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Description
I've recently bought a new computer, and every now and then I'm just scrolling through the photo library to see how quickly it runs, because that was horrible on the old one (but I think that was mainly Aperture; I finally made the switch to Photos, and while it's clearly less pro-level, it's much faster). During that, I found this picture, apparently taken in 2009. I have no idea why, but I really like it anyway, so I wanted to share it.

This is a model of an MaK G1000BB, a small road switcher used by various german private railway companies. The prototype for this one was owned by NIAG. This N-scale model is built by Trix, and I got it as part of a starter pack I bought because it was cheaper than buying the components individually. This one has been altered to include a plug-in DCC decoder by Lenz (the board with all the electronics). I've since switched to ESU decoders for better price/performance. There's also a few american Digitrax decoders in my collection, but they're horrible and I only use them when they're the only option for converting a locomotive.

The design of the locomotive is fairly standard, though the big square lighting boards at either end look weird. But they effectively prevent the head- and taillights from bleeding through. It has a standard six-pin DCC plug, a very useful invention that american N scale manufacturers never ever include, apparently because they hate me. The running gear is a standard motor (disappearing into the depth of field unsharpness) with two flywheels. A weird attribute of this locomotive is the giant mass of coloured cables running the length of it to connect the main control board with the opposite-end lighting board. Most others simply have one long board for this, but apparently that would not fit here.

If you're familiar with model railroads then you may be wondering where this locomotive has its ballast weights for better electricity pickup. Simple: It doesn't. Or maybe only minuscule ones. This is a locomotive that requires almost spotless clean tracks to operate well. Still, it looks nice.

Description
I've recently bought a new computer, and every now and then I'm just scrolling through the photo library to see how quickly it runs, because that was horrible on the old one (but I think that was mainly Aperture; I finally made the switch to Photos, and while it's clearly less pro-level, it's much faster). During that, I found this picture, apparently taken in 2009. I have no idea why, but I really like it anyway, so I wanted to share it.

This is a model of an MaK G1000BB, a small road switcher used by various german private railway companies. The prototype for this one was owned by NIAG. This N-scale model is built by Trix, and I got it as part of a starter pack I bought because it was cheaper than buying the components individually. This one has been altered to include a plug-in DCC decoder by Lenz (the board with all the electronics). I've since switched to ESU decoders for better price/performance. There's also a few american Digitrax decoders in my collection, but they're horrible and I only use them when they're the only option for converting a locomotive.

The design of the locomotive is fairly standard, though the big square lighting boards at either end look weird. But they effectively prevent the head- and taillights from bleeding through. It has a standard six-pin DCC plug, a very useful invention that american N scale manufacturers never ever include, apparently because they hate me. The running gear is a standard motor (disappearing into the depth of field unsharpness) with two flywheels. A weird attribute of this locomotive is the giant mass of coloured cables running the length of it to connect the main control board with the opposite-end lighting board. Most others simply have one long board for this, but apparently that would not fit here.

If you're familiar with model railroads then you may be wondering where this locomotive has its ballast weights for better electricity pickup. Simple: It doesn't. Or maybe only minuscule ones. This is a locomotive that requires almost spotless clean tracks to operate well. Still, it looks nice.