Fine-scale 1:160 modelling in Germany

[PGE_Modeller]

Earlier today, I picked up this link, http://stummiforum.de/viewtopic.php?p=547403#p547403 , to a German site from the 2 mm Scale Association (UK) Yahoo! Group list.  The modelling is in 1:160 fiNe scale and, while the text (which I have not attempted to translate) is in German, the photographs require no translation.  They simply show fantastic modelling of locomotives, rolling stock, trackwork and trees which I think would be appreciated by members of this forum.  It is a long thread but, IMHO, worth scrolling down to see all the photos.

Enjoy,

[John]

Sehr Shoen

[jdcolombo]

Unbelievable - the track work in that first set of photos is simply incredible.   It's hard to believe you're actually looking at N scale . . .

John C.

[Loren Perry]

Stunning work - just mind-blowing. The double-slip switch is a work of art - only someone with jeweler-like skills could pull this off. The photography is world-class. Good selection of lighting styles including use of backlighting which conveys realism of a very high order. Apparently some of the engines use tender drives to make possible the incredibly intricate and airy look between the frames and the boilers.

The weathering on some of the steam locomotives is very realistic and helps rid the models of the toylike image that's a product of those red and black color schemes. Usage of figures is appropriate and convincing. And the trees are all highly detailed models in their own right.

The one challenge not yet met by these otherwise brilliant artisans is solving the problem of the grossly too-wide treads on the wheels, a characteristic of German and other European N-scale equipment. I understand that they've apparently turned down the flanges on the stock wheels and that's a major plus, so it's probably asking a little too much from a hobbyist to find a way to narrow all those wheels - spoked and otherwise -  to take advantage of that magnificent hand-laid track.

Also the spoked pilot wheels (and others) would benefit from being painted in black first and then overcoated in red to eliminate the translucent glowing effect when the subject is back-lit, a very easy fix.

I also imagine that most of these photos are limited to modules and/or dioramas. A full layout built to these standards would be a lifetime project. Just caring for such a layout would be a major evolution.

I have no complaints- this is work of the very highest caliber. Who in North America could be said to be equally adept in this class of N-scale modeling?

[NARmike]

  Das is Arschhute =

[Cajonpassfan]

I've seen Juergen's work before and it it indeed mind blowing; I tend to drool all over my iPad... Yech! 
Loren, I agree the BR 93 2-8-2T wheels are a bit thick but if you back up a number of messages you will see his other steam locos, including a BR 11 pacific, where the wheels HAVE been thinned down, and they are incredible. European steam tended to be much lighter than what we're used to seeing here due to severe weight restrictions, and many had a "see through" feel. I think he nailed it.. Check out the pics and tell me he hasn't mastered that part... Wow
The layout pics  are "segments" or modules, to build a large layout to those standards would take several lifetimes....I'm struggling to finish mine using mostly manufactured track components, wishing I could find at least ONE slipswitch to put somewhere on my layout...
Regards, Otto
PS: Loren, my 3800 is just aching for her new rods...

[peteski]

The trackwork (including ancillary details like the route indicators and cable conduits) and the scenery is outstanding!  It shows how important ti is to model things like railings close to scale and to make the vegetation realistic. It is those little details which fool a human brain into thinking that it is seeing 1:1 scale scenes and not just some models.

The locos also have good looking running gear and details and I did not find the wheel thread width too objectionable.  The slightly translucent spoked drivers only show up in those extremely lit photos. I also did not find them objectionable in conventionally lit photos.

Loren correctly assumes that some of those models are tender-driven. Most Fleischmann (and some Minitrix and Arnold) locos with tenders are in fact tender driven, for that open-look between the frame and the boiler.

Also, none of this fine N scale stuff is new. Most of those photos were back from 2006 or 2008.  Still, they are a joy to look over!

EDIT: The photography is also outstanding. The angles from which the photos were taken and the natural lighting complete the illusion!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anyone see the trees? I like the trees. The conifers are very very good.

[kelticsylk]

Whoa! That is cool.

Frank Musick

[ljudice]

There's a lot of new life in Euro N-scale these days with a bunch of new manufacturers - sort of the BLMA or ESM's of Europe putting out interesting stuff.   

I like to keep tabs on the 1zu160.net site "News" section because there is often stuff that could be used in North America. The forums on the site are all in German, but the folks there are extremely friendly and helpful if you contact them.

- Lou

[VonRyan]

Hell, that beats the heck out of some of the UK 2mm Finescale stuff i've seen on the web. Especially since they're sticking with 1:160th rather than the more exacting 1:152 ("point" something) of 2mm Finescale. Just means less work goes into the locos and stock, and more attention to couplers, track, scenery, and other cool stuff...

-Cody F.

[robert3985]

Ausgezeichnet muss ich sage!

[MichaelWinicki]

Luv the abandon switch/siding.  For as common as they are or were in the real world, they're a pretty scarce animal on model railroads.

[GP38-2freak]

Ja, wir haben in den letzten Jahrzehnten im Bereich Modellbahn gut aufgeholt 

mit freundlichen Grüßen

Tim^^

[VonRyan]

I'd like to start a motion that anyone who is fluent in German tries to figure out where they got their trees or how they were made. S
ome of those trees are FANTASTIC! 

-Cody F.