The Internet.....

I've been thinking about the many ways in which the internet, and in particular, the World Wide Webb (thank you Mr Berner) has made modelling so much easier.

In the old days the only real source of information was books, and magazines, or going to the place and seeing with your own eyes. The amount of information I have collected over the past 12 months about the Vietnamese rail system would have taken me years BI (before internet).

A case in point. Level crossing gates. Over the past few weeks I have been able to collect a number of images of verious types of level crossing protection to help me protect my own level crossing on my module. Some photos are stills and some are captures from video. From these I have been able to design and produce two types of flashing light protection as well as the gates themselves. When I get a chance, they'll be going onto the module. they will help the module look 'Vietnamese'.

For me the Vietnam Railways Forum has been a life saver. The members are happy to share their knowledge. Despite being for most part in Vietnamese language, the judicious use of Google 'translate' allows non Vietnamese speakers to enjoy the 'flavour' of DSVN though some of the translation are quite puzzling. For example why are there constant references to 'doctors'?

The combination of all these resources has made it possible for me to work towards the completion of my VNR module. The actual visits I have made to view the system are therefore 'icing on the cake'.

When I return to VN for my third visit in March next year, I will be armed with all the knowledge I have gleaned from the internet and so will be able to focus on my information needs as a modeller, as well as just enjoy the scenery and the people.