constructed of card and scratchbuilt (excluding a handful of small kits such as bus shelters, transformer stations, and the phone booth). http://web.syr.edu/~pdverhey/eisenbahn/pvmodule.shtml#end has pictures, a selection of which can be seen in the previous post, It's been fun... Now back to my regularly scheduled H0 layout that has been lonely these past 14 months while all efforts went into building these Bend Track modules, an outgrowth of our European Train Enthusiasts Chapters' project... p.