Planning a Layout

I mentioned in my last blog that I plan to build a 'diorama' type layout to display any models I build. I'll use this blog to provide a little more information about my plans.

The diorama is being built on a board 4 ft x 2 ft (1200mm x 600mm), N scale of course. The intention is to use the 'stage' type of arrangement where the layout is viewed through a frame which makes it look like it's on a theatre stage. This then accentuates the idea that things are happening 'off stage' as well as the activities you can actually see.

The layout depicts a small workshop/locomotive shed, somewhere in the Hanoi area. There is a single track main line towards the back of the layout, which will see trains 'passing through'. Trains will enter the work shop area from behind several buildings. This style of layout is quite popular at the moment. For more information on this and other 'micro' layouts visit The Micro layouts site at http://carendt.com

The back scene will be a combination of photos of buildings and actual model buildings with little more than the front wall actually constructed. There will be a level crossing (there seem to be very few road bridges crossing VNR tracks)and hopefully I can squeeze in one of those Petrolimex petrol stations, and lots and lots of motorbikes and bicycles. Anyone know how to make a cyclo in N scale?

At this stage I've given it the name 'Doi Moi', the legend that appears on most of the D19E class locomotives, and which according to my Vietnamese dictionary means innovation or new way. Whether that's the name of the non existent town, or whether it's the name of the layout I'll leave up to you.

The trains will be assembled off layout possibly using some sort of cassette system (not decided yet). I will need a fiddle yard on both sides to allow trains on the main line to enter and leave. An alternative ( and probably easier) would be to have a circle of track running around behind the layout with a fiddle yard. Decisions, decisions...

I have laid all the cork underlay for the track and have laid some track. I hope to have the rest finished tomorrow (I've got the day off). Hopefully I can put some images up on my website.

When I've finished this module I plan to have a go at a second module depicting a more 'rural' scene. Any ideas on how to depict rice paddies gratefully received.

BTW: I got hold of some additional photos of DSVN freight vehicles and I discovered a slight error in my DSVN gondola, basically with the doors on the sides. I need to make the doors go right to the top rather than have them under a continuous side. This will mean a slight delay in completion but nothing major. I'll have a go at that tomorrow too and I'm hoping a can put photos of the wagon in it's final red colour scheme up on the website as well. I'm still not sure how I'm going to letter the wagon, there being no commercially available decals, particularly as in most of the images I have a lot of the lettering is a bit 'fuzzy'.

Where do we go to from here.....

You might be aware that I am attempting to model aspects of the trains and railways of Vietnam.

I'm currently close to completing my first 'kitbash' of a DSVN gondola (open wagon) and have the plans to build a D5H and/or D13E class diesel locomotive. I have suitable chassis for both. One is a LifeLike SW9 for the DH5 and the other, an Atlas RSC4/5 for the D13E. As well I have a couple of US coaches that I plan to us as the basis for two of those green 'Chinese' coaches that DSVN still uses. Unfortunately my diorama hasn't advanced very much with track laying still to be completed.

All this is in 1:150 'Japanese' N scale. By using 1:150 I can use chassis which were made for the bigger US locomotives.

I realise that N gauge 9 mm track is wider than the metre gauge of most tracks in VN, and that I should be using 6.5 mm Z scale track, but that's the track I've got and it means I can use reasonably priced N scale chassis rather than the extremely expensive Z scale ones (if you can find them). Many Japanese railways are of course 3 ft 6 inch gauge and they use 9 mm track.

My primary modelling interest is modern Australian railways in N scale (1:160) and I have a layout to complete for that prototype as well. Not to mention that I collect Australian outline HO scale diesels as well, so there's not a lot of money to spend on the VN models. So scratch building and kitbashing appear to be the way to go.

There aren't any DSVN models to buy anyway, apart from the models of the German BR52 steam locomotives (TE class) which made it to VN but never ran anyway. A$450.00 is a lot of money to pay for a model that will just sit rusting on a siding somewhere!

I've also hunted out a couple of flat car kits in my shed which will pass as container wagons with a coat of light blue paint and a container on each.

My Kato Japanese boxcar is still as it was when I bought it, but I plan to attack it soon. Basically I'll file the details of the side and replace them with more Vietnamese style ones. Again it won't be a exact scale model but it should look OK. I still have plans to scratchbuild one of those green DSVN boxcars with the yellow stripes on the side. I'm in the process of creating some drawings, based on measurements from photos.

Until next time....

Welcome

Welcome to my Modelling the Railways of Vietnam Blog. This blog is intended to complement my Modelling the Railways of Vietnam website which has been in existence since the beginning of this year.

I am still at a very early stage in my adventures, sort of just left the base camp, but I am progressing.

I will be adding my thoughts and ideas at regular intervals and I hope others will contribute as well.

I still get the impression that I'm the only person in the world taking modelling the railways of Vietnam seriously. If I'm not please let me know.