3D printers
As curious as I was in 3D printing (I really had no idea what it was all about) I started with a special deal on Amazon and purchased a little cute printer. Easy to use no skills needed. I learned a lot with
IP Camera monitoring
In order to monitor my hidden tracks underneath the layout, both the staging yards and hidden areas where derailments could possibly occur, I have purchased TP-Link IP cameras to keep a watchful eye. I wanted a Windows computer-based software app, vs an Android
New trains 2023, vacation in the Netherlands
In the summer of 2023 two of my daughters and I were on vacation in the Netherlands to visit my mom. Of course, we went to Amersfoort to do some general souvenir (vacation memories) shopping, and I could not resist to stop by
New trains 2025, vacation in the Netherlands
In the first two weeks of January 2025, I was in the Netherlands to finish taking care of my mom’s belongings and legal paperwork’s, related to her passing away and funeral earlier in December 2024. Although it was not a vacation as usual,
Water damaged my house and home studio
While coming back from two weeks’ vacation in the Netherlands, I found my house damaged by a water leak that started after the Richmond city water treatment facility was out of service, causing a lot of residents in Richmond, Henrico, Hannover and Chesterfield
Desktop PC project
This project is an attempt to restore two old desktop computers needed to run the digital layout. I modified these computers sometime in 2005, I think. They were working fine at the time before I packed them up and placed in storage. Running
Tilly Models
The kits of Tilly models are different from the average kits of Kibri, Pola, Faller and Volmer, for example, instead of colored plastic parts, the Tilly model kits consist of cast resin, the same material as Artitec uses in their kits. Working with
Control center
This bedroom closet is going to be turned into my control center and bookcase. It is only 2 feet (66 centimeter) deep, but big enough to mount all the electronic components needed to control the layout, both digital and analog, at the right
Train room
In October 2024 I picked up on my train hobby again by starting yet my next layout. Hopefully this time it will be my final layout, and I could build it to completion. Unlike my last layout that was in a room about
Curved wall
In the left corner of my layout, I build a curved corner with a 33-centimeter (12 inch) radius. By doing this, I create a way to prevent seeing a harsh 90-degree corner, which is more pleasing to the eye and will create better