Handeck-in-Haslital...Grimselbahn in HOm

[DIW]

This is a short description of the start of my current project, which is an HOm model (HO scale representing metre gauge) set in the Grimsel Pass  area of Switzerland.

 

First, a very brief history of railway considerations in the Grimsel.

 

In 1905 a metre gauge line was proposed from Meiringen to the Furka Oberalp line at Gletsch to link together the then major tourist centres of Meiringen and Zermatt.

History shows that the Grimselbahn (as it was then known) was not built, however a route map was shown in the Schweizerische Bauzeitung, traced on the Swiss equivalent of an Ordnance Survey map. I copied this route as a trace on the Google Earth image of the area, in order to decide where best to geographically locate the model.

In the upper section of the Haslital near Handeck is a wide-ish short plain where water cascaded into the Haslital from the mountains on the eastern side. These days there is a dam which forms the Gelmersee, so that water does not cascade down into the plain. but is piped to a generating station below the moraine which forms the lower end of the plain. My model is located at Handeck.

 

Here's a plan.

 

 

The plan includes a spiral for bringing trains down to the fiddle yard from the upper level, to permit continuous running. According to the supplier of the spiral, the two tracks correspond to Fleischmann radius 1 and radius 2.

The maximum gradient is 1 in 20, as determined using the technique described by Paul RhB (use a straight piece of track on a slope,  the weakest loco, one coach more than the design train length [to simulate the effect of the corners], and see how steep the track can get and still allow the train to start).

 

The plan was drawn in Visio, so by using layers I could add the legs:

 

 

And then hide the track and scenery to provide the drawing of the structural items:

 

This gave me the information from which to determine the quantity of baseboard frames (18mm ply) and timber (48mmx22mm) to buy.

One or two dry spells last summer gave me the chance to dash outside and cut timber to length (didn't want all that sawdust in the garage), and to assemble the 'kit' into the basic baseboard set:

 

 

The height of the layout is low enough that wheelchair-bound viewers will still see what is happening, which also means that youngsters can also see without needing to be carried or to stand on stools.

Edited June 29, 2022 by DIW
Re-inserted pictures

[Mike at C&M]

An area of the world I love, and knowing it reasonably well, I can visualise the route proposed.

 

Looking forward to this developing.

[PaulRhB]

That's a impressive looking frame too, I still just roughly add it up

[DIW]

As for the Fleischmann R1: that's actually 25cm (10") The next one up is 36cm. As long time Bemo rider, I'd suggest to stick to track from Peco, it's more durable and can withstand exhibition use much better then Bemo's own offering   Sadly, rack track is only available from Bemo (HRF is way, way to pricey ;swoon: )

You're right; they are Fleischmann R2 and R3, not R1 and R2. I'll correct that.

 

EDIT 12 March - now put back as R1 and R2, ref. my post (presently #11) of 12 March.

 

 

Epic build in the making Mind that Bemo advises 400mm radius as minimum for their rack sections. Given Gletsch was the FO junction station and the Interlaken-Meiringen-Innertkirchen section didn't (and still don't) have rack sections on them, it's likely this railway would have used the Abt rack system quite frequently, like the then BVZ did/does between Zermatt and Visp. The Brienz-Meiringen section is actually known as the "Rennstrecke" (race track) of the SBB Brünig, now ZB.

 

 

You are forcing me to write stuff out of a sensible order, but here goes.....

The Grimselbahn route in 1905 used a couple of fields full of 180 deg turns to gain height, so that it could be built as adhesion all the way. Accordingly, in my little world it is perfectly reasonable for both SBB Bruenig and FO locomotives to operate on the line in addition to Grimselbahn stock. However I have considered the difference between operating voltages of the real systems (15kV SBB, 11kV FO) and have a perfectly reasonable argument for how it will all work. I need first to find where I read the information which allows my assumption; note that above I have indicated the sources of all the information I used.

 

I'd suggest to stick to track from Peco, it's more durable and can withstand exhibition use much better then Bemo's own offering Sadly, rack track is only available from Bemo (HRF is way, way to pricey ;swoon: )

 

Again you are forcing my hand. The story so far has only brought us as far as the second not-at-work sunny day of summer 2015. I have used Peco, but the reasons why will be explained later.

 

 

Edited April 11, 2016 by DIW

[DIW]

Here is a bit more information on the 1905 proposal to link Meiringen and Gletch. Here is an annotated screenshot of the Google Earth view of the region (I've checked with Andy Y that it is OK to upload this annotated screenshot).

 

The line was designed to be adhesion only, and to be steam operated. The extra expense of longer trackbed compared with a shorter, rack assisted route was more than offset by the savings in locomotive costs and maintenance of both track and locomotives.

 

The route is now seen to pass through the Raeterichbodensee. This is an artificial lake for hydro-electric generation, and was not in existence in 1905.

 

A further dam was built near Handeck, high up on the side of the Haslital, to create the Gelmersee. To gain access to the site for men and materials, a funicular was built, then abandoned when the construction was completed. This has been restored and now operates as a tourist attraction, billed as the steepest funicular in Europe (source - Grimselwelt website).

 

 

The adhesion-only aspect of the line means that neither the SBB Bruenig nor the Furka Oberalp locomotives need be excluded for reasons of rack compatibility.The FO uses Abt rack, while the Bruenig uses Riggenbach.

Edited June 29, 2022 by DIW

[DIW]

Here is a brief note about the frames and trackbed - can't really call them baseboards with an open frame construction. As noted above, the frame sides were cut from 18mm ply. The three frames which form the frontage are 900mm wide and 1000mm deep, and the spiral frame is 1000mm wide and 800mm deep, with a further 200mm protruding to connect the spiral to the main track area.

 

 

Several weeks later, the track base was attached to the frames. Cork matting had been added, and points were marked out.

 

 

 

 

The track areas behind the scenes were left with plain cork, while a couple of coats of grey paint were applied to the viewable area. This paint prevents the track base showing through in the event of ballast being knocked off in transit.

 

 

The spiral was purchased from a manufacturer in Germany. Several manufacturers advertise their wares on Ebay, in varying radii (but based on appropriate Fleischmann and Maerklin set track dimensions). Mine was about £28 plus delivery for a double track double spiral, including all the threaded rod, nuts and screws. All I needed to buy in addition was a packet of captive nuts to install the threaded rod in the open frame. [EDIT 11 March - spiral cost £28 plus delivery, see post #11]

 

 

 

The track used is Peco. there are 3 points on the station frontage, and 8 behind the scenes.

 

I had bought a job lot of Bemo points, and one each of straight / curved / left / right (4 points) of the Peco versions. The Peco points seem more robust while the Bemo ones looked less shiny, more like something which has been in place for a few years. Then I was fortunate enough to see the Baerental layout, and was rather impressed with the way that the track had been presented. The operator told me that it was all Peco. So from that I was happy that the Peco track could be suitably altered in appearance. I was pleased with that conclusion; the Peco product is one which I have been happy with over the years.

 

The Bemo points were sold off, around 22 yards of HOm Streamline and the remaining 7 Peco points were gradually obtained as and when bargains became available.

 

Track laying and painting - that's for another instalment! (I've done it, but I haven't got the pictures yet).

Edited June 29, 2022 by DIW

[Alan Kettlewell]

Seems we're on similar missions.  I'll enjoy following your build, keep up the good work.

Regards

Alan

[bgman]

Good morning,

I too have just picked up this build and will watch with great interest. I've been contemplating the use of a helix too and noted a couple on flee-bay (sic) may I ask where you obtained yours from please. There is a German seller who seems quite reasonable with the sizes mainly based upon set track radii.

Most enjoyable so far.

G

[Allegheny1600]

 

 Mine was about £25 delivered for a double track double spiral for Fleischmann radius 2 and radius 3, including all the threaded rod, nuts and screws. All I needed to buy in addition was a packet of captive nuts to install the threaded rod in the open frame.

Good grief!

That's cheap! When you think what some of the "profesional" layout builders in this country want to charge.

This looks to be another fascinating layout too, I shall enjoy watching you already impressive progress.

Cheers,

John.

[DIW]

Good morning,

I too have just picked up this build and will watch with great interest. I've been contemplating the use of a helix too and noted a couple on flee-bay (sic) may I ask where you obtained yours from please. There is a German seller who seems quite reasonable with the sizes mainly based upon set track radii.

Most enjoyable so far.

G

 

 

Good grief!

That's cheap! When you think what some of the "profesional" layout builders in this country want to charge.

This looks to be another fascinating layout too, I shall enjoy watching you already impressive progress.

Cheers,

John.

 

I have had a trawl through my email archives and found the relevant information.

 

This is the spiral I bought - it seems to be much more expensive now! It was £28.21 when I bought it last August, and the P&P brought the total up to just under £41.

 

I see that my original words about it being R1 and R2 were correct; I'll have to go back and re-edit my first post.

 

Dave

[Alan Kettlewell]

More spirals here:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/hahotec-holztechnik

 

Had these in my eBay watch list for a while but then my Yorkshire trait of 'short arms - deep pockets' took over and I decided to have a go at making my own. I found it enjoyable mixing a bit of maths with the structural work.

Alan

[bgman]

I have had a trawl through my email archives and found the relevant information.

 

This is the spiral I bought - it seems to be much more expensive now! It was £28.21 when I bought it last August, and the P&P brought the total up to just under £41.

 

I see that my original words about it being R1 and R2 were correct; I'll have to go back and re-edit my first post.

 

Dave

Hi Dave

Thanks for that, they're the exact ones I've been eyeing up, and seem to be well worth the money, despite wanting to support "home grown" stuff at that price I think I will be ordering from his site.

Cheers for the info.

Grahame

[Frutigen]

It seems the Swiss authorities don't want to be left behind by this excellent layout and they are now talking about funding the line at last. Sadly it will mainly be in tunnel so the model will be far more interesting.

 

There's a project website in German at grimselbahn.ch or you can read a short piece about the proposal in the current issue of Today's Railways Europe.

Edited April 1, 2016 by Frutigen

[MartinB]

I have had a trawl through my email archives and found the relevant information.

 

This is the spiral I bought - it seems to be much more expensive now! It was £28.21 when I bought it last August, and the P&P brought the total up to just under £41.

 

I see that my original words about it being R1 and R2 were correct; I'll have to go back and re-edit my first post.

 

Dave

Resurrecting an old thread...

 

Even with the higher prices theses are good value compared to some other manufacturers......I'll be ordering 2 and possibly 3, it will save me a huge amount of time

[MartinB]

Resurrecting an old thread...

Even with the higher prices theses are good value compared to some other manufacturers......I'll be ordering 2 and possibly 3, it will save me a huge amount of time

Ordered 3. 1150mm diameter which should be enough for my plans. It seems the price depending on the example can be quite variable and given the price of the material where I am, the price is pretty reasonable. Postage for 3 was 30€.....looking forward to them arriving

[Satan's Goldfish]

Was there any further progress with this layout? it looked promising.

[DIW]

Was there any further progress with this layout? it looked promising.

 

Hello,

 

This topic was continued on Modellers United.

 

With the demise of that forum, I'm considering whether to post about the layout back here again or whether to continue it on Model Rail Forum.

 

Many thanks for your interest.

 

Dave

[Satan's Goldfish]

Bring it back here but then I'm slightly biased! Interesting reading regarding SBB Deh4/6 being able to run under 11kv wires as it's the minimum spec for 15kv feeds. With the power station being at the bottom of the valley (just up from Meringen) that should ensure a steady 11kv supply for your fictional line.

[DIW]

Over the last months, I have created some stock 'belonging' to the Grimselbahn, to supplement that of the Brunig and Furka Oberalp. Here is a quick couple of pictures;

 

First, a motorcoach:

 

 

Then, an advertisement coach for the rock crystal enterprises in the Grimsel area:

 

 

More detailed descriptions will follow as time permits later on.

Edited June 29, 2022 by DIW
Pictures re-uploaded

[DIW]

Now a bit more detail regarding the Grimselbahn stock shown in the previous post. The triebwagen started as a Bemo 1265 111 Rhätischen Bahn Triebwagen number 501 and came out of the factory looking similar to this but in an older livery and with corridor connectors on the end doors.  Its original RhB logo had been neatly covered over with a nondescript generic sign, and it therefore didn’t attract as high a bid in the auction site as it would have done.

 

When I removed the logo and found the RhB one underneath, I considered that in order to retain the item’s resale value, I ought to make sure that changes I make should be reversible. Hence I started to experiment with using transfers to cover the whole side, rather than to spray over the model with a different colour. The technique lends itself to the body style of the Swiss prototype, due to the lack of panelling, and with the doors detachable.

I used Visio to create a diagram of the required colour, with suitable font for the logo:

 

 

 

This was printed onto a piece of white transfer paper, cut down to A5 size. (I found that the printer needed to be told that the paper was glossy photo stock, or else ‘banding’ would appear on the print).

The transfer paper was left to dry for a day, then three coats of Testor’s Dullcoat were applied to seal the ink against the waterslide water.

The transfer paper was cut and applied to the bodywork in sections, with a day of drying between overlaps. When the application was completed, more coats of Dullcoat were applied to the model to give protection against handling.

 

 

 

 

When I later produced the coach, I took plenty of photos so that the stages are illustrated. So, on to the coach.

 

The coach used for the project was an unboxed Bemo Furka Oberalp 2^nd class coach number B4268, because I had a spare one. It was bought as part of a collection, and didn’t attract any bids when starting at a price to cover the postage. The other carriages (with the ‘magic’ RhB logos) sold easily!

 

Here is a picture of a similar coach, which I had previously obtained and populated:

 

 

The project coach was dismantled, including all the doors and windows:

 

 

 

Measurements were taken of the coach, and drawings of the coach outline to these dimensions was superimposed on its own layer onto the Visio drawing of the blue background.

 

 

 

Photographs of rock crystal were opened in Gimp:

 

 

 

The picture background was deleted to transparent. When this was imported to Visio, Visio read the background as white (I’ve seen this with other imports into Visio); so back to Gimp where a blue layer was created, the same blue as the coach, behind the crystal. The transparent part now showed the blue, and this was imported in to Visio.

 

 

 

Various other photos of crystal were similarly treated, then the individual ‘blued’ pictures were resized, duplicated, stretched and mirrored as appropriate to create a suitable pattern. The pattern was added to the Visio blue background, suitably located according to the dimension drawings of the coach. Appropriate text was created and added. The final result was:

 

 

 

Finally, the layer with the coach outline was hidden, resulting in a suitable pattern to print onto white transfer paper at A5:

 

 

 

Note - in Visio there are separate check boxes per layer to switch the layer on and off for the drawing as seen on the screen, and the drawing as sent to the printer.

The printed transfer paper was (as before) sealed with three light coats of Testor’s Dullcoat.

The transfer paper was then ready to be cut up for use in covering the coach.

 

I started with the tricky little bits at the ends:

 

 

 

 

Each part is given at least a day to dry before being overlapped. With the ends and the tops of the doors completed, the coach was ready for the large side panel to be applied:

 

 

 

 

When that has dried, three coats of Dullcoat were applied to offer strength against handling.

After another day to harden, the end doors, side doors, roof and door glazing were put back in place.

 

 

 

The seats were painted:

 

 

 

Figures were added to the seats, then the main glazing was fitted, followed by the seat unit which holds the glazing in place. Finally the steps, floor and wheels were fitted:

 

 

 

.....and that was it!

Edited June 29, 2022 by DIW
Uploaded pictures

[JimFin]

As and when you need more decal paper, you might want to try Lazertran Inkjet waterslide decal paper which I got from a guy in Northallerton but online as well. Two advantages - 1) the coating "heals" over the ink and they can be ready to use as waterslides in about 30 minutes, basically s soon as the ink is dry. 2) After you have applied the decal, coat with a water based (acrylic) varnish to retain a white background, use a oil or spirit based varnish to get a clear background. I have used both effects and can confirm it works!

[Salmotrutta]

Now a bit more detail regarding the Grimselbahn stock shown in the previous post. The triebwagen started as a Bemo 1265 111 Rhätischen Bahn Triebwagen number 501 and came out of the factory looking similar to this but in an older livery and with corridor connectors on the end doors.  Its original RhB logo had been neatly covered over with a nondescript generic sign, and it therefore didn’t attract as high a bid in the auction site as it would have done.

 

When I removed the logo and found the RhB one underneath, I considered that in order to retain the item’s resale value, I ought to make sure that changes I make should be reversible. Hence I started to experiment with using transfers to cover the whole side, rather than to spray over the model with a different colour. The technique lends itself to the body style of the Swiss prototype, due to the lack of panelling, and with the doors detachable.

I used Visio to create a diagram of the required colour, with suitable font for the logo:

 

Plain blue with Logo.JPG

 

 

This was printed onto a piece of white transfer paper, cut down to A5 size. (I found that the printer needed to be told that the paper was glossy photo stock, or else ‘banding’ would appear on the print).

The transfer paper was left to dry for a day, then three coats of Testor’s Dullcoat were applied to seal the ink against the waterslide water.

The transfer paper was cut and applied to the bodywork in sections, with a day of drying between overlaps. When the application was completed, more coats of Dullcoat were applied to the model to give protection against handling.

 

DSCF1395.JPG

 

DSCF1397.JPG

 

 

When I later produced the coach, I took plenty of photos so that the stages are illustrated. So, on to the coach.

 

The coach used for the project was an unboxed Bemo Furka Oberalp 2^nd class coach number B4268, because I had a spare one. It was bought as part of a collection, and didn’t attract any bids when starting at a price to cover the postage. The other carriages (with the ‘magic’ RhB logos) sold easily!

 

Here is a picture of a similar coach, which I had previously obtained and populated:

 

DSCN6810.JPG

 

 

The project coach was dismantled, including all the doors and windows:

 

DSCN6812.JPG

 

 

Measurements were taken of the coach, and drawings of the coach outline to these dimensions was superimposed on its own layer onto the Visio drawing of the blue background.

 

Plain blue with coach outline.JPG

 

 

Photographs of rock crystal were opened in Gimp:

 

Crystal photo.jpg

 

 

The picture background was deleted to transparent. When this was imported to Visio, Visio read the background as white (I’ve seen this with other imports into Visio); so back to Gimp where a blue layer was created, the same blue as the coach, behind the crystal. The transparent part now showed the blue, and this was imported in to Visio.

 

Crystal photo no background.jpg

 

 

Various other photos of crystal were similarly treated, then the individual ‘blued’ pictures were resized, duplicated, stretched and mirrored as appropriate to create a suitable pattern. The pattern was added to the Visio blue background, suitably located according to the dimension drawings of the coach. Appropriate text was created and added. The final result was:

 

Crystal world coach pattern with coach outline.JPG

 

 

Finally, the layer with the coach outline was hidden, resulting in a suitable pattern to print onto white transfer paper at A5:

 

Crystal world coach graphics.JPG

 

 

Note - in Visio there are separate check boxes per layer to switch the layer on and off for the drawing as seen on the screen, and the drawing as sent to the printer.

The printed transfer paper was (as before) sealed with three light coats of Testor’s Dullcoat.

The transfer paper was then ready to be cut up for use in covering the coach.

 

I started with the tricky little bits at the ends:

 

DSCN6813.JPG

 

DSCN6829.JPG

 

 

Each part is given at least a day to dry before being overlapped. With the ends and the tops of the doors completed, the coach was ready for the large side panel to be applied:

 

DSCN6842.JPG

 

DSCN6848.JPG

 

 

When that has dried, three coats of Dullcoat were applied to offer strength against handling.

After another day to harden, the end doors, side doors, roof and door glazing were put back in place.

 

DSCN6849.JPG

 

 

The seats were painted:

 

DSCN6850.JPG

 

 

Figures were added to the seats, then the main glazing was fitted, followed by the seat unit which holds the glazing in place. Finally the steps, floor and wheels were fitted:

 

DSCN6852.JPG

 

DSCN6853.JPG

 

.....and that was it!

So you are doing the "vinyl wrap" but in miniature! To say I'm impressed is an understatement!

[DIW]

On 14/01/2019 at 19:26, Salmotrutta said:

So you are doing the "vinyl wrap" but in miniature! To say I'm impressed is an understatement!

I've had a go at using inkjet printed vinyl overlays too, on my project to create some of the Berner Oberland Bahn coaches in the yellow-blue livery.

 

I found difficulty in getting a good finish at the curved ends of the carriages compared to the waterslide method, due to the thickness of the vinyl sheet compared to the waterslide sheet. The carriages are now completed in the waterslide wrapping.

Edited June 29, 2022 by DIW