Ronald van der Wijden

A while back (a long while back…) I wrote about my thoughts on building a small light railway/tramway layout. After some research though, suitable rolling stock and track seems not to easy to come by. Also, the possible themes looked like they lacked a bit too much challenge; I mean, I don’t have high demands, but a layout needs to at least offer some entertainment.

So I’ve been rethinking the whole issue: when space is limited, chosing a smaller scale is another way to approach the problem. N scale (1:160 or 2mm) has been around for quite some time and availability of scenery, rolling stock and track material is rather decent.
Not like it’s anywhere close to what’s available in H0, but still.

Now, traditionally I had something against N; I found (or at least thought I found) the models lacking in detail and the technique and reliability unsatisfactory.
Ever since I gave it some more attention though I found models nowadays leave little to be desired: even on closeup shots you really have to look closely to distinguish N from H0 (the clunky couplings are usually a dead giveaway, unfortunately).

So I decided to give N a try. Over the past weeks I’ve been scoping out model shops in the neighbourhood, been looking for suitable models, thought about which track I wanted to use; there is not much choice in that department, but Peco UK supplies a very attractive fine version that is still compatible with standard (NEM compliant) rolling stock.
I already have a rough sketch for a theme and track plan; the moment has come to flesh out a more detailed plan of the layout and tracks.

More on this subject when things progress.
Yeah, I promised that before and failed; I’m sorry, I’ll try and better my life.

2006 has been the year of unusual weather in Holland. Did the year start with a relatively cold, wet and late spring, juli offered two consecutive heat waves with record breaking highs for several weeks. August, normally the “real” summer month around here, was wet and too cold; oktober and november again were unusually mild, extending the summer and pushing back the autumn.
After a short cold period, even december was too mild, and 2007 started with spring-like temperatures, throwing off many early flowering plants and causing them to bloom far too early.

Although the experts don’t exclude some proper winter weather lateron–febuari and march are often the coldest months, and even april can still be rather chilly–at the moment it seems like we skipped winter altogether. What do you mean, global warming?

It’s been quite a while since my last writeup; I’m afraid I haven’t been very loyal to whatever visitors I still have which, judging by the number of reponses, is precious little.

Anyway: the assignment at my former employer for over eleven years finally came to a close at the end of september. The week before that, I had a successful interview for my next assignment, again for a large dutch bank; successful in that it resulted in me getting the assignment, which I’m thouroughly chuffed about. This means starting as a consultant for real for the first time.

After a much needed two weeks of vacation I started there last week, and after some initial getting used to a new environment, new people and new ways of doing things, I’m already starting to get the hang of things, getting to know the people I’m on the project with, finding my way around the workplace, etc.

There are still tons of things to learn and get accustomed to, but sofar it’s looking good; for the first time in a long while, I’m excited about getting up in the morning and going to work again, which says enough by itself.

Well, finally after working at the same company for more than 12 years, the end date has been set this time: 30 september 2006 will be my last day at the bank (actually, 29 september, since I have no intention to go in on a saturday!).

Over a year ago (1 september 2005, to be precise), I already ended my employment there  and switched to my current employer, Centric. Part of the agreement back then was that the Bank would hire me for a period of one and a half years max. Now, after a year and a month, my assignment draws to a close. Just another two weeks, and it’s “goodbye”!

Centric is already on the look for my next assignment; some offers have been made, and by the looks of it it shouldn’t take too long before I can go on my first real assignment. And even if it would take a while longer, I have no problem spending some time at the head office and doing some internal work.

At any rate, although it will be hard to walk out the door for the last time in over twelve years, I’m thoroughly excited about this new phase of my working life. Be sure to read up on that here when the time arrives.

As a little service to those that visit my site (all three of them…) I’ve added a contact form.
Use this if you wish to send me an email and tell me about your life, hobbies, suggestions, how much my site sucks–no, don’t tell me about that; rather, suggest how I can improve it.

You can find the form under “Contact” in the main navigation (up top).

“Contact Form ][” plugin courtesy of Chip Cuccio.