New Orders

Now that all the track had to be changed, I made a new order to LokShop, with a few track items for initial tests. Among them were: the replacement switch for the old PIKO ones, Tillig 85323, the corresponding motor drive 86112, the roadbed specifically designed for this switch 86513. Since the 2 possible radiuses of the PIKO sectional track I had (380 mm and 440 mm) were nowhere to be found, I opted to go for flex-track. This is a special type of track that can be bent in the required shape, so one could create the desired radiuses around a layout. This also means that the model track can resemble its real-life conterpart more closely: real railroads use easements to go from straight track to curved track, something that is not so easy done with sectional pieces of track. The standard piece of Tillig flex track is 890mm long, and 3 pieces were ordered. I also got one piece of roadbed for the flex track. Tillig manufactures 2 types of ballast: a dark one and a grey one. And since all the products so far were based on the dark type, I also got a medium piece of grey ballast, to see how this would look. I added a couple of connectors and electric feeders for the new track, and also ordered the Lenz USB interface, and a new Silver decoder, to be fitted on an existing loco.

In the meantime I revised the plan of the layout, and decided how long the new tunnel would be - almost half of its initial size. And for catenary I decided I would use something discovered back when I was looking at the Viessmann products - a tunnel catenary kit. Inside you get a couple of masts, and some special metallic band that serves as the contact wire. Only problem with the masts is that they are bit taller than my designed clearence - so they'll need to be somehow hid under the terrain. I also found a couple of accesories for the catenary system (a height template and an auxilliary tool for setting up masts in curves) and made a new order with LokShop.

Looking around model railroading forums, I found that most of the pros in the hobby would paint the ties of new railroad track, to remove the plastic shiny look, and some would go as far as detail every separate tie individually, for increased realism. I decided to "break" the layout into sections that could be worked upon individually. And for the section just next to the tunnel, I decided for some retaining wall. The problem with most of the building sets, as well as tunnel portals/walls is that weathering needs to be applied, because out of the box, they don't look very good. But for weathering, the forums mentioned on and on the use of the airbrush - this is a small device that sprays paint in thin coats, allowing for remarkable effects - and various powder chalks, to simulate the aging. So yet another order went to LokShop, for 2 powder kits (one from Noch and one from Woodland Scenics), a fixing solution from Noch, and a retaining wall, also by Noch. Since tests with the curved Tillig track and roadbed showed that after installing the track, there were still places underneath the rail where there was a shortage of ballast, I added a box of dark Tillig ballast to the order.

I then turned to the airbrush, and started researching what was needed for this new tool.Besides the actual airbrush, a good source of compressed air was required. Small cans were available on the market, but as forums were against it - because of quickly mounting costs, I opted for an air compressor. This have the advantage that they produce constant pressure, and usually come fitted with a regulator and a water-trap, that keeps water out of the exposed blast of air. The compressor was a no-name, at about 90 EUR, and the airbrush chosen was a double-action one, a Paasche MVL, at 130 EUR.The double action airbrush has the advantage of being able to control the amount of paint that gets sprayed, something that on single-action ones is not possible. The decision was to buy an airbrush that was a bit expensive, but hopefully superior in quality, than to go with a cheap one and just waste my time, taking into account I had no experience with this type of tool so far.

As 3 weeks went by from the initial LokShop order, and since the Lenz USB interface was the only item that didn't make it in their stock, holding the entire order, I emailed them for details. And since they had no idea of the cause of the delay, I emailed Lenz, that previously provided very helpful when I was inquiring about the LZV station and the BR66 loco. The reply was that a part used for manufacturing the USB interface is currently not in stock, but production is expected to be resumed in 2-3 weeks. And since it was already mid-May, I chose to have the order delivered without the interface, and also without the Woodland Scenics weathering powder, that also didn't make it in their stock. In all, it's just under 180 EUR - for the track pieces, the tunnel kit and the Noch products.

The DHL tracking looks promising, and hopefully tommorow I'll be able to pick up the products. A small note about buying directly from dealers in Germany - it usually costs less, including the transport costs than to get the products at a local dealer, that usually has only a few items in stock.

Update: The Noch fixing solution came in a can, so the whole shipment was refused on the airport in Germany, and got sent back to LokShop. They re-send it again, and hopefully this week it will be delivered.