Nixnie - a minimum size 009 layout

[tedp]

Nixnie

At the start of this project it was known as 'the demo layout' - an idea born about 5 years ago when I thought it would be a good idea to build a small demonstration layout in 009 to promote 9mm gauge narrow gauge modelling for the Dutch 009 Group. It is only 80x55cms and features a midget-size station with a passing loop, and a siding to a brickworks. The theme of the layout isn't really fixed, but most of it is light railway/industrial, although it was built to accommodate some of the smaller C&DR stock if needed.

Nixnie is a name halfway Dutch and South African slang and could be translated as 'nothing at all'. The funny part of it is that the layout was thrown together using all kinds of cast-off bits and pieces that somehow came together. The baseboard is a sandwich of 50mm styrofoam between a sheet of chipboard and a sheet of three-ply. The chipboard came from the attic and the styrofoam from a spare sheet found under the ground floor of the house which I insulated against the cold over 20 years ago. In one corner I cut away the upper sheet of plywood and some of the Styrofoam, so a river bed and a short trestle bridge could be planned. When the plan evolved from its early shape, I had to widen it by about 4cm to be able to shoehorn the trackplan into the limited space. Here is the final plan which I started building last year:



After an appearance in its bare state at last year's Dutch Group meeting, Nixnie was put on show at Valkenburg last September, where I had a go at the river part of the scenery. Since then nothing much has been done on the layout - usual excuses... But today I took it to a small local show held at a revalidation home, where it drew crowds of children who take their swimming lessons in the pool in the home's basement. I felt rather motivated by that, so I decided to put something on the 009 Society forum to share the idea with you - a complete narrow gauge layout with a station, a scenic river area and industry, all on one small board. Here are some photos:

Overview of the layout before starting scenic work:


Tram loco on the trestle bridge. The smaller C&DR stock looks OK on this layout.


Ballasted track in the station:


Overview of the station after the trees were added. The water tank is a Tri-ang TT milk tank.


The attractive view from the station towards the trees, with a train coming round the curve:


Overview of the layout showing the way the trees hide the 'source' of the river:


And finally the shed wall with a sliding door hiding the access to a future fiddle yard. This structure hasn't yet been painted and weathered, unlike the Airfix goods van body. The edge of the goods platform has been glued in place:


Perhaps I should have a go at the river bed soon, then flood it with epoxy...   ::)

[gtmspyder]

Very nice Ted, it realy is amazing how such an evocative scene can be created in such a small area, this is another to follow on this site, thank you for sharing it with us.

Kind regards,

BrianT.

[tedp]

Thanks, Brian, glad you like it. It's still early days though - far too much bare baseboard surface in view.

Another aspect of this layout is that it was made with kit-built plastic structures, some second-hand, many of which can be picked up at sales stands during various model railway shows. The idea is to show a model railway needn't be expensive or space-consuming. It would be a good project even in a bed-sitter.  ;)

[MickT]

Thanks for sharing this Ted. This is a splendid little layout that can only inspire and motivate!

I'm sure I am not the only one to notice that you have used standard N gauge set track around the bends yet with clever use of techniques, this doesn't notice.

I look forward to more about "Nothing" ;D

Mick

[Graeme Dunbar]

Most excellent Ted!  :) Also great food for thought.

At the very enjoyable get-together of 009 Society members at the Glasgow exhibition in February the very same topic of taking a small layout to general model railway exhibitions came up in conversation. The attractions of larger layouts are clear, but a small layout might be just the thing to encourage newcomers to take up the hobby. I forget who said it, but they quoted something overheard from members of the public along the lines of "you can have one like that in the spare room dear" (points to small layout), "but not one of those" (large layout).

009 layouts are rare at exhibitions in Scotland. On the east coast at least, many exhibitions are dominated by large even very large club layouts. Exhibition managers will probably welcome small privately owned layouts. It really is about time I got stuck in and made something to exhibit. Something like your layout is just the ticket! Are there any other members similarly inspired?

[tedp]

Thanks, all. I think if one really had a go at this layout it could be completed inside a few months. It is manageable and if one uses small 009/H0e stock (not the C&DR giants) it looks even better. For exhibiting it's ideal - I got together the layout, the rolling stock and some loose gear including the power unit in half an hour and was away with the car. I set it up at yesterdays show in 5 minutes and had trains running! Rae Bridge is a different kettle of fish, I can tell you!

The N gauge setrack curves are the best to ensure a clean radius. Some ballasting will remove the funny look. Even the setrack curves were second-hand. This topic could be re-titled 'layout on a budget'... should have thought of that before!

[tedp]

Tonight I did some work on the backscene of Nixnie, which is made of photo prints pasted on a plywood panel. I used wallpaper paste, but regrettably some brown dye in the plywood stained the paper of the backscene. This was especially noticeable in the sky, so something had to be done. I have a spare set of identical prints, so I decided to put these over the first layer of prints. In preparation I painted the sky of the existing backscene white, using artist's acrylic primer. A second coat of primer is needed as the first coat always shows the brush marks.

The photo prints incidentally were made from a 10-year-old VHS video I made in Ireland. I took video stills, blew them up to larger than life size and blurred the image, then printed it on a laser printer using ordinary paper. This makes a beautifully hazy distant mountain backscene.

I hope this repair method works as it's a bit of a gamble - if it does I'll show you the results soon.

[tat2drod]

using artist's acrylic primer. A second coat of primer is needed as the first coat always shows the brush marks.

It's throwaway lines like this one that help people like me who are at the beginning of the learning process and are wondering just how to make the paint job on the horsebox kit that I built look decent.

Thanks Ted... dunno what I'd do without this forum...

[petersmith1942]

suppose you might have to if the Board of Directors decide it is unsuitable for the members

[tedp]

Perhaps it would help if you'd post a bit more about your own modelling, Peter!  ;)

Thanks for your reply, Rod. I had a look at the coat of acrylic primer today and it has dried up nice and even. I think I'll put on the new backscene sheets today, hoping the brown staining has been contained now.

It would make a nice change from the backbreaking work on my boat, which is to blame for the lack of modelling progress...   ;D

[tedp]

I'm happy to report the backscene refurbishment went all right. It was just like wallpaper pasting - all wrinkles when it's wet, then it smooths out nicely when it dries. Lovely stuff, wallpaper paste! The few blemishes can be hidden behind trees. Photos soon.

One reminder: the wallpaper backscene technique can only be done with laser prints as the toner isn't water soluble. Don't do it with an inkjet print - it will run with the moisture.

[petersmith1942]

Ted
yes you are right. I have a permanent dual gauge layout, HO and HOn30 with so far twelve HOn30 locos, all DCC but no sound yet. I am trying to decide if I have room for a small layout like Nixnie that I can join to my layout for running sessions as mine is end to end and I would like a continuous run option. To be honest I would love to post pics etc but have never done this on our forum and I am not a technical whiz kid. Nixnie perhaps because of the buildings does have an American flavour (please dont be offended) and I like your efforts a lot. One ofmy key aims has been to get the HOn30 locos running as smoothly and reliably as the HO ones and at last I am getting there. I will master the posting problem and in the meantime thanks for your interesting layout and construction guide
Peter

[tedp]

Thanks, Peter - I expect running in H0n3 may be as critical as in 009/H0e, but it can be made to work OK with some care and experience. Regarding Nixnie you might say some of the buildings might be considered American in character - never thought of it that way but it's not impossible - but they are solid Pola and Faller and of German origin.  ;D

I have now completed the backscene refurbishment as mentioned above. Here are a few photos.

After applying the white primer to the sky areas in the old backscene:


Brushing on the wallpaper paste:


Pressing the new backscene sheet into place:


Wrinkles!


Cutting a sheet to size for the other side of the centre board:


The new backscene looks much fresher than the old one:


A few 'accidents' can be hidden behind more trees:


New backscene smoothed out after drying:

[invercloy]

That's looking very good, Ted, especially the last shot.

[MickT]

Looking good Ted!

Mick