Voie Libre international No. 109

This old slogan still has plenty of life in it. And is even particularly well suited to railway modelling! How to haul yourself out of the current routine? How to avoid obeying dictates? How better to escape than by letting your imagination roam freely, by building a magic world, more or less inspired by the real one or harking back to what is a not-that-distant past? Railway modelling offers the possibility of dabbling in art, in culture, in history, in technology, with our imagination at the helm. So, yes, I definitely adopt this old slogan and wish you full powers!…

Four versions of the MOB motor units 7 to 20 are now available in Digital Sound, in addition to the simple analogue versions. Here are two versions: ref. 1383 304, CFZe 4/4 nº1004, in light grey and white, prior to 1956, and ref. 1383 392, the X 22 unit in oxyde red, service version from 1956 to the late 1960s. These models, reviewed previously, are still as finely engraved and feature elegant original liveries that differ from the earlier versions. The added bonus is now the sound function with an ESU LokSound V5 Next 18 NEM 662 decoder, producing good quality and varied sounds. These units run beautifully, and they have reversible lighting: three white lights at the front and one at the rear. Jacques Royan BEMO PRICE OBSERVED: ANALOGUE 330€. DIGITAL SOUND 427€. H0-12…

Bemo has produced a new version of the RhB self-propelled van De 2/2 151 built by SIG and Alioth in 1909. It is supplied in its 1962 to 1980 livery (its body was completely metallized that year), with a wooden body, painted in oxyde red. An overhaul date is indicated: 26th August 1974. The model is neatly reproduced, with an uncommon double bow pantograph. Running qualities are as good as ever, especially with the ESU decoder factory-fitted to this reference. The lighting is reversible: three white LED lamps at the front and one white one at the rear right-hand side, as specified by Swiss regulations. The model is fitted with a digital Next 18 NEM 662 socket. Jacques Royan BEMO REF. 1377 125 RECOMMENDED PRICE: CA. 620€. H0-12…

Under ref. 02947, Tillig has just released a new version of this charming little 4-wheeler railcar. But this time, fitted with a gasifier, very much in evidence at one end. This railcar was built by Orenstein & Koppel and Gotha in 1939, and was fitted with a gasifier in 1942. Weighing 8.1t, with one single axle driven by a 70hp Daimler Benz motor, it could run at 55 kp/h. It was able to haul a bogie carriage. It ran on the MEG network that was connected with the Strasbourg tram system via Kehl. This railcar has been preserved, without the gasifier unit of course, and is currently being restored. The unit runs smoothly and its speed is realistic. It is fitted with a digital Next 18 NEM 662 socket. Its…

This tractor was built to modernize one of the narrow gauge lines that surrounded Vienna. Sadly, it arrived too late and was unable to slow down the closure processs. Now preserved, it hauls the BBÖ tourist trains. The Halling model, while it features the Wienerwald Railway livery, is actually an adaptation of another reference from the same manufacturer. The running qualities are in line with the brand’s high standards. Franç (based on Halling documentation) HALLING MODELLE REF. 207002 PRICE: 249€ H0-9…

The second run of the first series of CFD wagons in H0-12/H0-9 provided an opportunity for REE to correct a « youthful mistake» on these very attractive models, the very first items of metre gauge stock ever produced by an industrial manufacturer. These small wagons are now supplied with two pairs of loop couplings. The first, which was already found on the first run, locates the coupling level with the buffer beam. On the other hand, the design of the metal loop has been modified and allows the wagons to be coupled «flat» without one of the loops raisng and interfering with the coupling process. In this configuration, the REE models are compatible with the historic Gécomodel and Mougel productions. The second pair of couplings are below the level of…