Tachyon Eddy
@tachyoneddies.com
Tachyon Eddies' official site account. Coming soon; ask for the site guest key for preview. Z Scale 1:220 scale model trains, scifi, writing, and some light computer programming. SFW posts and reposts.
I always thought the EMD LWT-12 famously used the Rock Island Aerotrain and the 485 Series from Japan looked similar, but now that I see them right next to each other they really only share that one characteristic.
November 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I always thought the EMD LWT-12 famously used the Rock Island Aerotrain and the 485 Series from Japan looked similar, but now that I see them right next to each other they really only share that one characteristic.
Found: a good concrete pad analog using foamclay with clay powder pressed into it (first stage here).
Lost: connectivity to track.
I redid some wiring so maybe it's not the fauxcrete's fault.
Lost: connectivity to track.
I redid some wiring so maybe it's not the fauxcrete's fault.
November 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Found: a good concrete pad analog using foamclay with clay powder pressed into it (first stage here).
Lost: connectivity to track.
I redid some wiring so maybe it's not the fauxcrete's fault.
Lost: connectivity to track.
I redid some wiring so maybe it's not the fauxcrete's fault.
Of course, can't forget the expansion lines.
November 27, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Of course, can't forget the expansion lines.
Gray clay powder makes a pretty good model railyard concrete analog. It would look even better if I turned on a light or two.
November 27, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Gray clay powder makes a pretty good model railyard concrete analog. It would look even better if I turned on a light or two.
A Z gauge shunting question: the line from C to D should be 6 times longer than the longest rolling stock (including locomotives). Where do we get 6 from? I think I'd like to know how many cars long between the points and off of each side.
www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzz...
www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzz...
November 26, 2025 at 11:39 PM
A Z gauge shunting question: the line from C to D should be 6 times longer than the longest rolling stock (including locomotives). Where do we get 6 from? I think I'd like to know how many cars long between the points and off of each side.
www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzz...
www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzz...
Also, if you haven't seen "trunk layouts" in Z gauge here's a nice article about some of them we don't normally see outside of the Japanese market. zgaugemaniax.blog/2022/10/24/o...
November 26, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Also, if you haven't seen "trunk layouts" in Z gauge here's a nice article about some of them we don't normally see outside of the Japanese market. zgaugemaniax.blog/2022/10/24/o...
What are some cheap or easy items you can repurpose for model railroad layout work? I'm trying this clay powder as it seems like it could simulate concrete or certain types of ground, and is easy to work with.
November 26, 2025 at 10:34 PM
What are some cheap or easy items you can repurpose for model railroad layout work? I'm trying this clay powder as it seems like it could simulate concrete or certain types of ground, and is easy to work with.
Model Railroading Day 274. More waiting for glue to dry.
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Model Railroading Day 274. More waiting for glue to dry.
Let Z shunting begin! Marklin front coupler and Rokuhan rear to make it more interesting. I can already see how connecting the triangle will make for a *lot* more possibilities so I think the havoc was worth it. #modelTrains
November 24, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Let Z shunting begin! Marklin front coupler and Rokuhan rear to make it more interesting. I can already see how connecting the triangle will make for a *lot* more possibilities so I think the havoc was worth it. #modelTrains
concrete everywhere green i think... yellow is the replacement mountain and junior mount
November 24, 2025 at 12:43 AM
concrete everywhere green i think... yellow is the replacement mountain and junior mount
The Z is also for "e-z" like when you're done testing a bad idea, or need to check and rewire the mainline, or better yet both at the same time. This first year of #modelRailroading I've learned to plan ahead. Plan for operations. Plan for maintenance. Planning will save you so much time & effort.
November 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The Z is also for "e-z" like when you're done testing a bad idea, or need to check and rewire the mainline, or better yet both at the same time. This first year of #modelRailroading I've learned to plan ahead. Plan for operations. Plan for maintenance. Planning will save you so much time & effort.
So one option here: gravel like this then finer and finer gravel, then a paint wash then maybe some airbrushed weathering? It does look like an aqaurium or terrarium now. #modelTrains
November 22, 2025 at 9:36 PM
So one option here: gravel like this then finer and finer gravel, then a paint wash then maybe some airbrushed weathering? It does look like an aqaurium or terrarium now. #modelTrains
It looked so easy. Simply close that little gap there. Next thing you know, we're tearing track up all the way to the mainline and the giant track-nippers came out. Well, it'll be worth it for more shunting puzzle scenarios.
November 22, 2025 at 4:10 AM
It looked so easy. Simply close that little gap there. Next thing you know, we're tearing track up all the way to the mainline and the giant track-nippers came out. Well, it'll be worth it for more shunting puzzle scenarios.
What, are you going to paint in between all of those little tiny Z scale model railroad ties? No, I'm going to sprinkle tiny pieces of ballast between them and *then* paint.
November 22, 2025 at 2:08 AM
What, are you going to paint in between all of those little tiny Z scale model railroad ties? No, I'm going to sprinkle tiny pieces of ballast between them and *then* paint.
Maybe the Rokuhan bedded stays bent somehow but for me it was like working with a leaf spring. Replaced w/ Atlas flex. Takes a shape when you bend it but high risk of kinking it in one spot if you don't use a form or bend widely. The goal is minimizing the angle between the joining rails.
November 22, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Maybe the Rokuhan bedded stays bent somehow but for me it was like working with a leaf spring. Replaced w/ Atlas flex. Takes a shape when you bend it but high risk of kinking it in one spot if you don't use a form or bend widely. The goal is minimizing the angle between the joining rails.
I was just saying to myself "self, that's a mighty tight turn". Well, the little freight cars don't seem to mind but I doubt we'll be parking the dining car there. Other than that it's going together well. Getting the hang of making cut pieces join smoothly but next layout maybe no cutting.
November 21, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I was just saying to myself "self, that's a mighty tight turn". Well, the little freight cars don't seem to mind but I doubt we'll be parking the dining car there. Other than that it's going together well. Getting the hang of making cut pieces join smoothly but next layout maybe no cutting.
Considering how much tension this flextrack is under, some day the glue might give out and suddenly arch a bunch of rolling stock into the wall.
November 21, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Considering how much tension this flextrack is under, some day the glue might give out and suddenly arch a bunch of rolling stock into the wall.
I haven't forgotten my #HistScaleModels #HeaviesGB project but after meeting what I'm now calling The Anticanopy I'm backing up and regrouping.
November 21, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I haven't forgotten my #HistScaleModels #HeaviesGB project but after meeting what I'm now calling The Anticanopy I'm backing up and regrouping.
Nicely fit. Canopies are why I bought two of the same kit. Or in this case, it's an anticanopy. This was supposed to be my "putty check layer".😅
November 21, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Nicely fit. Canopies are why I bought two of the same kit. Or in this case, it's an anticanopy. This was supposed to be my "putty check layer".😅
OK, I went and test fitted the crazy Rokuhan flex track and feel better. The first pic was at an angle that made that turn look tighter. I think it'll make it. You can see how the bedded flex track has sliding plates & you can even use rail joiners. Picture that curving track turned to an S. Sure.
November 21, 2025 at 12:51 AM
OK, I went and test fitted the crazy Rokuhan flex track and feel better. The first pic was at an angle that made that turn look tighter. I think it'll make it. You can see how the bedded flex track has sliding plates & you can even use rail joiners. Picture that curving track turned to an S. Sure.
You might wonder why you'd spend so much time deciding where track goes on a model train layout. Because shunting's a fun t'ing!
So much fun I went ahead with the "testing the limits of Rokuhan flex track" project. Maybe I can "s" it in there, but if not just try something else. We'll see.
So much fun I went ahead with the "testing the limits of Rokuhan flex track" project. Maybe I can "s" it in there, but if not just try something else. We'll see.
November 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
You might wonder why you'd spend so much time deciding where track goes on a model train layout. Because shunting's a fun t'ing!
So much fun I went ahead with the "testing the limits of Rokuhan flex track" project. Maybe I can "s" it in there, but if not just try something else. We'll see.
So much fun I went ahead with the "testing the limits of Rokuhan flex track" project. Maybe I can "s" it in there, but if not just try something else. We'll see.
AI brainwashing complete? They only tell multiple sides to some stories, I guess.
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
AI brainwashing complete? They only tell multiple sides to some stories, I guess.
Need some model railroading advice here: the "yard" needs a way for a locomotive to get from one end of a car to the other. I could put this turnout in at 1 or 2. I'm thinking 1. Switching out on the mainline would be kind of weird.
May wait a while though. Having enough fun the way it is.
May wait a while though. Having enough fun the way it is.
November 19, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Need some model railroading advice here: the "yard" needs a way for a locomotive to get from one end of a car to the other. I could put this turnout in at 1 or 2. I'm thinking 1. Switching out on the mainline would be kind of weird.
May wait a while though. Having enough fun the way it is.
May wait a while though. Having enough fun the way it is.
Slated for 2029, the new Romancecar 7-car trainset features observation directly out the front and rear with the driver tucked up top. The Odakyu Line's 100th anniversary is in 2027 so think how far the rolling stock has come. prtimes.jp/main/html/rd...
November 18, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Slated for 2029, the new Romancecar 7-car trainset features observation directly out the front and rear with the driver tucked up top. The Odakyu Line's 100th anniversary is in 2027 so think how far the rolling stock has come. prtimes.jp/main/html/rd...
One more model railroading question: I could cut the mainline oval here (at the bottom) and use flex track or trimmed pieces, but would this be too tight a turn?
Picture that bottom diagonal as an S bending all the way down to the image of the turnout. Would that add a lot to this layout?
Picture that bottom diagonal as an S bending all the way down to the image of the turnout. Would that add a lot to this layout?
November 17, 2025 at 2:55 AM
One more model railroading question: I could cut the mainline oval here (at the bottom) and use flex track or trimmed pieces, but would this be too tight a turn?
Picture that bottom diagonal as an S bending all the way down to the image of the turnout. Would that add a lot to this layout?
Picture that bottom diagonal as an S bending all the way down to the image of the turnout. Would that add a lot to this layout?