Voie Libre international

FROM SHADOWS TO LIGHT Just like that famous mouse - Terence Cuneo’s mascot – is somewhere in a corner, but never far from the light, railway modellers work in the shadows on their carefully designed small worlds. And these creations often spring from a variety of inspiration sources, not always obvious: historical, geographical, artistic… In this isssue, we shine the spotlight on all these sources, so that each modeller can draw on whatever he or she prefers. We also review some collective creations, often highly successful as hard work gets shared and talents add up. No doubt about it, railway modelling, the fruit of many hours toiling in dimness, is a hobby that emerges to be displayed and shared. Grab your tools!…

Here is a splendid version in original blue and cream livery of the mixed adhesion-rack motor units of the Swiss Schöllennenbahn and Furka-Oberalp networks. Three such units, N° 41 to 43, were ordered jointly with the FO and delivered in 1941. They carried this livery until the two networks merged in 1961. During this period, they only ran on the stretch between Andermatt and Göschenen, just 3.77km long, but with a 17,9 % gradient. On this section, the units could haul a maximum of 17 tons, the weight of just one carriage. The other version is a model of the FO BDeh 2/4 nº 45, dark red with large Furka-Oberalp markings, yellow on one side and white on the other. These new versions are available in digital sound - ESU…

This originally Saxon locomotive for 750mm narrow gauge is available with an ESU V5 sound decoder and working front, rear and cab lights. Based on an all-metal Bemo kit, assembly and painting are performed by a professional workshop and are above reproach. The prototype engine, nº 99 597 built 1914, was part of a class of 96 locomotives built between 1892 and 1922 by the Sächsische Machinen Fabrik (previously Richard Hartmann) at Chemnitz. They were 4-cylinder compound engines of the Meyer type, delivering 210hp and able to run at a maximum speed of 30 km/h. Weighing 29.6 tons, these engines could handle 40m radius curves! The sound sequences accurately reflect the fairly hushed exhaust of a compound locomotive, with a wide choice of whistle modulations, and various operational or running…

We had already reviewed the senior sisters, here are the junior ones: the saddle tank engines from the Dinorwic Quarry and Dorothea Quarry. The least one can say is that they are indeed tiny! Just 47.5mm long, 23.3mm wide and weighing 33g. Two versions of superstructure are available, with or without cab, and in four equally pleasing liveries. The small coreless motor (with flywheel) drives the rear axle, and the engines can easily haul a string of skips, the only limit being adhesion, given their restricted weight. But it takes two dozen axles on a steep gradient to reach that limit, meaning they are well able to perform the type of service you would expect from them. And, although this may seem incredible, they are pre-fitted for a decoder. To…

H0-9 /H0-12 This carriage, KB4ip 900-493, has a rather peculiar history… Built by Bautzen in 1930 as a standard carriage for 75cm gauge railways, it came from Oberwiesenthal on the Harz system, in August 1954 and was modified for metre gauge. The model reproduces the original body in red and cream livery with a black horizontal separation line, typical of the 1970s. It remained in this condition until 1985, when it was rebuilt with a welded body. Jacques Royan TILLIG REF. 13920 PRICE OBSERVED: 50 €…

These carriages, rebuilt on the basis of old Austrian woodbodied units, are fitted with an autonomous Webasto heating system and two of them feature toilet compartments. They are based in Gmünd on the Waldviertelbahn, a network whose lines are fairly long. The Roco models are an entirely new production and are very accurate. The vacuum brake hoses are already fitted, as is the electric cable connection for lighting and heating. The standard loop couplings have a shank reproducing the typical Bosna tulip (albeit a tad too low). The following are supplied as add-on parts: destination boards, markings, non-smoker signs, and a set of DR-style tulip coupings with connecting rods to make complete carriage sets. The markings correspond to Epoch IV. The chassis is accurately reproduced and features brake rigging, heating…