Hal-Zuzzu Model Railway Blog Index

Ħal-Zuzzu Model Railway Blog Index

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 174  A running session with 50015, 33020, 33112, 37035, 56089, 86426 & 97304.  12/2/2024 
 173  Changing the split gear on the Farish Class 37  11/29/2024 
 172  The Engine Shed Yard  11/22/2024 
 171  In this episode, I will show you the 3 motorised animated structures I have scratch-built.  11/11/2024 
 170  In this episode, I will show you how I motorised my engine shed hinged doors..  11/2/2024 
 169  I will show you a cab view of the fiddle yard and helixes in this episode.  5/27/2024 
 168  The making of the wall..  4/2/2024 
 167  In this episode, I will demonstrate the steps I took to create this N Gauge motorised barrier.  3/1/2024 
 166  In this episode, I will show you how I embellished the area around the engine shed.  3/1/2024 
 165  In this episode, I will install an ESU Lokpilot 5 decoder in a Graham Farish Class 66.  2/17/2024 
 164  You've seen it work, now see how it was made :)  2/2/2024 
 163  Constructing the Engine Shed from Scratch - Part 4  1/29/2024 
 162  Constructing the Engine Shed from Scratch - Part 3  1/7/2024 
 161  Constructing the Engine Shed from Scratch - Part 2  12/28/2023 
 160  Constructing the Engine Shed from Scratch - Part 1  12/23/2023 
 159  A camera that fits for N Gauge model railways.  12/21/2023 
 158  Cab view of a day in the life of a Class 142 Pacer  12/18/2023 
 157  The Cricut Maker 3 opens up limitless possibilities for creative projects. Having successfully crafted a robust refuelling station, I pondered the idea of using the precision-cutting capabilities of the Cricut Maker 3 for the hard standing at the engine shed. It became evident that the tool's performance is intricately tied to the precision of the instructions provided – a mere 1mm discrepancy can make a significant impact, underscoring the importance of accuracy.  12/10/2023 
 156  Taking scratch building to the next level.. At least for me..  12/3/2023 
 155  Graham Farish Class 31 undergoes essential maintenance.  11/28/2023 
 154  Dapol GBRf Class 66 gets worked on.  11/27/2023 
 153  Automated Yard Test with iTrain  11/27/2023 
 152  Class 33 goes coreless...  11/12/2023 
 151  Restoring the FLEISCHMANN 7218 Model Train  11/11/2023 
 150  Restoring a Class 37 locomotive purchased from eBay.  10/19/2023 
 149  Thought I'd share the full video with you all :)   7/28/2023 
 148  Added sound and stay-alive to new tool Farish Class 08  7/24/2023 
 147  Class 142 DMU overdue for service.  6/15/2023 
 146  Added a stay alive to a Farish Class 08 with no sound  5/27/2023 
 145  EWS Class 08 DCC Conversion.  5/16/2023 
 144  Class 33 motor replacement.  5/15/2023 
 143  Setting up my layout using the PCA9685.  4/28/2023 
 142  A major change in my layout.  4/26/2023 
 141  Elevated area for the coal mine...  3/30/2023 
 140  The locomotive refuelling station (Part 4)  1/13/2023 
 139  The locomotive refuelling station (Part 3)  1/7/2023 
 138  Locomotive Maintenance Yard.  1/2/2023 
 137  Cleaned up the hardware setup...  12/24/2022 
 136  Starting with the scenic breaks.  12/14/2022 
 135  East side storage yard.  11/27/2022 
 134  The locomotive refuelling station (Part 2)  11/4/2022 
 133  The locomotive refuelling station (Part 1)  10/26/2022 
 132  In this episode, I will be installing the station sidings followed by a quick basic build of the platforms.  10/18/2022 
 131  Sometimes you don't get it right the first time..  10/6/2022 
 130  Dual-level Lift-up Section  9/30/2022 
 129  Ep38 - Wiring the DMU Station Track  9/20/2022 
 128  The Industrial Area DMU Station  9/16/2022 
 127  Ep37 - Track Repair Work at Ħal-Zuzzu Model Railway  9/9/2022 
 126  Ep36 - Sep 2022 Layout Update at Ħal-Zuzzu Model Railway  9/1/2022 
 125  The start of the freight train level...  7/31/2022 
 124  A short clip showing 3 locomotives sharing the same crossing and all waiting in line for their turn to cross it.  7/28/2022 
 123  Quick post about the new upper-level module...  7/24/2022 
 122  Layout progress to date. Decided to take a step back and take a few pictures today.  7/22/2022 
 121  Today I finished the east side incline from the main level to the upper level. It is a pretty straightforward single line with a 2% incline and is about 350cm long. I will be building a second one on the west side for traffic going in the opposite direction on the dual line.  7/19/2022 
 120  Watch this Class 142 Pacer go over the crossover. I'd hate to be a passenger in that. The points and crossover are fitted flawlessly. The wheels are slightly too small and keep falling into the frog gap. At one point the Pacer will stall because one of two wheels is up in the air. Yes, I need to clean the pickups but cleaning them will not make a smoother ride. What a shame that all the hard work of installing the points and crossover is lost due to either the shoddy quality by Peco and/or Dapol not considering issues like this. Other locos also bounce around but not as bad as the Pacer. Disappointed...  7/17/2022 
 119  You've read the blog, now watch the video :)   7/3/2022 
 118  The time has come to build the structure to carry the main level baseboard.  7/3/2022 
 117  Homemade Wagon Wheels Cleaning Tool.  5/31/2022 
 116  Building the main level baseboard.  5/29/2022 
 115  Changed method of use for my OPTO sensors.  3/18/2022 
 114  Parts arrived and now it's time to assemble the class 66 and send it around the track again.  2/27/2022 
 113  If you like to do things yourself as opposed to buying them off the shelf, watch my latest project :)  2/25/2022 
 112  Organising my layout power plant and electronics.  2/10/2022 
 111  New addition - Graham Farish 371-004A Class 08 Shunter 08748 in BR Blue  2/4/2022 
 110  How I freed up the wheels on my wagons...  2/3/2022 
 109  DCC Bus Termination.  1/19/2022 
 108  DC vs. DCC, which would you use?  1/18/2022 
 107  Replacing motor on a GF N Gauge EWS Class 66 (371-384A)  1/14/2022 
 106  Scheduled service on the Dapol GBRf Class 66...  1/12/2022 
 105  Check out the new video :)   1/10/2022 
 104  Just finished converting this Class 04 to DCC, it was both challenging and good fun. Enjoy the video :)   1/5/2022 
 103  Under the bonnet of the Dapol Class 142 DMU 142042 (DCC FITTED)  1/3/2022 
 102  Some automated running footage of the fiddle yard.   11/1/2021 
 101  Check out my latest video where I use infra-red sensors to detect block occupancy...  10/22/2021 
 100  I have a current sensing problem in my helix blocks. I keep getting false readings that a train is there when in fact it is not.  10/19/2021 
 099  Hope this is useful to someone out there :)   10/1/2021 
 098  This is my first DCC hardwire conversion. Glad I have it running around on the layout now :)   9/24/2021 
 097  Finally finished building the oval helix :)  Enjoy the video...  9/17/2021 
 096  Progress on the oval helix...  9/14/2021 
 095  The oval helix...  9/4/2021 
 094  Fiddle yard ready...  8/22/2021 
 093  Finished one direction of the fiddle yard :)   8/22/2021 
 092  So, I decided to scrap my layout... and start a new one :)   8/21/2021 
 091  I did say that change is coming... and here it is...  8/20/2021 
 090  Connect to your z21 and retain your internet connection    8/13/2021 
 089  The latest and last scratch build for a while to come...  8/6/2021 
 088  Finished off the row of 4 houses. Just like the commercial building, the windows and doors were the last to go in...  7/23/2021 
 087  Finished off the commercial block. Windows and doors were the last to go in :)   7/18/2021 
 086  Scratch building the train station...  7/16/2021 
 085  Shots are taken from a different angle of my layout. I normally cannot gain access to this viewing point...  7/11/2021 
 084  Train Station ready.  7/4/2021 
 083  Finished off the yard today. Here's the video as promised. Enjoy :)   7/1/2021 
 082  The yard track laying is done.  6/30/2021 
 081  The storage yard progress…  6/28/2021 
 080  Using servos as point motors.  5/30/2021 
 079  How to set up your z21 on your home network (The advanced way)  5/24/2021 
 078  How to set up your z21 on your home network (The easy way)  5/23/2021 
 077  Some scale shots of the village of Hal-Zuzzu   5/15/2021 
 076  Postman came :)   5/12/2021 
 075  Shops and office block...  5/5/2021 
 074  Since I have been waiting for 2 months for parts to arrive, I've kept myself busy scratch-building the "Hal Zuzzu" village. I have not been able to update you guys with anything new and interesting, so I thought I'd update you briefly with what I have been up to these past couple of months.  5/3/2021 
 073  Details I'm adding into a block of apartments...  4/29/2021 
 072  Did some painting...  4/25/2021 
 071  Almost finished the balustrades...  4/23/2021 
 070  Balustrades for the balconies...  4/22/2021 
 069  Started painting the row of 4 houses...  4/21/2021 
 068  Balustrades for the balconies and verandas.   4/18/2021 
 067  Scratch building a row of 4 houses.  4/16/2021 
 066  So, here's an update on the scratch build train station...  4/11/2021 
 065  Installing train station and platform...  4/5/2021 
 064  A short history lesson about this train station...  4/3/2021 
 063  End of the build. Windows and doors next.  4/2/2021 
 062  Adding 3D effects on the scratch build station  3/30/2021 
 061  Train station scratch build.  3/29/2021 
 060  So, I started playing with InkScape and went for something like this.  3/22/2021 
 059  An update about the hole in the middle  3/21/2021 
 058  EWS Class 66 66111. You don't realise how fast your train is going until you watch your own video.  3/8/2021 
 057  The MegaPoints Servo Controller for my layout.  3/4/2021 
 056  An update on what's happening on the layout.  3/2/2021 
 055  Got my Dapol Class 33 working again. Decided to take the trains for a spin. Nothing scale about what you are about to see. I wanted to test the layout once again. Some of the footage is at full throttle.  2/11/2021 
 054  3D Video Capture of the MaltaRail Layout (Feb 2021)  2/10/2021 
 053  This is the Rabat Museum railway stations today, last used in 1931.  2/1/2021 
 052  Some footage I took today :)   1/31/2021 
 051  Village and station location...  1/31/2021 
 050  Here is the video of the latest layout update (  1/30/2021 
 049  There is this sharp curve that is not working for the layout. I need to remove the track and redesign it.   1/29/2021 
 048  Just received my replacement Class 4 and some EWS wagons. Took them for a spin :)   1/20/2021 
 047  Problems, problems and more problems...  1/17/2021 
 046  Finished installing the upper and outer loop and took the 33 for a run :)   1/13/2021 
 045  Started testing the upper loop with a loco and some coaches today.   1/13/2021 
 044  The two main loops are finally ready. Everything in place, glued, droppers .... the works.  1/12/2021 
 043  Making the new curved incline.  1/11/2021 
 042  After finishing off the top of the new bridge and allowing the glue used for the cork underlay to dry, I glued the track on the length of the new bridge and the next part of the rock surface  1/10/2021 
 041  Close up video of the cliff tunnel from both directions..  1/9/2021 
 040  The 3rd and 4th bridges.  1/9/2021 
 039  Episode 6 is now out :) Enjoy!!  1/6/2021 
 038  Up they go. Waiting for the glue to dry, after which I will do some finishing touches on the plaster.  1/6/2021 
 037  Last part of the cliff tunnel.  1/5/2021 
 036  Colouring the rocks  1/4/2021 
 035  The North-East corner...  1/4/2021 
 034  The last image for 2020.  12/31/2020 
 033  Today's progress. Open cliff tunnel, short bridge and plastering  12/30/2020 
 032  I think we're going to need another bridge!!!  12/28/2020 
 031  The 1.6m scratch build bridge..  12/27/2020 
 030  Last part of the bridge going in soon,  12/27/2020 
 029  Progress on the bridge.  12/26/2020 
 028  Building the bridge  12/25/2020 
 027  The new 1.6m bridge will follow that bright green string.   12/20/2020 
 026  In this episode, I start working on the rock formation of the layout.  12/19/2020 
 025  Made a big mess on the layout today. Did some plastering :)  Happy with the result so far :)   12/19/2020 
 024  The amount of work involved in building this layout, as in all layouts, is always under estimated. Good thing I am in no hurry to finish it :)  12/17/2020 
 023  Because of the lack of space to work in, everything I do takes longer. I start a job and end up waiting for glue to dry before moving on to the next task on the list.  12/16/2020 
 022  Started doing some work on the rocks.   12/14/2020 
 021  Made some progress on the structure of the far hill and tunnels :)   12/13/2020 
 020  Episode 3 of the model railway layout build where the topic today is, "inclines" :)   12/10/2020 
 019  Started working on the outer loop. The inclines are a challenge.  12/9/2020 
 018  This is the first 30cm of my homemade 2% incline set. Only 2 more meters to go :)  12/5/2020 
 017  In this episode I start installing some track for the inner loop of the new MaltaRail N Gauge Model Railway.  11/19/2020 
 016  There's a first time for everything..  11/18/2020 
 015  Adding cork underlay at my first point...  11/15/2020 
 014  IT'S ALIVE (well partially)  :) :)   11/15/2020 
 013  GREAT PROGRESS - OLLLEEE!!!!  11/11/2020 
 012  CAUTION: Curved track underlay gluing in progress :)  11/11/2020 
 011  Printed the layout in 1:1 ratio, and laid it on the model railway surface.  11/10/2020 
 010  Did some work today :)   11/9/2020 
 009  Track time :)   11/8/2020 
 008  Received some track today…  11/4/2020 
 007  These arrived today :)  11/3/2020 
 006  So I bought some 2 inch polystyrene for the train layout.  11/1/2020 
 005  While waiting for my parts to get here, I thought I'd try my hand at layout designing. Trying to make something different from all that I see, but when you have limited space, it becomes very apparent that this is not going to be easy.   10/26/2020 
 004  I put together this video showing the build progress from start.  10/24/2020 
 003  Almost finished the 55" x 70" winched wooden layout platform.  10/23/2020 
 002  Today I decided to start working on the hoist that will lift the layout.  10/21/2020 
 001  The start of a new layout and a new hobby..  10/18/2020