Sort of club for Dutch/German/Belgian members?

[Martijn Meerts]

I was wondering.. By now we have quite a few Dutch people, and some Germans (no Belgians I believe?), that it would be possible to start some small club. Would there be any interest at all from people?

 

It wouldn't be like most clubs that get together once a week or something, but more a club that could get together at various shows/exhibitions and show off a Japanese modular layout. I know there's been some talk about possibly doing this, and there's already a module standard for Japanese N-scale (http://raicho.home.xs4all.nl/layouts/jmodule/jmodule.htm), so it would definitely be doable. The J-Module standard is designed for regular DC, so everyone can join in. It would also be possible to do an extension to the standard for DCC modules, or even scale it up for some H0 action.

 

Personally, I'd like to see a somewhat regular showing of Japanese stuff at shows around here, rather than the bog standard and all too common Dutch, German and Swiss layouts ;) I'm planning on attending shows eventually with my own stuff, but it would of course be a lot more fun to do it with a bunch of like minded people.

 

(Of course, people outside the mentioned countries would be welcome to join as well ;))

[ToniBabelony]

IMO that's a very good idea. I've been playing with it a well myself. I think if there are four corner modules, everyone can join in with their straight parts.

 

The J-Module project was something from a few years back. Those horrible old drawings on the website you mention are mine and I worked a bit along with setting up J-Module standards. I think I even have some sketches for potential modules laying around in my archive. Also, meeting up with other members would be an awesome idea, so we can exchange ideas and have a beer together.

 

You can count me in! I'm kinda eager to make a small project again... A module would be ideal, since I have plans to move to Japan in a year, plus my houses and things are just laying around in boxes collecting dust.

[Martijn Meerts]

Toni, I know the drawings are yours (it says so on the site :)) and the link I got from an earlier post about pretty much the same subject :)

 

We'd probably need at least 3 or 4 people to make it interesting enough to go to shows. Some people will likely build multiple modules so even with 3 or 4 you should get a nice layout. Obviously, the more, the merrier :)

 

If nothing else, we could start doing some track planning, see what's possible and what's not possible. I guess some modules need to be somewhat more custom, things like a storage yard would be hard to fit into the specifications.

 

Hopefully we can get a couple of people to at least meet up somewhere, grab some sushi and sake, and just discuss things a bit :)

[ToniBabelony]

Yeah, those pictures... They were before the introduction of good model train planning software, so it's all a quick sketch. I could do nicer isometric drawings if this project is getting off the ground a bit more.

 

I think having corner modules and a yard would be essential at the least. IIRC Heiko Stolk from JapanModelRailways had a few J-Modules. Maybe we should contact him and see if he has interest. He also has experience in participating on exhibitions and such, plus we would be a good publication for him as well.

[disturbman]

Tempting but you are just way to far away from me. Shouldn't you also look at recruiting Frenchies? Northern France is not that far away...

[Martijn Meerts]

Toni, not sure if Heiko is building Japanese stuff, he seems more into modeling UK He said modeling Japan is too easy for him because if he needs something he can just grab it from the store =) He might still be interested though, if nothing we could put up the layout at his stand at exhibitions/shows.

 

 

Vincent, you're not too far away at all =) If there's an exhibition close to Berlin for example it would be very doable to go there and put up a layout. I don't mind traveling to Berlin by train, I just wouldn't be able to bring any modules :)

 

And yes, of course Frenchies are welcome, as is everyone else who'd want to drop by :)

[ToniBabelony]

Toni, not sure if Heiko is building Japanese stuff, he seems more into modeling UK He said modeling Japan is too easy for him because if he needs something he can just grab it from the store =) He might still be interested though, if nothing we could put up the layout at his stand at exhibitions/shows.

 

Well, I'm also not sure if he still has 'em though, since I've ran around my late GM Odakyu 1000 Series on them once on Eurospoor in Utrecht. That was however about 8 years ago. He could have them laying around somewhere still, but yeah, you never know...

[Martijn Meerts]

I'll let him borrow my 1/24 C62-2 when he goes to shows in return for joining up =)

[Darklighter]

Tempting indeed, but I don't know where I will be living in a year (after finishing my dissertation)...

 

Furthermore, keep in mind that there is already a German club (http://forum.ig-nippon.org).

[Kamiyacho]

(no Belgians I believe?)

 

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but at my house in Antwerp I have begun a small bog standard and all too common German/Swiss layout....... in Z scale.  It gives me a break from the Japanese N layout in the US. 

[Martijn Meerts]

Darklighter, I know, I still have to visit one of their meetings at some point. Something always seems to get in the way though ;)

 

I'm not sure if IG-Nippon does a modular layout for exhibitions or something like that, where members can build the modules at home? If that's the case, either a sister club could be an option, where the Dutchies take their modules to Dutch exhibitions, and the Germans take their modules to German exhibitions, but at a large exhibition once or twice a year or something, the whole lot could get together and make set up 1 larger layout.

 

The main thing is just to get more people together and get Japanese layouts on multiple exhibitions.

[Martijn Meerts]

Curt, you already have a real nice Japanese layout though, so you're excused :)

[Serow]

Hello the group,

 

I read parts of this forum for several month but without real need to register... until now. Just to reply. I am a Belgian who is modeling H0-H0m belgian prototype but also Japanese 1/150 interuban style and some 1/50 steam engine.

 

I have a micro layout in my office and a modular (3 modules) 5 meter long layout for exhibitons. Unfortunately I can not attend as much exhibitions as I would because I must rent a van to transport the layout.

 

You can have a look on my website www.train-tram.be/model but pictures are not always the best and not up to date. A next foto shooting in forseen.

 

So If ou have in mind of make a japanese corner in a good exhibition, I will be happy to join.

 

Eric

-----

www.train-tram.be

www.asvi.be

[Martijn Meerts]

Eric, welcome to the forum =)

 

You've got some nice layouts. The H0 scale one looks fabulous, and an all Belgian layout isn't very common either :)

[ToniBabelony]

Bonjour Eric,

 

Welcome to the forums. It's good to see you here, since you've also been quite some time around in the Japanese model train scene, if I remember correctly. Your layouts have always been an inspiration, especially your layout Tennoji, which is a good example of interpreting Japanese interurbans. Very cool indeed!

[Bernard]

Eric - Welcome to the forum and your website is quite impressive. How large is it?

[Mr Frosty]

 

(Of course, people outside the mentioned countries would be welcome to join as well ;))

 

 

Will there be stroopwafels?

[Martijn Meerts]

Stroopwafels can be arranged yes :)

[Bernard]

Stroopwafels can be arranged yes :)

What is a Stroopwafel?

[Martijn Meerts]

Seems they're popular enough to have an English wiki page :)

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroopwafel

[disturbman]

I like the taste jump this article is is relating: "a stroopwaffel  is a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. They were first made with Gouda." Here my brain stops and explodes...

[disturbman]

Sorry, I read what I wanted... "the first were made in Gouda". It was also strange to have a syrup waffle with Gouda filling. 

[Mr Frosty]

Stroopwafels can be arranged yes :)

What is a Stroopwafel?

 

Pure addiction of caramel goodness. 

[Serow]

Bonjour Eric,

 

Welcome to the forums. It's good to see you here, since you've also been quite some time around in the Japanese model train scene, if I remember correctly. Your layouts have always been an inspiration, especially your layout Tennoji, which is a good example of interpreting Japanese interurbans. Very cool indeed!

 

Thank you for your comments (not only yours, but all of you). I don't know if I am an old japanese modeller, but if you want to know, I was in Japan for the first time in 1993 and started my first japanese layout (never finished) in 1998. The first module of the old Tennoji was born in 1999. After that, the story was going on. Second module in 2002 and third in 2003. Farewell to the old layout in 2009 and rebuilding of module 1 and 2 in 2010. Just in time for the TMM exhibition in Mechelen in 10-2010.

 

The micro layout is a different story. I had a free space in my office and wanted to fill it with something unusual (for me). I planned modeling the Kiso logging RR, but old Joe Works rollingstock run too bad, and must stay only in display. After comming back from Japan with some new Tomytec and with no space on Tennoji, I decided to make a rural tram only micro layout. Curve on this layout don't allow cars over 15M. For the moment, I only have to solder overhead wire in the station. Maybe I'll do this as a workshop next w-e in a small exhibition in PFT Museum in Saint-Ghislain. In the same time, why not taking good foto for the website.

 

I passed 2009-20010 winter working on my father's Swiss layout. He already made basement, track laying, half of electricity, base for landscape and half of the overhead wire's mast. I did the rest. Electricity was not a problem, Landscape was quite simple, but overhead wire is a scarry job. 30m hand made soldered with 0,2mm brass wire.

 

The Belgian layout is a 10 years story. Not finished and with lot idea in stock. Rebuilding half of the village, new DCC devices, building new rolling stock. Not easy but a nice adventure.

 

I passed the evening to renew part of the website. Some new pictures found back in my HDD and all picture now at least in 640px. I drawed a new track plan showing new develppements on the tram line. The plan now show the main dimensions of the layout. Still on the same adress www.train-tram.be/model , if ou want visit my japanese foto album, it's www.train-tram.be/japon

 

Thank you for reading this too long and too late post. Now, going to sleep...

[Martijn Meerts]

Maybe we should try and give a few J-Module track plans a go. Would at least be interesting to see what we could theoretically build :)

 

 

Toni, do you think the original "inventors" of J-Module might be interested in refreshing it? (maybe set up a dedicated homepage for it, revising the PDFs where needed, drawing up sample modules/trackplans and such) I don't know if any of them still actively wants to build J-Modules or something, but it would be nice to get them along.

 

 

As for this whole club idea.. It's not an official club with a clubhouse, membership fees and expected attendance, but more a way of allowing people to have a Japanese layout at an exhibition, without having to do it all solo. All modules built will of course remain yours and you won't be expected to show up on all exhibitions or anything like that. I guess a few modules should "belong" to the "club", so that when a few people decide to go to an exhibition, there's at least enough modules always available to have a full layout. The "club owned" modules would preferably be stored with someone who has the ability to easily transport them. (I could easily store them for example, but I have no driver's license, so transporting them would mean I'd need to acquire the services of a personal chauffeur ;))