Ninove Terminus is a modelrailroad
in Nm-gauge.
This layout was an entry in the 2008 'mini-layout'-competion of Modelspoormagazine.
It came in third place.
- N-gauge stands for Nine milimeter, the distance between the rails on 1:160-track.
- the letter "m"is a reference to Metric gauge. Z-gauge track is used to make metric track in 1:160. This track in 6,25mm wide.
Why work in such a small gauge?
- I already had some experience with N-gauge in our club.
- The rules of the competion stated that the size of the layout was limited to ahalf square meter. A samller gauge allows more possibilities.
The
idea. Or why choose for a tramway terminus in Ninove.
- The reason came from different ways.
- On the onr hand I was born in Ninove and my family on my dad's side all come from the part of Ninove where the tramline was. So they are an incredible source of inspiration and knowledge.
- On the other hand is it possible to use smaller radiuses for the corners.
The layout is 150 by 30 cm and 30 cm is the tightest radius I could make with Z-gauge track and still make it look realistic. - Add to that the unvaluable information I got from René De Loecker and the picture is complete.
- René is a real tramenthousiast. He has an immense collection of picture about the "Boerentram" (Peseants-tram that ran from Brussels to Leerbeek and had connections there to Halle, Edingen and Ninove with a lot of sidelines. The 'Boerentram' stopped in the 1960's. René has written 2 books about this incredible part of railway-history.
- The rather negative side to this decision is that practically everything reminding of the tram-era in Ninove has vanished. Only one building still has a wall-support for the overhead-line. A lot of the buildings have also been replaced with new appartment-blocks.
Aireal view. The contoured part is depicted on the lay-out..
