Die Keinnamebahn was invited, and we have now confirmed, to show at the 009 Society’s premier show, Narrow Gauge North, at the Civic Centre, Pudsey, Yorkshire on Saturday 9th March 2019. My wife and I are honoured to be invited to this show which will exhibit some of the UK’s finest narrow gauge model railways.
Author: Retiarius
A 60 something web designer returning to railway modelling after a 40+ year absence.
A banner for our exhibitions
As part of getting ready for our 2019 exhibition outings at (Chapel-en-le-Frith on 23rd & 24th February, Narrow Gauge North at Pudsey (9th March) , Chesterfield Model Railway Society show at Bakewell (8th & 9th June) and the North Wales N Gauge Society show at Conwy 6th & 7th July) I have designed and had […]
Christmas is coming early – my wife is buying me a model maker’s belt sander
Christmas is coming early for me this year. My wife, forever trying to buy me a useful present, is buying me a model makers’ belt sander for Christmas. It is only 175mm x 110mm x 140mm/6.88” x 4.33” x 5.51” in size and uses 330x10mm belts as used in some electric files/sanders. I should be useful […]
Converting a cheap Chinese plastic model into a working H0e Garratt
This conversion was made by Andy V8, a narrow gauge modeller. He has given me permission to post this article on his conversion. It used a cheap plastic souvenir model of the Garratt locomotive “ H.R.Zubieta” on the 600mm gauge Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino (FCAF) line in Uraguay. Andy used 2 Koppel locomotive chassis by […]
Using bicolour LEDs to produce directional lighting on DCC locos
Many commercially produced locos have bulbs or LEDs to illuminate the headlamps and tail lamps. Modern LED equipped locos usually now have bicolour LEDs to change between red and white depending upon the direction of the loco, but many don’t and just have a single colour LED or lamp that shows white only in the […]
A couple of excellent 1:87 scale French small lorries
I recently obtained some lovely 1/87 scale models of French road vehicles. They include these two models of Renault Galion trucks. They are not cheap at but in my opinion are well worth the money for the rarity and quality of these models. They would grace any Continental H0 scale model railway.
You can now follow us on Facebook
You can now follow Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Narrow-Gauge-Railway-Modelling-1926030680780061/
Chinese made models can have inaccurate scale information.
I bought a supposedly 1/87 scale cherry picker (lift platform) off of eBay from a Chinese seller. The box clearly states 1/87 as the scale and so I am not complaining against the seller, but the item is clearly not 1/87 in scale and I estimate it to be at least 1/48, 1/43 or even 1/35 […]
UK Model Railway Clubs
If any club wishes to be listed here please provide your club name, website address and/or contact details to narrowgaugenews@retiarius.com and you will be added as soon as possible. International 009 Society, dedicated to promoting the modelling of narrow gauge railways in many scales. www.009society.com England Bedfordshire & Buckinghampshire Beds and Bucks Narrow […]
UK Model Shops
This is a list of UK models shops that have a physical shop rather than just an on-line sales service. Please visit their websites or telephone the company for details of their opening times. If any model shop wishes to be listed here please provide your shop name, address, website address and telephone number to […]
Making cyanoacrylate glue dispensing tools from darning needles
This idea is not mine, I picked up the idea from reading the forums on ngrm-online.com. Dispensing superglue (cyanoacrylate adhesive) to stick small components can be difficult because the thin superglues are very runny and you can easily flood the item if trying to dispense it from the nozzle on the bottle or tube. You […]
Improving my Resistance Soldering Unit (RSU)
The Resistance Soldering Unit (RSU) that I bought was a second-hand unit and appears to be a home-made unit. It was nicely finished but I wanted to check it out for safety as potential mains voltages and hand held probes do not go together! I therefore opened the box and checked that all the wiring […]
Resistance Soldering – my first attempt
I recently bought a resistance soldering unit (RSU) to help me construct etched nickel silver and brass models. My first project is to build the RT Models 4mm scale 009 gauge Shotton Steel Works/SBR Hudswell Badger Loco body kit. To make the ground connection for the RSU I use a piece of 2mm galvanised steel to […]
Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling now on Apple News
You can now follow this blog on Apple News if you have an iOS or MacOS device such as an iPhone, iPad or Apple computer. The Apple News articles will automatically synchronise with posts on this blog. The Apple News channel is called “Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling”. To see this channel, open this link on […]
Using Meccano to make a gearbox for motorising the Peco N gauge turntable NB-55
I built a turntable for Die Keinnamebahn and electrified it using Peco NB-55 n-gauge turntable kit and a 10rpm geared motor, worm and gear obtained from China, via eBay. I had to build my own gearbox frame from strip brass, no easy task for this amateur metalworker! The installation worked but I wondered if there was […]
Using chinchilla dust as a road surface on Valdeiu-Lutran
I needed to make a relatively large expanse of station yard and road on Valdieu-Lutran. I decided that chinchilla dust, a form of powdered clay, would be a good base. I initially tried to stick the dust to the baseboard using diluted PVA but this was unsuccessful because the clay did not stick well. After […]
Making a small loading dock for Valdieu-Lutran
I was going to be using the European Station models by Bachman for Valdieu-Lutran but, when I tried them in real life rather than as appearing on the track plan, they appeared far too big for such a narrow baseboard, especially against a train. The goods shed especially was too wide and needed to be […]
WHR NG16 Garratts at Beddgelert July 2018
Welsh Highland Railway South African Garratt articulated NG16 locomotives crossing at Beddgelert, Noth Wales in July 2018. [ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”19″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”120″ thumbnail_height=”90″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”1″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show as slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Valdieu-Lutran, the goods yard level crossing is started
Today I started the level crossing for the goods yard for Valdieu-Lutran. The methods is the same as for the embedded track using copper-clad PCB onto which sections of Code 80 track are soldered for the rails and catch-rails. The PCB copper is gapped between the rails and between the tracks using my Dremel and […]
New counterweights and connecting rods for Liliput 2095 H0e diesels
The Liliput 2095 diesel in H0e is still a much-wanted model even after being out of production for nearly 20 years. The loco is usually very reliable but has an Achilles heel in that the plastic counterweights go brittle with age and split at the point the connecting rod pin is pressed into the counterweight. […]
Starving the carpet monster – a way to stop losing small parts when working at the bench.
All modellers have experienced that dreaded moment when a small part goes ‘ping’ from a pair of tweezers or when using a scalpel to cut them from the spruce. Dropped parts, screws and other tiny bits are promptly eaten by the carpet monster only to be found when you have finished or binned the project […]
Die Keinnamebahn published in 009 News
My copy of the 009 Society News (Volume 45 Number 10, July 2018) dropped through my letterbox this morning and my article on Die Keinnamebahn has been published as the lead article. It is over 20 years since I last had an article published, and that was in my capacity as a Member of the […]
Making a simple 3-point track gauge for Peco 009 Code 80 rail
When laying track on a curve using copper clad sleepers or onto copper clad sheet for embedded track the track needs to be eased in gauge slightly for good running. To do this on Peco Code 80 rail then you need a 3-point track gauge. I have been unable to find a commercially produced 3-point […]
Nearly finished the embedded track on Valdieu-Lutran
I have been busy working on the embedded track on Valdieu-Lutran station yard. Any of the cobbles that rose above the rail height have been cut down to below rail height and painted with a granite grey paint, with some cobbles having a slightly browner colour. The cobbles have then been coated with Games Workshop […]
More work on Valdieu-Lutran and its embedded track
Today has been spent checking that the embedded track was usable by a selection of locos. One, a Roco 0-6-0 tank caused problems by being tight on the track. After checking and resetting the back-to-back measurement on the loco all is now well. The copper clad pcb material was trimmed to 1/8″ outside of the […]
Embedded track on Valdieu-Lutran, my new layout
It has been a busy day. I now have a name for my new layout. It will be called Valdieu-Lutran. Valdieu-Lutran is a small town in France near the German and Swiss borders and sits on the Canal du Rhone du Rhin, so allowing me a small quayside and, if it is a heritage railway, […]
Cheap DC from DCC lighting boards
I came across these boards on eBay. They are listed as “1Pcs Bridge Rectifier IN4007 Ac To Dc Converter Wave Rectifier Circuit Board” at 99p each but the seller was accepting offers so I have managed to order 12 for £9 inclusive of postage. The boards will easily power a few LEDs on each baseboard. […]
More rocking horse droppings – Atlas Editions L’Automotrice du Train Jaune Z-105 + 2 Remorques (ZR-20001 and ZR-20033) – 1909
It never rains but it pours rocking horse droppings, or rather rare Atlas Editions autorail (automotrice) models. In this case a 3 piece set of L’Automotrice du Train Jaune Z-105 + 2 Remorques (ZR-20001 and ZR-20033) – 1909. The set will join my collection of these lovely models. The Little Yellow Train of the Pyrenees […]
Buying a rocking horse dropping – or rather an Atlas Editions L’autorail Floirat et sa remorque 1947
I have for sometime been buying autorail models by Atlas Editions with the intention of converting some of them into narrow gauge models using n-gauge chassis. The other day I saw what, to me, is the rare as a rocking horse dropping, L’autorail Floirat et sa remorque autorail with trailer. I had never seen this […]
The new layout – Cork track underlay laid
I am using 1” wide 2mm thick N-gauge track underlay which I am sticking down using 3M spray mount adhesive. The cork can be carefully bent to fit a 12” radius curve. I used low-tack masking tape to hold it in place whilst the glue dried.
DCC power and control bus using pattern makers’ dowels with contact enhancement adapters
On my new layout I am again are using the brass pattern makers’ dowels that align the boards to transfer the DCC power and control signals between the boards. 2mm bare solid copper wire is used to create a power/signal busbar between the dowels. The electrical contact between the male and female pattern maker’s dowels […]
Building the new continuous circuit baseboards for Die Keinnamebahn
I have now got around to building the ten baseboards required for the continuous circuit version of Die Keinnamebahn using 4 prototype corner versions of the scenic baseboards generously donated by Tim Horn (timhorn.co.uk). Tim has redesigned the basic scenic boards to have 6mm moisture resistant MDF tops and, for the corner boards, the normal […]
Using removable pin split hinges as baseboard connectors
I needed a way to join together the new prototype corner scenic baseboards kindly gifted to me by Tim Horn so that the boards are tightly held together and located by pattern makers’ dowels. I decided that using small removable pin hinges would be a suitable and quick method of achieving this aim. Most split […]
Another attempt at tree making
A second tree is now under construction utilising the experience of making the first one. I used 6 instead of 4, 150mm x 0.6mm, stainless steel wires to give me more branches and a thicker trunk. DAS modelling clay was again used to thicken the trunk up to the lowermost branches and to form ‘roots’. […]
My first home-made model tree
Die Keinnamebahn has, so far, used plastic trees obtained via eBay, from Hong Kong. Though cheap they are no very realistic and are only about 4 inches tall, a scale height of approximately 28 feet in 1:87 H0 scale and all looking the same with not a very good representation of leaves. I wanted to […]
Adding sound to a layout using inexpensive MP3 players
I wanted to add some ambient sounds to Die Keinnamebahn. Not wanting to have a wired in solution I found on eBay some inexpensive (<£5) self-contained mp3 players with 2 inch speakers. The units have a 4 hour rechargeable battery and can use mp3 sound files from either micro SD cards or USB thumb drives. […]
Developing Die Keinnamebahn for home use
At 12ft in length Die Keinnamebahn is too big for assembly in my home and so is only an end-to-end exhibition layout. For that reason I am trying to develop another layout that can be operated at home as well as being an exhibition layout. Using 400mm x 250mm boards developed in conjunction with Tim […]
Bravelady – the carte blanche loco
Well Annie and I took Die Keinnamebahn to the New Mills & District Railway Modellers exhibition at Chapel-en-le-Frith this weekend and I was most pleased that it worked well all weekend with only track cleaning required between days and the odd spot clean towards the end of the days. I thought I would share this […]
Exhibition readiness
I am now getting Die Keinnamebahn ready for its third outing. It will be being displayed this coming weekend (24/25 February) at the New Mills and District Railway Modellers exhibition at the Leasure Centre, Long Lane, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. The revised servo powered uncoupler system is, so far, working well. The ESU SwitchPilot Servo Version 2 […]
New level crossing on Die Keinnamebahn
I was never really happy with the level crossing on Die Keinnamebahn. The plastic roadway was designed to fit HO/00 gauge track and did not fit the Peco mainline narrow gauge track. The original crossing did not have infill in the tracks. The original MKD gates and approach ramps were retained. Today I replaced the […]
ESU SwitchPilot Servo problems and the SPROG 3 solution
I had a problem when we exhibited Die Keinnamebahn at the Rainford show in October. The ESU SwitchPilot Servo (Version 1) I was using to operate the remote uncouplers decided to overheat and fail after only 10 minutes of the show starting! This was despite it working successfully for over a week at home! I […]
Faller sector plate for N-gauge announced for 2018
Faller have just announced that they will be producing a motorised n-gauge sector plate. This should be an easy conversion for 9mm gauge narrow gauge modellers.
An attic/loft hoist for Die Keinnamebahn – Adding a hoist platform
I obtained an old galvanised ‘Champion Bread’ bread tray from an eBay seller. By bolting four 1m chains to the corners and using 4mm carabiners to link the chains to a central 8mm carabiner I had a basic platform. I lined the mesh base with 4mm plywood so that small items could be carried. By […]
An attic/loft hoist for Die Keinnamebahn
Having built Die Keinnamebahn, my H0e scale narrow gauge layout, and its two storage crates, I had now to find a home for it in my house. My well-engineered attic, which was floored on 8″x4″ beams on 15″ centres, seemed ideal. A single attempt at getting one of the storage crates up into the […]
Fitting adjustable table legs for exhibition use.
I had bought two 6ft x 2ft 6in folding tables to display my layouts on at exhibitions. At their first outing it was found that the exhibition floor had a slight gradient to it which meant some stock ran away if uncoupled. I therefore looked at a way to make the steel tube table legs […]
Maintenance trains at Beddgelert on the Welsh Highland Railway
On a very wet Friday 13th in November I went to Beddgelert station on the Welsh Highland Railway ho[ping to photograph a passing Garratt hauled train. My mistake was not to read the timetable thoroughly – there were no passenger trains running that day. I was fortunate though to catch three maintenance trains stopping at […]
Servo powered, DCC controlled, uncoupling ramps for 009 / H0e / H0m Bemo/REPA couplers
One of the problems with modelling in 009 / H0e / H0m / H0n30 is the lack of remote controlled decoupler systems at affordable prices. For those not wanting to exchange all their couplings for magnetic operated Greenwich etched brass couplings or Microtrains or Kadee couplers the alternatives are either the manual Peco SL-430 uncoupler […]
A cheap DIY model paint shaker
I bought an 12V vibration motor from China off of eBay, originally to see if it could help tamp down the loose ballast on my layout modules before fixing with glue. The motor, even on a 9V battery, vibrated the board so much that all the ballast soon was one stone thick in a layer […]
My modelling workshop
I have finally completed the construction and fitting of my new, and in fact first, dedicated modelling workshop. 7ft x 5ft was the maximum size allowed by SWMBO in our small back garden. I have to admit though that I nearly became a widower when, having spent about £1800 buying it, insulating it, cladding it, […]
Modelling Update – 009 shunter using Farish Class 14 chassis and Knightwing 0-4-0 diesel kit
Just a quick update. The Knightwing shunter has now received windows, handrails and nameplates by Narrow Planet. I named and numbered the loco in memory of my father who was born in ’23 and received the D.F.M. from King George VI on the morning of V.E. Day’ May 8th 1946. He died 20 years ago […]
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