Workshop V

Following all these wonderful projects presented on the previous pages, the author is pleased to insert an own rapid and economical project in between:

»The fascination of a narrow gauge light railway train is directly connected to small buildings, especially to more or less provisional engine shelters. However, the original EGGER-BAHN engine shelter tends to be not very accurate: it is simply appearing to be too large!

Not really looking for a suitable alternative, I got my fingers on the kit of a repair station published by the Saxonian company Auhagen . Looking at its dual ports I immediately thought of using this building as a H0e engine shelter or a miniature maintenance centre!«

»In my Franconian (chosen) home town Fürth, these industrial structures from the so called founding period -meaning around 1900- are quite common; mainly settled in the back yards of preciously renovated town houses. In earlier times people tend to live in the houses at the front row facing the street while doing business in tiny workshops in the back row, usually run by their respective families. Today this style of living is getting attractive again, since it saves time and the need of unnecessary outside transports... Often enough the products of these 'ancient' workshops were carried via hand pulled lorries toward the streets, running on 600 mm tracks: light trains en miniature, without the need of costly engines...«

»This very accurate kit may be completed within just a few hours, thanks to the precisely moulded original pieces, delivered in well chosen and opaque colours. In order to achieve a realistic appearance, applying a thorough coat of paint is not necessary. In fact my own model received just a quick aging (broad washing with thinned black acrylic colour, wipe off upper surfaces), followed by a final cover of opaque clear dope. All this can be done within one afternoon, while pros and perfectionists may continue on their desire...«

»Don't be fooled: The engine really does fit into the shelter! It's just the wide angle perspective of my small compact camera, generating the illusion that the engine is not going to make it through the open doors...

Maybe you feel like me: Male (or female) would like to build something, but as a working professional (being far from childhood, but with retirement not in sight yet) you don't know where to take the time and nerve strength from. Such a miniature project for a few rainy hours is a really great occupation, even if the result (as in my case) will not find its resting place within the model train world, but 'only' on a shelf!«