My first interest in Z-scale was 25 years ago. I did not have practically any space for layout or diorama but I collected many plastic kits from KIBRI, Vollmer and Faller. Most of them I assamblied. My skills were much lower comparing to those days. All those models are still stored in boxes and ... waiting for better times. Finally I decided that it would be nice to play with trains and decided to make Micro-modules based on Rokuhan track and German concept of "Brettchen". I do not want it to be too sophisticated and extremaly realistic. I just want tu use what I have with nt too much work. Starting point: Based on first experiance I decided to secure the tracks with screws: End module will be a litlle bit more complicated. I plan to have a tunnel. On top of it I plan to have another scene - diorama to display some more rolling stock. This is important to have a good construction of this module - with acces to inside of the tunnel: Construction of the tunnel entry. All the time checking the clearence for rolling stock.
Nice to see you’re progress. And smart to have access to the tunnel. Funny you should mention tunnel clearances, because I just ran into this with some double track portals I had previously purchased. If are using the standard track spacing of 25 mm between centers, then in some cases box cars come dangerously close to the edge of the portals. Depending on the make of portals that is. I’m gonna have to do some sanding to open up my portals a bit.
If I understand "Brettchen" as a concept it roughly translates to Small Bread Board or Small Cutting Board, as a small layout platform, much like what we are calling T-Trak-Z here these days. It sounds like a natural progression of train modules, where the big ones are harder to transport to shows and meets as you get older, so having something smaller that you can sit down and display on a banquet table with minimal and quick setup. Looks good by the way!
Robert, that is totally correct. The standard Brettchen are 220mm by 110mm, conform to the standard straight track length. As always, there are varieties (single/double track, different heights of the boards) but the main concept is adapted by many clubs ("Stammtische") in Germany. The idea is a simple set up allowing to connect individual Brettchen, indeed into a modular layout. A Dutch friend of mine was charmed by the concept and built quite a few of these, each with a nice little scene - like diorama's but interconnectable. He lives in an appartment and doesn't have enough room for a permanent layout, so in that case it is a great solution as well. I also built a few myself, but it didn't get me excited enough to really get started with the scenery. The individual units are too small to really built them into a satisfying scene for me. I also made backdrops with the same dimensions, also not completely to my satisfaction. However, I use them occasionally for a quick setup of track for testing, taking photographs or playing around with other themes than my *forever under construction* USA-themed layout. These are my Brettchen in different uses: A Dutch prototypical train (by Gianfranco - Ubinor!) with a makeshift arrangement of Dutch houses. Overview... View attachment 246741 Close up... I do need to make a more California prototypical background, I do realize. But I don't mean to hijack this thread, so, please - back to you, Pavel.. I think you are seriously innovating on the concept! It seems to me by building larger modules, like the covered 180 degree corner in stead of a 90 degree corner Brettchen, you are making it more interesting, easier to handle and more fun. Please keep posting! Matt
This is also very scallable. Maybe the first Brettchen were made using some cutting boards they bought in supermarket ?
Matt, This is discussion forum - you are welcome to comment and add to my thread. I did not consider myself to be "innovator" but I do have some more ideas how to extend the concept: - I think it is possible to have also 440mm module (one longer Rokuhan track). - my 180 degree module will have two levels. The upper one will be a display diorama (48cm x 20 cm) to show some more rolling stock. The diorama is made on the other styrodur board and will be assamblied when ready on the module. This is very convenient during the work. Starting point:
For the scenery of upper level diorama I use old Kibri mountain style buildings. I assamblied them 20 years ago with some roof weathering and not too much painting. For less shiny look I sprayed them with Humbroll matt clear paint. I think this improved the look very much. Here you can see how the concept "diorama integrated into module" will work:
Pawel, I like the concept, and you are bringing some great ideas to "Brettchen". The diorama looks great! Those buildings look good, even if you are not completely happy with them. Looking forward to seeing more! Matt, Thanks for the explanation and examples! Scott
Those Kibri houses are nice and still very good models, despite their age. I like the way you worked their footprints into the environment. Matt
Due to space problem one of those Kibri houses covered not only the edge but 1/4 of the road. To make it less visible and more realistic I painted over the street to remove white lines in the middle and added some signs next to the road and on the building. My first self-made rock wall (actually it is the second one... the first one found it's place in waste bin). All main parts were assamblied together. Backdrop added. There is still some work with the scenery around the rock wall. It is possible to make some nice photos:
It was not finished yet ! It was necessary to cover some areas with vegetation. The general overview of the finished module: Some closer look: