Welcome to Dutch Model Trains
Formerly known as Nederlandse Model Spoorwegen
Hi and welcome to my website about Dutch model trains. I started this website back in late 1990, early 2000.
In 2012 I temporarily stopped with my hobby including updating this website, due to time restrain. I also started my own business as a freelance photographer.
Yes, I was already employed as a railroad carman at CSX transportation, but needed a backup plan, just in case I got a layoff from the railroad, which thank goodness has not happened, but I did come close twice. So is American railroad life, temporary layoffs are common in the USA, when business slows down.
Anyway, I now have two jobs, 5 nights a week at the railroad and 2 days a week at my own photography studio.
And, among other things, in my little spare time I am working on my model train layout.
I started documenting the progress of my model train layout somewhere in or around the year 2005.
What to expect on this website? Of course, I describe the planning and making of my Dutch model lay-out, with lots of pictures. What it takes to get a result of a lay-out that shows typical Dutch markings. Not only with “ready to roll” items, but also “do it yourself” items, for example structures, trains and electronics. And also, self-made, digital command control.
My previous model train layout
Back in probably 2005 or so I started my previous layout in my master bedroom. This was literally the biggest room in my house, so to me that was the place to create my Dutch model train paradise. However, due to some personal issues I disassembled this layout, which was not too much of a job since the layout was mostly framework, electronics and some scenery. All of it was packed up in moving boxes waiting for the moment that has now come. (October 2024)
My current model train layout
I have started my current model train layout in October 2024. My previous layout was in my master bedroom, that has now become my “livingroom”. My photography business is downstairs, so I live upstairs in my home. One of my small bedrooms became available after my youngest daughter moved out. My way of building my layout is probably not the standard way of how others approach there hobbyroom. Since I want my room to look nice and have an entry area, I construct the room first. So, I did build the layout table frame only and then finish the walls, ceiling, closet and electrical setup. Once this is accomplished, I start building the actual train layout.
Who am I? A little bit about myself and my family.
Hi. I am Erin Paula van Beveren, my pronouns are she/her.
I am born in 1963 in the city of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. In 1988 I immigrated to the United States of America and settled in the state of Virginia. (Fairfax, Alexandria and currently Richmond)
From January 1992 till December 1995, I lived in Bayern, Germany. (Weiden in der Oberpfalz) My spoken languages are English, Dutch and German.
I am Erin P. van Beveren, born May 6, 1963, in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, and since 1988 residing in Virginia, United States of America. My current occupation since 2002 is (freight trains) carman with CSX transportation, and in the Netherlands, I worked with the Dutch State Railroad, as a (passenger trains) mechanic for electrically powered MU units. I am married to a wonderful American spouse, and we have four lovely children, three daughters and one son, as well as 5 precious grandchildren.
I have started this website after writing an article for the Dutch website Beneluxrail. (now Beneluxspoor.net) Then I got the idea to place my experience and the progress of my layout online. At this time the website has grown beyond the available space at my ISP. Since 2005 I have web hosting with enough space to even place video clips online. Like so many of us, I often surf the internet in search for ideas and stuff for my model railroad hobby and this website. I will link to all the things I find and use for my hobby and this website, or place here online, if I have permission to do so.
This website contains both articles from my previous layout at home, as well as ideas for the future, which I hope to build in my current layout. I never got to build a fixed layout after 1988 until 2003 because we had to move often due to my wife’s employer. However, since 2003 after I got my own home, I have started to build my layout. I do have other hobbies like photography/videography, watching DVD movies, building things in and around the house, but where is the time? I often travel to the Netherlands, usually once a year, but that was when my parents were still alive. My dad passed away on 09-01-1996 and my mom on 11-30-2024. So travelling abroad might slow down a little frequently as before.
Note: I am currently in the process of adding all of my old website articles and projects back online in this new updated website.
My education and work experience
I have graduated at the LTS (Dutch technical school) and received 3 diplomas in the technical fields of machinist (2) and electrician (1). At the Dutch railroad I studied a two year mechanical education and received another diploma in metal working. (BeMeTal/Smecoma, sorry no English translation) I also received my welding diplomas during this two year railroad paid education.
While in the USA I received a few ASE certificates as a automotive tech. (HVAC, brakes, suspension/alignments and electrical) The last diploma I received was at the NYIP (New York institute of photography) in professional photography, a total different, but interesting field. With this I started my photography business.
Somewhere in the beginning of 1981 I worked for 8 weeks as technical blueprint draftsperson for my dad’s company who was doing business in aluminum construction. But I could not stay inside a office environment, the walls were coming at me. I had to get an outside job. (One of the most proudly construction jobs my dad undertook was the construction of the shopping mall in Utrecht “Hoog Catharijne” that opened its doors in 1973. He was responsible for all the aluminum windows, doors and related construction. At this time most of this is demolished and/or reconstructed in the new shopping mall.
To be continued…
Send me a message
Hi. I am Erin Paula van Beveren, my pronouns are she/her.
I am born in 1963 in the city of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. In 1988 I immigrated to the United States of America and settled in the state of Virginia. (Fairfax, Alexandria and currently Richmond)
From January 1992 till December 1995, I lived in Bayern, Germany. (Weiden in der Oberpfalz) My spoken languages are English, Dutch and German.
If there is anything you like to know about this website, trains or model trains, or anything else for that matter, please don’t hesitate to send me a message.
Just to be clear, this website, model train layout and myself are located in Richmond VA. I am a Dutch citizen, living in the USA, not the Netherlands.
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