2mm Rittersdorf

[jonte]

There’s nothing ragged about this embryonic project, Roger, which looks both neat and satisfactory especially to the eye of this observer

I’m envious of the ease with which this is coming together, such that it is obviously proving a pleasurable experience rather than a chore. Trusting to tried and tested techniques is key here I suspect, to say nothing of keeping things in proportion, and it is my humble opinion that there is a lesson here for we all.

Looking forward to more, Roger

Jon

 

[Roger Pound]

There’s nothing ragged about this embryonic project, Roger, which looks both neat and satisfactory especially to the eye of this observer

I’m envious of the ease with which this is coming together, such that it is obviously proving a pleasurable experience rather than a chore. Trusting to tried and tested techniques is key here I suspect, to say nothing of keeping things in proportion, and it is my humble opinion that there is a lesson here for we all.

Looking forward to more, Roger

Jon

Thank you Jon, you old flatterer.

Roger.

 

[Roger Pound]

Some further work has ensued since my last missive. Firstly, a modification was made after I realised that the lead from what will be a hidden track whilst seeming a good idea at the time, would not allow the configuration of even an industrial siding in the light of the intended scenic work. In addition the radius would have been far too tight so it was ruled out. The point, now removed, can be seen on the inner loop track in this picture of the initial track layout, below.

It has also obviated the likely difficulties that would have been encountered in the event of a derailment under the upper section - after all, none of us are perfect when it comes to running our trains and these things happen - usually by arrangement with Sod's Law. .

Working at my usual rate of a constipated snail, I have commenced the gradient section and got as far as the curved section leading to the second level. The initial part of the incline has track laid and is looking promising. So far, so good as a dear late friend was fond of saying. I have every hope that I will complete this section in a short time and then will provide some more pictures of my "make it up as you go along" system of construction. As a small point of interest, I am now mixing in flexi-track pieces with the Set-track units. I persist with the use of Set-track points to take advantage of their compactness in the very limited area on this type of mini-layout on a 1200mm x 600mm base.

My apologies for a rather dull post, but things have been a bit like that overall recently and it has reflected upon Stutzendorf. I hope to have a more upbeat report next time, so until then.........

Cheers,

Roger .

 

[jonte]

I think it was intended as a ‘catch ‘ point all along, Roger

If you think this is a dull post, Roger, you obviously haven’t seen mine

I think many modellers have to ‘adapt’ or modify their plans, Roger (or as you put it ‘make it up’), especially once Templot or some other assist makes you realise that it ‘just ain’t gonna work!’.

Keep it coming.

Jon

 

[Roger Pound]

It's been some considerable time since I put finger to keyboard - just think, it used to be pen to paper . - about my slow but intrepid pursuit of playing trains. (none of this rivet counting stuff for me....). As my eighty-eighth year inexorably plods on, my work rate becomes slower and slower. The Festive Season and New Year left little time for layout work so my little 4'x2' in N remained very static regarding progress due to my time being taken up both suffering and recovering from illness, ineptly running out of foamboard and other matters which have no place here. My daughters came to my rescue with a Christmas present of several A2 sheets of foamboard and the gaps in the final stage of the in incline are now in situ. The second level where the station and main rail facilities will be are now in place and currently the cork underlay sheeting - I just had enough spare bits left from the last layout building job - has been glued down awaiting the laying of the final track sections.

Amongst the time of the enforced 'lay-offs' outlined above, I did a bit of thinking and realised I could re-time my layout to cover epoches one and two, a period covering the nineteen twenties and up to about nineteen-thirty-five, give or take a yard. Following the initial nationalisation of the various German State Railway companies to form the DRG there was obviously much rolling stock that remained in original livery for some time before the DRG livdry and lettering was applied. There is quite a bit of photographic evidence of this in a Bellingrodt Album I have, and one only has to look back at the length of time some locos and stock remained unaltered as regards lettering and livery at the time of our own systems nationalisation in 1948. I may not be a rivet counter but I do like plausibility . A further happening, as you will have seen in the title of the thread, was a change of name. My original scheme had been planned more for Central Southern Germany and that idea hit the buffers when I opted for KPEV locos and stock. The original name remained but began to be one of those things that niggled me and I had to do something about it. Thus I came up with Rittersdorf which suits me better for many reasons and the niggle has been laid to rest.

The foregoing decision has led to the acquisition of two further packs of Fleischmann N gauge in DRG livery, nominally a Br56 freight set which will mirror the similar set I have in KPEV livery and a local passenger set with a Br62 Tank locomotive. I hope to find another loco and some further rolling stock for the later part of my sliding time scale, but things are available and by using an excellent supplier of top quality second hand material the cost is very economical.

Finally, an apology for the lack of pictures but my little base board currently resembles Steptoe's Yard and I am too ashamed to reveal the messy way in which I work. The completion of the track layout is the next move and actually in hand . When it is done and fit to see I promise pictures will appear - honest guv. Secondly, thank you for reading the above ramble which is my further apology for not keeping up !!!! Like my old school reports - "Must try harder..!"


See you all again soon, fair weather and a following wind permitting,

Roger

 

[jonte]

Delighted to read of progress, Roger, despite the rigours of life. To me a change of period, location or whatever is all part of the process, and better than abandonment for any particular reason.

And of course, if something irks, an experience seemingly all too frequent at Thornton shed , well it just has to go!

My interest is always piqued by mention of foamboard baseboards. I recall reading about initially several years ago in the Modeller, when it was referred to as kappa board. I think it’s one and the same. It seems pretty sturdy considering it’s ‘lightness’, so eager to see how your’s fares too.

Btw: I’m told that a ‘busy’ workbench is not the sign of an untidy mind but knowing everything’s to hand

Keep us posted.

Best.

Jon

 

[Roger Pound]

Btw: I’m told that a ‘busy’ workbench is not the sign of an untidy mind but knowing everything’s to hand
Jon

I just wondered if any of you gentlemen share the frequent experience that I have. That is putting an item in use down whilst adjusting the job upon which you are using it and then, when you go to pick it up to continue, find it has mysteriously 'walked'! The said 'missing' items always turn up later when you are looking for something else.........!

Or is it just me and senility has truly set in? Answers on a postcard please.

Roger

 

[jonte]

Post card sent.

Jon

 

[ceejaydee]

I was gonna send a postcard but I've just put the damn thing down...... now where is it?

 

[Joe's Garage]

I know that feeling Roger and it is worse when you have too much going on!
Nice to hear from you.
All the best
Julian

PS I tried a post card but it didn't fit in the phone

 

[Roger Pound]

Just a brief note to say that the final track laying at Rittersdorf station had been held up awaiting delivery of parts. These have arrived this very day and work has recommenced including some much needed tidying of the site. Still in a state of very slow and early progress but we are going in the right direction (I think....... !) to achieve the ultimate aim.

Thanks for your patience,

Roger.

 

[Roger Pound]

Ar Last! Here are a couple of pictures to show the completion of track laying (at long last ) after many weeks of frustration and all manner of delays. These offerings show both ends of the upper section and the sundry tools, adhesives and other kit (Junk?). Eventually I may well excel myself and get some better pictures but I have also had a fight with my lap-top to load these pictures. It seems to want me to do it a different way each time and it is just a matter of beating it at it's own game............ However, it has not helped by the fact that it has delayed me twenty-four hours in publishing these to efforts. The machine would have appeared to have qualified itself in Advanced Sod's Law...... However, the pictures :-

This shows the yard end of Rittersdorf. Point motors and buffer stops remain to be added as does the loco shed. One can also see the storage sidings below and the point (with motor fitted) to the parallel road below. All very much work in progress.




This picture shows the arrival line to Rittersdorf Bf. This is a modified Faller kit of Reichenbach Bf which is supplied with a curved platform face to suit R1 curves. As can be seen this was not suitable for it's intended site and the straight face was grafted on instead. More work is required to detail the unit, which is shown to give an idea of how things will be as I move further on. Once again the lower level is visible showing the other end of the loop.

So there you have it. Life at Rittersdorf to date. There is quite obviously a vast amout of work awaiting me to get anywhere near completion with my own little part of somewhere in Prussia........ It all comes down to the relative time factor. Thinking practically on this point certain things became glaringly obvious resulting in my making the following decision. Due to several continuing difficulties, not least on the health front, I regret that I have found it increasingly difficult to maintain this thread with news of any regular progressive modelling. Thus I have decided that I will not be posting further reports on this or an other project. May I thank all of you who have stuck with me with this one - your 'likes' have been a source of encouragement. I hope to have brought some encouragement and even amusement to other people who, like me, just play trains . I shall continue to browse through WT as and when - there are so many interesting things going on here

All the best and Happy Modelling to you all,

Roger.

 

[jonte]

Ar Last! Here are a couple of pictures to show the completion of track laying (at long last ) after many weeks of frustration and all manner of delays. These offerings show both ends of the upper section and the sundry tools, adhesives and other kit (Junk?). Eventually I may well excel myself and get some better pictures but I have also had a fight with my lap-top to load these pictures. It seems to want me to do it a different way each time and it is just a matter of beating it at it's own game............ However, it has not helped by the fact that it has delayed me twenty-four hours in publishing these to efforts. The machine would have appeared to have qualified itself in Advanced Sod's Law...... However, the pictures :-

This shows the yard end of Rittersdorf. Point motors and buffer stops remain to be added as does the loco shed. One can also see the storage sidings below and the point (with motor fitted) to the parallel road below. All very much work in progress.
View attachment 258043

View attachment 258044

This picture shows the arrival line to Rittersdorf Bf. This is a modified Faller kit of Reichenbach Bf which is supplied with a curved platform face to suit R1 curves. As can be seen this was not suitable for it's intended site and the straight face was grafted on instead. More work is required to detail the unit, which is shown to give an idea of how things will be as I move further on. Once again the lower level is visible showing the other end of the loop.

So there you have it. Life at Rittersdorf to date. There is quite obviously a vast amout of work awaiting me to get anywhere near completion with my own little part of somewhere in Prussia........ It all comes down to the relative time factor. Thinking practically on this point certain things became glaringly obvious resulting in my making the following decision. Due to several continuing difficulties, not least on the health front, I regret that I have found it increasingly difficult to maintain this thread with news of any regular progressive modelling. Thus I have decided that I will not be posting further reports on this or an other project. May I thank all of you who have stuck with me with this one - your 'likes' have been a source of encouragement. I hope to have brought some encouragement and even amusement to other people who, like me, just play trains . I shall continue to browse through WT as and when - there are so many interesting things going on here

All the best and Happy Modelling to you all,

Roger.

Ah, that’s a great shame, Roger, as the arrangement of trackwork looks interesting. Great work too! Commendable.

We don’t seem to see many two-tier layouts these days which seems a great way of utilising space when it’s at a minimum (please feel free to replace with the term ‘manageable’ ). It would also appear a great solution to increasing restrictions as we age, as you mention,and provides a realistic option to having to drop the hobby altogether.

Perhaps I can ‘encourage’ you to reconsider, however your ultimate decision is respected, my friend.

‘At the end of the day’, Roger, as the saying goes, don’t all railway modellers simply play trains? (apart from me, of course, as mine doesn’t have track; or wires; or scenery; or……………..).

Jon

 

[Joe's Garage]

As Jon says in the above post it is a shame but I am sure you will keep busy reading others' adventures on this forum. I for one have not done much in the way of playing trains due to other things but I still dream......one day.
Thank you for your posts and all the best.
Julian

 

[Virgil Wedge]

Hello Roger,
I have just “skim read” this page as my interest was piqued by your mention of KPEV! That is my favourite German railway although I follow it in H0 scale. I really hope that I can still be modelling and enjoying train at the age 88, well done, Sir!
I am slightly sad that you won’t post any further updates but I can certainly appreciate your reasoning. Hopefully, you can play trains for a good while longer though. Chapeau!
Virgil.

 

[ceejaydee]

I understand and respect your sentiments Roger but I'm sure many of us would welcome any updates on your activities no matter how sporadic or whatever the length of time between them.
Best Wishes
Christopher

 

[Roger Pound]

Thank you for you very kind words above, Jon, Julian, Virgil and Christopher - as a compromise, if and when I have something decent completed with Rittersdorf, I will fight this self-willed lap top of mine once again and endeavour to put up a picture or two. Live in hopes, gentlemen and my gratitude to you all once more.

Roger.

 

[Roger Pound]

This is just notice of the next move at Rittersdorf. As is well known to many members of this parish, layout wiring is not my favourite pastime, closely followed by ballasting. One has to do these things, particularly wiring if one wants to get things running. Whilst surveying the upper level's track now laid - illustrated on #32 - it occurred to me that I was looking some real graft in feeding wires to point motors. OMG - six point motors plus power feeds - ! So, in true fashion as behoves a retired member of the 5th Mounted Standbacks, I looked for an easier answer - or to put it more honestly, a way out. The light bulb moment came remarkably quickly - I remembered I still had some 'Gem' tube and wire bits kicking around which would be ideal. It will mean lifting and relaying the points, but that is something I can handle without a problem and work is schedued for early commencement. Wire and tube has been a reliable method I have used from some time on and off, and will be less conspicuous that the intended surface mounted motors. To be fair, these point motors are excellent neat machines and easily installed but in the confined area of the second level, wire and tube is the one to go for, . The lower level points which will be motorised are three. Two can be seen in the pictures and the third is at the other side of the continuous run where the line to the station leads off. Not too difficult to sort out and I reckon I can just about manage the power feeds required on the upper level without losing my equilibrium - one lives forever in hope!

There we are gents - keeping you in the loop and thanks again for your recent very kind words, 'likes' and interest. Hopefully this next bit will not take too long and I can get some pictures done.

Roger .

 

[jonte]

Classic solution, Roger

Jon

 

[Roger Pound]

Hello fellow Thunderers - I'm back after a six-week enforced absence due to being laid flat - not just low - by a nasty bout of food poisoning. TBH I thought The Grim Reaper was at the door, ! However, apparently my number has yet to come up .

It has meant all work on the model railway front stopped and has remained at a standstill as I am currently unable to cope with the physical requirements to manhandle the Rittersdorf board to fix up the wiring and other odds and sundries. Fitness is returning, but like most things at my age, very slowly so Rittersdorf does have a future. In the meantime, thanks to family help, I have a little project that I can manage in hand and once there is something to write about and hopefully show I will do so. Unfortunately the terms 'weak' and 'kitten' are, in my case, very appropriate so my efforts remain very limited.

Please be patient and I have every hope that personal improvement will result in something being available for discussion soon. It will be N gauge of course, and DRG prototype. The stock is to hand, the enthusiasm is there - the rest I hope will follow........

See you soon,
Roger