3000 HP join the fleet: BR232 "Ludmilla" in Railion livery

Diesellokomotive BR 232 "Railion" DB. Epoche V.
Das Modell:

• Länge über Puffer: 130 mm.
• Mindesradius: 192 mm.
• Anzahl der Räder mit Haftreifen: 4.
• Dreilichtspitzensignal in Fahrtrichtung wechselnd.
• Keine Kurzkupplungskinematik.
• Digitale Schnittstelle mit Lötpunkten.
 

• http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DR-Baureihe_130#Baureihe_233

 History of BR 232.675 (Source: br232):

_.__.1981	Auslieferung an DR - Deutsche Reichsbahn "132 675-0"
05.08.1981	Abnahme
01.01.1992	Umzeichnung in "232 675-9"
01.01.1994	=> DB AG - Deutsche Bahn AG, GB Traktion "232 675-9"
01.01.1998	=> DB AG - Deutsche Bahn AG, GB Ladungsverkehr "232 675-9"
01.07.1999	=> DB Cargo AG "232 675-9"
01.09.2003	=> Railion Deutschland AG "232 675-9"
01.01.2007	Vergabe der NVR-Nummer "92 80 1232 675-9 D-DB"
16.02.2009	=> DB Schenker Rail Deutschland AG "232 675-9"
01.03.2013	z-Stellung
14.07.2013	im Bw Halle (Saale) G abgestellt vh

Inspiration: Thompson River Canyon

This is how N scale works best: long trains running through an impressive landscape.
Thompson River Canyon is a realistic N scale model railroad layout that highlights the rugged mountain regions the Canadian National trains pass through. Filmed at the 2009 Caulfield AMRA exhibition. Source: poath.tv

New hinged container freight cars

Three sets of hinged Sggmrs 714/715 container cars were added to the fleet (Fleischmann catalog numbers 825304, 825310, 825315). With 6 axles and a length of 218 mm these are impressive freight cars. A test review can be found on the Dutch N-Spoorforum.

The 6-axle hinged container wagon is designed for the transport of containers and swap bodies in integrated train sets.
There is a crossing in the middle of wagon at the hinge. The wagon is corresponding to the UIC regulations in view of crossing to ferryboat, with it can roll the ferryboat ramp angle to 1°30‘ by curve radius 120 m.
It can roll in any load condition on the railway siding with the curve radius min. 75 m.
The wagon suits for 120 km/h and can operate with the max. axle load 22,5 t. The maximum axle load in regime s- and ss- follows the condotions of the relevant railway net, that it rolls on.
The wagon enables the transport of homogenous or mixed load configuration on the whole length of wagon:
a) without crossing the international moving dimensions – large containers of the length 20‘, 30‘, 40‘ and 45‘ and the height 8‘
b) Swap tanks type 1,2,3,3a and 4 to the max. length 13,6 m.
c) Swap bodies with the destination code C.

Prototype image and description from legios.eu.

ACTS Class 66 joins the fleet

The first purchase of a new locomotive in decades is a fact: one of my favorite Diesel locomotives, an EMD Class 66. The N scale model is from Kato in ACTS livery. Finally some proper power for container and coal trains.

Prototype image of ACTS Class 66 MCRE 513-9 at Amsterdam CS on 15 september 2007. Source: wikipedia.org

The Class 66 (or JT42CWR) is a series of CoCo six axle diesel locomotives built by EMD for the European heavy freight market. Originally designed for use in Great Britain as the Class 66, a development of the Class 59, they have since been adapted and certified for use in other European countries. Outside Europe, 40 locomotives have been sold to Egyptian Railways for passenger operation.

ACTS Class 66 MRCE 513-9 in Crailoo. Source: own

Source and more information of the prototype on:  wikipedia.org

A review of the model from Kato can be found here (in Dutch).

My ACTS Class 66 on the multi-purpose layout.

Introduction: humble beginnings

It had to happen one day. Just a week or two ago my son (3) discovered the "magic white box" that has not seen daylight for years. The box contains my youth sins; read: my N scale rolling stock. Or at least the material that had survived more than a dozen removals to various cities and countries. It was like birthday, Christmas and Easter in one for him and my daughter (5).

I had to do something with their "let the trains run" shouts. Quickly I built a circle with the only available tracks. Ideas emerged for a proper layout and many thoughts on how to combine all wishes: a sturdy "play" layout for the kids, a properly detailed section for me, all fitting in the available space.

All this turned into the following concept:

• 3-in-1 concept: a module that can be used as a test layout, storage and switching yard and "kids playground";
• The possibility to extend with properly detailed and scenicked N modules.

Starting with the test layout/fiddle yard would allow me to practice long forgotten skills and to allow the kids to quickly run some trains.

I start this blog at a way too early stage as I don't know the theme or period for the extensions yet. So bear with me as you will see standard tracks on a basic wooden frame for a while...

The "magic white box" and a quickly installed oval with the only available track material...