Ruud’s been in touch with his German model railway:
“Hi Al,
I’m following the mails in your site already for some time now.
I don’t have much time, so progress is very very slow.
But thought still that I do have something to share.
First of all, I see many different layouts and each having its own purpose, depending on the priorities set by the builder. And that is good. Most important is that we love what we are doing and enjoy it.
I for me would like to make something that reflects the purpose of a real railway. You must have the idea that people are transported from one place to another and that goods are transported to the place where they are needed. One should not have the impression that trains are just running around, though they do of course.
Therefor I set for myself some rules.
One should not be able to see the train running back at the other side of the layout.
Platforms should at least be long enough to let the passengers of all carriages step out without braking their necks of legs. (My platforms are 2 meter, which allows for 7 or 8 carriages.)
The buildings should give the real impression of a city (in my case).
The number of tunnels in mountains should be kept to the absolute minimum. (Tunnels in real world are very expensive and made only if there is no way around it.)
My layout will be in 5 modules, which can be transported separately if needed.
Still working on the 1st module. That is showing a bit of the idea that I have in mind. But still far from finished. But I made a start ?
I have included a few pictures.
Regards,
Ruud (DRGbaan)”
“Alastair saw the post on the trains running for days. Attached are photos of my layout.
I have been following your site for a number of years and enjoy the comments and have built a large number of your buildings but too late for my layout.
Myself and another n scaler from our local club are building to work with the club’s HO layout.
Our module will have both scales on it with HO track on the top and a 3 foot x 12 foot.
One of the things I like about your site is you show work in progress. Here’s mine.
Thought you might like to see it because it’s made entirely from your new kit.
It’s not finished and nor will it ever will be because I’m just messing around.
If youre scratch building never make the mistake of just jumping in and expecting perfect results.
Start with a prototype, one that you use just to find your feet and get ideas.
I’ve been thinking about a fire station for some time so thought I’d have a go.
One thing about John’s videos is he seems to play with the prints and just have fun.
I think this is the way to do it so here’s my first attempt.
I’ll get finished pics to you when I do the thing for real. I just wanted to see if the ideas in my head would work.
Pleased with the way it turned out.
that’s the great thing about a prototype. It needs more shouty signs, i just printed them off in corel. There needs to be more ‘relief’ as John calls it on the doors. Some weathering will make all the difference. There’s lots I’ll change but pleased with it so far.
The doors haven’t worked out as well as I’d hoped. that’s the great thing about a prototype. Not sure how I’ll fix. I’ll probably use a different pattern from another kit but i wanted to see what I could do just with the latest one.
DId have fun and it got me thinking about what I can do in the final build.
I’m happy for anyone to comment on what I’ve done and how I can improve it.
Mike”
A huge thanks to Mike – absolutely love what he’s done – I think it’s a great start.
I do totally agree with him about John – he seems to play and have with fun with his builds.
And it looks like Mike has done the same with his prototype. It’s all from the latest kit too.
And then of course, there are the latest scratch kits:
It’s unoriginally called ‘Scratch build kit 2’, but look what you can build with it:
Here’s an example of the backdrops you can build.
And have a look at the town houses:
And there’s different brickwork prints too:
Side view:
But perhaps the best thing about Scratch build kit 2, is that Scratch build kit 1 comes completely free with it.
So you can use the brick prints from that and make lots more:
Best of all, I thought it was about time a did another silly sale to help keep the site going.
So the new Scratch build kit 2 is just $9.
And don’t forget, you get Scratch build kit 1 completely free too.
The good new doesn’t stop there though.
I thought the best way for people to start tinkering with trains and layouts is to bundle the Scratch build kits with the Beginner’s Guide.
So this means you get Scratch build kits 1 & 2, the Beginner’s Guide and all the free bonuses that come with the Beginner’s Guide – all for just $9.
Of course I’m biased but it really is a proper silly sale. Ridiculous value.
I know many of you have the Beginner’s Gude and you are only buying it for the prints – and that’s absolutely fine.
So, for a few days only, you get Scratch build kits 1 & 2, the Beginner’s Guide and all the free bonuses that come with the Beginner’s Guide – all for just $9.
Here’s what you can build with scratch build kit 1 (which comes free with Scratch build kit 2 – and all for just $9)
Here’s John with another video on how to make these buildings:
All the prints are HO scale. For N scale reduce the print size to 54%. For O scale increase by 143%.
The entire package – everything I’ve listed – is just $9.
In a nutshell you are getting $135 worth, for just $9.
I do get a real kick whem somebody tells me they’ve started their layout because of the blog or the Beginner’s Guide. It’s just as satisfying when somebody sends pics of the print out buildings too.
And when I get both – some of my print out buildings on a new layout – well, that just makes me smile from ear to ear.
So I thought this package really should give a gentle nudge to all those who have often thought about making that start, or just want to make some buildings.
It’s $135 worth for just $9. If that doesn’t get you started, I don’t know what will.
With so much to gain and nothing to lose, I’m really hoping you’ll take the plunge, whether it’s for the Beginner’s Guide, the new building prints, or all the other freebies.
And you really have nothing to lose – it’s a one time $9 payment that also comes with a 60 day, no quibble, money back guarantee.
So here are the new prints (I hope you like them).
Here’s John holding the prints and a building he’s made from them:
And here’s some more buildings John has made from the prints – have a look at the video below to see how he did it.
All these buildings are free with the Beginner’s Guide this weekend – and it’s just $9 too.
All of these buildings, and lots of others too, with the Beginner’s Guide for just $9.
Here’s a pic what you get in the new print collection:
As you’ve probably worked out, you’re only restricted by your imagination, you could make as many buildings as you like, to whatever design you like.
It’s a crazy deal and I hope you like it.
I know some of you who aleady have the Beginner’s Guide will buy it again just for the prints – and that’s absolutely fine.
But remember – today is the last day – then everything goes back to how it was.
So if you’d like to grab $135 worth of Guide and prints for just $9, grab it here, right now.
