Zwilnik
@zwilnik.bsky.social
Video Game Developer, dabbler in various dark arts (astronomy, light bulb replacement, napping), model railway enthusiast.
Taking a slight rail diversion into Lego trains with my own MOC of a Class 23 Baby Deltic (using only parts up to the early 80s for blue rail 4.5v Lego)
October 25, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Taking a slight rail diversion into Lego trains with my own MOC of a Class 23 Baby Deltic (using only parts up to the early 80s for blue rail 4.5v Lego)
Now waiting for glue to dry.
June 8, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Now waiting for glue to dry.
Finally got some pva glue and ballast to properly lay the track on my O Gauge layout (repost as forgot alt text)
June 7, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Finally got some pva glue and ballast to properly lay the track on my O Gauge layout (repost as forgot alt text)
I managed to snap a photo of the partial solar eclipse right now. Phone held up behind one pair of viewing glasses while wearing another pair for maximum fashion.
March 29, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I managed to snap a photo of the partial solar eclipse right now. Phone held up behind one pair of viewing glasses while wearing another pair for maximum fashion.
It's a little rough, but I've assembled the first test print of my O Gauge chassis. Some warping on the main frame (supports for O are a lot different from N!) but otherwise a reasonable fit and plenty of data for the next iteration.
March 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It's a little rough, but I've assembled the first test print of my O Gauge chassis. Some warping on the main frame (supports for O are a lot different from N!) but otherwise a reasonable fit and plenty of data for the next iteration.
First go at an O gauge layout. Simple Inglenook puzzle on 2 frames (IKEA shelf frames with cardboard and hanging basket liner covering them)
March 10, 2025 at 2:08 AM
First go at an O gauge layout. Simple Inglenook puzzle on 2 frames (IKEA shelf frames with cardboard and hanging basket liner covering them)
Ah the fun of a location reset. Trying to buy a model making toolkit on Amazon, which requires an "Age verification check" as it has a knife in it. Apparently because Experian hasn't got a record of me at this address yet I have to get a grown-up to buy it for me instead.
February 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Ah the fun of a location reset. Trying to buy a model making toolkit on Amazon, which requires an "Age verification check" as it has a knife in it. Apparently because Experian hasn't got a record of me at this address yet I have to get a grown-up to buy it for me instead.
A couple more games for the board game stash.
February 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A couple more games for the board game stash.
Grav plates have failed captain!
December 30, 2024 at 11:09 PM
Grav plates have failed captain!
This is the effect on my lockdown layout. You can see the layers of corrugated card built up to near track height at the front.
December 26, 2024 at 6:19 PM
This is the effect on my lockdown layout. You can see the layers of corrugated card built up to near track height at the front.
Apologies for the nightmares :)
December 22, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Apologies for the nightmares :)
I came up with a solution a couple of years ago. Bandida was very annoyed.
December 8, 2024 at 12:17 AM
I came up with a solution a couple of years ago. Bandida was very annoyed.
Ivebridge rebuild just about done. Time for a quick running session before it's wrapped up for the winter.
December 4, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Ivebridge rebuild just about done. Time for a quick running session before it's wrapped up for the winter.
Still some work to do (all the replaced and repaired track needs re-ballasting) but all the craters and holes from the point connecting are covered and all the points and signals are hooked up and working. I even have a shelf for my controllers that covers the scary electronics :)
November 30, 2024 at 7:41 PM
Still some work to do (all the replaced and repaired track needs re-ballasting) but all the craters and holes from the point connecting are covered and all the points and signals are hooked up and working. I even have a shelf for my controllers that covers the scary electronics :)
Bit happier with the 2nd attempt. Used a rattle can to spray paint the body and painted the knobs with brass paint rather than using a gold sharpie. Also only used the single GWR plaque which stands out more. Mk1 for comparison.
November 30, 2024 at 5:14 PM
Bit happier with the 2nd attempt. Used a rattle can to spray paint the body and painted the knobs with brass paint rather than using a gold sharpie. Also only used the single GWR plaque which stands out more. Mk1 for comparison.
Given the collectable culture and all the different rail companies we all model, I'm surprised Kato don't do special edition controllers (or at least wraps) to cash in on it.
Here's my very rare (one off) Special Edition Kato GWR Power Pack.
Here's my very rare (one off) Special Edition Kato GWR Power Pack.
November 28, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Given the collectable culture and all the different rail companies we all model, I'm surprised Kato don't do special edition controllers (or at least wraps) to cash in on it.
Here's my very rare (one off) Special Edition Kato GWR Power Pack.
Here's my very rare (one off) Special Edition Kato GWR Power Pack.
Post a picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline.
November 17, 2024 at 11:53 PM
Post a picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline.
Back to work tomorrow, so probably fewer model railway posts (but just as much swearing). Going to play with my trains today, so here's some shots of Comet C2023/A3 I finally managed to get last month doing my other hobby of astronomy (which also involves swearing when it's cloudy!)
November 17, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Back to work tomorrow, so probably fewer model railway posts (but just as much swearing). Going to play with my trains today, so here's some shots of Comet C2023/A3 I finally managed to get last month doing my other hobby of astronomy (which also involves swearing when it's cloudy!)
Track repairs and point control done and (most) of the holes filled in and made scenic again. Hopefully might run some trains tomorrow :)
November 15, 2024 at 11:22 PM
Track repairs and point control done and (most) of the holes filled in and made scenic again. Hopefully might run some trains tomorrow :)
Yup, I 3D modelled and printed it. Also 1338 and Trojan. I've only got 2 0-4-0 chassis though, so I printed a dummy for whichever one is stationary ;)
November 15, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Yup, I 3D modelled and printed it. Also 1338 and Trojan. I've only got 2 0-4-0 chassis though, so I printed a dummy for whichever one is stationary ;)
So one of the skills I’ve had to try and learn for railway modelling is electronics. This is my totally sane and simple layout control board. (Controls 11 point servos, power to frogs and 3 signals via a custom app over WiFi). Remember I mentioned lots of swearing in my first post ;)
November 13, 2024 at 9:35 PM
So one of the skills I’ve had to try and learn for railway modelling is electronics. This is my totally sane and simple layout control board. (Controls 11 point servos, power to frogs and 3 signals via a custom app over WiFi). Remember I mentioned lots of swearing in my first post ;)
I've just written one that might help. Any publishers out there willing to give it a look?
November 13, 2024 at 1:16 PM
I've just written one that might help. Any publishers out there willing to give it a look?
A quick hello as my first post. I write video games, but in my (rare) spare time I relax by building model railways. This relaxation mostly involves learning random new skills, finding out I'm not particularly good at a lot of them and swearing a lot. Here's a pic of what I've learned so far..
November 12, 2024 at 10:06 PM
A quick hello as my first post. I write video games, but in my (rare) spare time I relax by building model railways. This relaxation mostly involves learning random new skills, finding out I'm not particularly good at a lot of them and swearing a lot. Here's a pic of what I've learned so far..