Portugese Railways/modelling

[Northroader]

32mm or ?????

[Devonbelle]

On 19/10/2022 at 16:47, Northroader said:

32mm or ?????

 

32mm - for the reasons of my sanity. I have a Atlas Alco which will become a CPclass 1500 and a Bachmann Brassworks shunter will be reworked into a CP Drewry shunter. Plus I have sketched up a General Arrangement of a CP1400 loco; trying to overcome the fact 32mm will represent 5ft6ins. Below is a picture at Regua 3 weeks ago, as I headed up to Pochino in loco and coaches. 

 

 

[Northroader]

Very nice, too, your fancy is quite understandable. Looking at this thread and others, there’s some really nice skilful Iberian layouts being done in standard gauge, to the extent that I’m very tempted to try it myself.

Afraid I can’t make Winchester for a chat this year, one thing and another, so good luck with the new venture. Really auspicious time to start it, next Friday, October 28th, is the feast of San Judas Tadeo!

[Rick_Skateboard]

On 14/10/2022 at 14:10, Rick_Skateboard said:

I've got a drawing in front of me that says it should be 3000mm wide over the bufferbeams, 3260mm over the widest part (cab steps?), and 2000mm between buffer centres.   I'm assuming the models are 1:87 scale, which would make it 34.48mm over the bufferbeam, 37.47mm over the cab steps, and 22.98mm between buffer centres.  I'd be interested to see how the model sizes up to that?

 

I couldn't help myself, and I've now got a Sudexpress 1400 in my collection.  

 

 

In terms of measurements it comes up virtually spot on at 34.6mm wide, and although the steps might be ever so slightly undernurished they add about another 1mm either side.  I bought a DCC sound fitted one, and it comes with a Loksound v5.  I think there's room for improvement on the factory fitted speaker, and I've ordered a replacment.    

 

Cheers,

 

Rick

[Mol_PMB]

On 27/02/2014 at 08:03, gridwatcher said:

Here is a signature train for Campo De Leste...the Douro mixed freight. Grain, flats and cement at Godim Loco is 1962

 

This is a great photo, though it's not at Godim, which is not electrified. It is the train from Godim though.

It raises a two-part question: how far up the Douro line did the grain traffic run, and when did it cease?

I know cement previously went to Pocinho and Godim, now only to Godim.

I've seen several photos of the Douro line cement train conveying grain hoppers, including the one above, and for example the following two linked from Flickr which show the train at Cete and Marco de Canaveses. These locations are on the western part of the line where it runs north of the Tamega River rather than along the Douro; this part is now electrified.

But none of the photos I've seen show the grain hoppers in the Douro Valley itself, and there's not much grain grown in the region (mostly grapes and olives). Did they only go as far as Marco de Canaveses?

Or are the grain hoppers in use for a traffic other than grain?

Thanks,

Paul

(I know I'm quoting an old post here but maybe someone on the thread knows the answer!)

 

 

 

[Mol_PMB]

A partial answer to my post above, after some further research.

Grain traffic was to/from Marco de Canveses, the terminal seen here, rather than further up the Douro line:

It ran in the 2008 to 2013 period at least.

Paul

[159220]

On 06/12/2022 at 10:50, Rick_Skateboard said:

 

I couldn't help myself, and I've now got a Sudexpress 1400 in my collection.  

 

 

In terms of measurements it comes up virtually spot on at 34.6mm wide, and although the steps might be ever so slightly undernurished they add about another 1mm either side.  I bought a DCC sound fitted one, and it comes with a Loksound v5.  I think there's room for improvement on the factory fitted speaker, and I've ordered a replacment.    

 

Cheers,

 

Rick

Where did you get from? I thought they had sold out in Portugal earlier in the summer. I did not realise until October that she's still operational with Medway, too late to buy :( 

[159220]

Sudexpress 2023-24 is out! So many Euro's to choose from...and all the 1400s you'd ever want! 

Shame to see the Medway Sgnss have disappeared (I have asked Armando why) and I had hoped for a re-release of the Cimpor Uacs (or were these Norbasss?). Anyway, if you might be disappointed with Hornby or Bachmann this year...Sudexpress delights! 

 

https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/read/67520516/sudexpress-novelties-2023-2024

[Mol_PMB]

4 hours ago, 159220 said:

Sudexpress 2023-24 is out! So many Euro's to choose from...and all the 1400s you'd ever want! 

Shame to see the Medway Sgnss have disappeared (I have asked Armando why) and I had hoped for a re-release of the Cimpor Uacs (or were these Norbasss?). Anyway, if you might be disappointed with Hornby or Bachmann this year...Sudexpress delights! 

 

https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/read/67520516/sudexpress-novelties-2023-2024

It's nice to see some more 1400s advertised. They are currently available in Medway black/yellow from modelrailway.pt, and from several suppliers in the past-its-sellby-date Somafel yellow (the real thing has been repainted since) but these can be quite cheap if you fancy doing a repaint. But orange and/or blue are surely the more popular options. Note that the advertised 1455 is in the present blue livery, a good choice but not entirely authentic to the original 1960s livery. We'll wait and see when they actually appear!

I'd love to see another batch of Cimpor Uacs too,

The Sorefame carriages listed include some sets long out-of-stock and unavailable, which is odd. I understand that there won't be any more of these, so grab what you want before it's too late.

The Schindlers are still only shown with line drawings, hopefully these won't be too much longer (they were first advertised 8 years ago!)

The 2021-22 catalogue listed 1900s but these are no longer shown, perhaps because Arlo Micromodel has been producing these, and is working on a 1960 too...

 

 

 

[159220]

The Medway 1400 from Modelrailway.pt are re-paints, which has put me off, so I am delighted Armando has taken the plunge and released an RTR Medway 1400. 1465 and 1422 were released in Medways awesome black last year too, more to come this year. An excuse to buy two of the Medway 1446 and renumber...I think yes! 

Ah I would have preferred 1413 or 1424 in blue, but I suspect 1455 is more of a modern celeb with the Presidential. Plus 1455 shall match Schindler 1231 in dark blue? I know, I can dream of 2025-2026 release for that one! 

Please to hear I am not alone in wanting Cimpor Uacs! Hopefully 2025-2026! 

I saw an EP of the Schindlers in Continental Railways last March, IDK am I allowed to post here. I suspect credit to Armando at Sudexpress. So hopefully released this year?!

BTW the 1900s are now a Norbrass project (officially dropped from Sudexpress range), looking spectacular for brass, both Medway liveries planned...so that's a couple grand spent! - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=505029781625973&set=pcb.505030081625943 

 

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks for the info.

I've got a Medway 1400 and until you mentioned it, I wouldn't have known it was a repaint. Looks pretty smart.

I believe EE 1404 may be the next one to come out in Medway black.

 

1455 ought to match the blue Schindler as seen here (1413 and 1424 are a distinctly lighter shade).

 

The as-delivered blue scheme on the 1400s was different in several ways:

• Black solebars
• No white light surrounds
• Silver exhaust cowl
• No cabside numbers
• Possibly the white stripe was slightly off-white - I'm less sure about this.

I gather the 1200s may have been abandoned as a Sudexpress project too?

 

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Mol_PMB]

On 13/02/2023 at 22:03, 159220 said:

The Medway 1400 from Modelrailway.pt are re-paints, which has put me off, so I am delighted Armando has taken the plunge and released an RTR Medway 1400.

 

Here's a quick pic of my Modelrailway.pt 1446, as supplied (I've not added any detail parts yet). As with the real thing, the livery is difficult to photograph! It's nicely rendered on the model though, the yellow is more intense on the model than it appears in this photo.

I think with a little weathering it will look better, the real ones look unrealistically clean at the moment too!

 

[Mol_PMB]

On this little Portuguese HO scale modelling whim of mine, here's the first completed cement bubble. First, the prototype, snapped from a passing train:

 

The model, from the same side:

And the other side:

This is based on the Electrotren RTR model, with added detailing. I designed a custom etch for the catwalks etc which was produced for me by 4D Modelshop, and custom transfers from Precision Labels. Thanks to Iain and John respectively for those.

Other modifications include the brake gear, the lifting points and ferry tie-downs, followed by a heavy dose of weathering.

 

Lurking in the background is the next vehicle for the cement train, this time a mashup of two different Electrotren wagons and some more custom etches. Watch this space...

 

I've got some more etches and transfers for some more of both types.

[Mol_PMB]

Here are a couple of photos of the next cement wagon, now complete and weathered. In the background are the two donor vehicles (well, these are the donors for the next one).

The underframe and bogies are from the well-known Uacs wagon model from Electrotren, but the shorter tank comes from a much older Electrotren model available in 4-wheel or 6-wheel variants. As well as being shorter, the old tank has a slightly different shape, which is why I decided to mash up the two models rather than just shorten the tank from the Uacs. Custom etched parts were used for the large reinforcing brackets and the walkways, and other parts scratchbuilt from odds and ends.

 

When you look at these Uacs tanks in detail, there are a host of variants. This one has end discharge, but some had bottom discharge. This has German bogies but some had Y-series bogies. They were build vacuum-braked and the air brake conversions have a variety of configurations. The two wagons in the background will be combined into another model with some of those differences.

[Mol_PMB]

On 13/02/2023 at 22:03, 159220 said:

8><

Please to hear I am not alone in wanting Cimpor Uacs!

8><

Hopefully 2025-2026! BTW the 1900s are now a Norbrass project (officially dropped from Sudexpress range), looking spectacular for brass, both Medway liveries planned...so that's a couple grand spent!

 

On my recent trip I noticed a Cimpor Uacs getting a new livery, so maybe there's a reason for SudExpress to do another run of them? Though I would want the old livery myself.

(apologies for the poor quality image, it was a grab shot from a passing train)

 

On my recent trip I also arranged to visit the Arlo Micromodel workshop in Porto. Andre and his brother were extremely welcoming and showed off their current and future projects.

I came away with several things including a lovely model of 1905 with DCC sound. OK, it's not a metal Norbrass one but it's beautifully detailed, runs well, sounds good and has a great range of DCC lighting and sound functions. And probably about a third of the price of the Norbrass locos. Here's a very quick snap with the phone camera, I'll get some better photos of my model in due course:

All the 1900s (and 1930s) produced by Arlo to date have been orange, but they had a couple of yellow bodyshells in the paint booth so there are clear intentions towards producing 1903. I understand they are in discussion with Medway for permission to use their logos.

 

Hope that's of interest. I might start my own thread for my growing Portuguese whim...

Mol

 

 

[TEAMYAKIMA]

On 15/03/2023 at 19:33, Mol_PMB said:

On this little Portuguese HO scale modelling whim of mine, here's the first completed cement bubble. First, the prototype, snapped from a passing train:

 

The model, from the same side:

And the other side:

This is based on the Electrotren RTR model, with added detailing. I designed a custom etch for the catwalks etc which was produced for me by 4D Modelshop, and custom transfers from Precision Labels. Thanks to Iain and John respectively for those.

Other modifications include the brake gear, the lifting points and ferry tie-downs, followed by a heavy dose of weathering.

 

Lurking in the background is the next vehicle for the cement train, this time a mashup of two different Electrotren wagons and some more custom etches. Watch this space...

 

I've got some more etches and transfers for some more of both types.

 

Absolutely brilliant weathering!

 

With so much excellent 'foreign' modelling going on here, there and everywhere it's a pity that we can't have a proper foreign-only exhibition. I know the GRS do something (or at least have done somethings in the past) but I think they were one day shows and that doesn't suit big layouts which take a long time to set up. We would need a sponsor who likes foreign layouts - where's Rod Stewart when you need him?

Edited April 5, 2023 by TEAMYAKIMA

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks!

I don't have a Portuguese layout yet, maybe one day when I've finished the MSC and Swiss ones. Too many different whims!

I'd love to see your Chinese layout in the flesh - it looks superb in the photos and would be a great a reminder of many trips over there.

Cheers,

Mol

 

[159220]

On 16/02/2023 at 16:00, Mol_PMB said:

Here's a quick pic of my Modelrailway.pt 1446, 

 

 

On 15/03/2023 at 19:33, Mol_PMB said:

 

And the other side:

 

 

Excellent modelling! 

 

I have to say, the modelrailways.pt's Medway 1400 looks a far more professional respray than I had assumed. Still, academic now with Sudexpress releasing an RTR!

 

Your Transfesa Uacs look stunning! Wish I had four to mod, feel inspired! 

 

Have you shown Armando your Cimpor photo, might finally inspire Sudexpress to re-release as they simply do not come up for sale. Though I understand several numbers were released. 

[Mol_PMB]

On 09/04/2023 at 21:07, 159220 said:

Have you shown Armando your Cimpor photo, might finally inspire Sudexpress to re-release as they simply do not come up for sale. Though I understand several numbers were released. 

Many thanks! I'm not in touch with Armando, but you're very welcome to share my photo with him. I'm definitely interested in a couple of the Cimpor Uacs in original livery to add to my cement train, they would end up as heavily weathered as the Transfesa ones.

 

I took some of my CP stock to a friend's (UK-based) layout for some photos. Most of these are still fresh out-of-the-box and need some weathering to improve them.

The Arlo Micromodel 1905 ran really well and sounded superb. The sound project is really well done, much better than on the Sudexpress 1400s.

 

Thanks to @birdbath for the letting me visit 'Ponte Cao Guia'.

Mol

[159220]

Great photos @Mol_PMB!! I might have to re-think about the Arlo 1900 when/if they release a Medway version. Even though I would love a Norbrass 1900, no doubt it shall be around €1900! Not that I cannot afford, just that is a lot of port I could buy instead?! 

 

Are your 1400s sound fitted? Is the provided ESU speaker 'basey' enough or have you managed to fit a mega base or round enhanced base in there instead. Hard to know if space from the guide. (Ill easily answer for myself come later this year with all the new 1400s arriving!)

[D6775]

Having jut come back from my first visit to Portugal and the Duoro Valley I have to admit if I could find a kit (No idea if there is on) I quite fancy a 7mm 1400.

 

[Mol_PMB]

On 28/04/2023 at 21:01, 159220 said:

Great photos @Mol_PMB!! I might have to re-think about the Arlo 1900 when/if they release a Medway version. Even though I would love a Norbrass 1900, no doubt it shall be around €1900! Not that I cannot afford, just that is a lot of port I could buy instead?! 

 

Are your 1400s sound fitted? Is the provided ESU speaker 'basey' enough or have you managed to fit a mega base or round enhanced base in there instead. Hard to know if space from the guide. (Ill easily answer for myself come later this year with all the new 1400s arriving!)

Thanks! I've weathered the 1900 now and it looks better than factory-fresh. I'll try and get some more pics in due course.

 

One of my 1400s has sound and it's a bit disappointing. The speaker isn't great and nor is the sound project.

In fact mine was supplied with rubbish 'generic' diesel sounds pre-loaded but even the 'proper' 1400 sounds (which can be provided by Sudexpress) aren't really up to the standard we now expect in the UK. The 1900 is miles better.

My third 1400 is a yellow one I acquired relatively cheaply, and I'm currently hacking that about to fit a better speaker and some other enhancements including illuminated number boards (it will be outshopped in blue eventually).

There's not a lot of space inside at all, most of the bonnet and under-cab space is full of motor, driveshafts and electronics.

I've managed to fit a 20x20x7mm speaker in the top of the short bonnet with it encroaching slightly into the cab but I don't think it will be too obvious once I've reinstated the cab seats, desks etc.

I think the same speaker could alternatively / additionally be fitted between the battery boxes on the underframe. It would be directly beneath the motor and I'm not sure whether there would be any electromagnetic interference?

Certainly statically the speaker doesn't want to stay put in some orientations - the motor and speaker magnets repel each other. I'm not sure if this would be a problem for the sound - perhaps someone can advise?

I might try using two of these speakers, one in each location?

 

As for the sound project, @Rick_Skateboard has made some recordings of the 1400s in service and is considering creating an improved version. Hopefully I can persuade him to actually do that! Otherwise there's a gap in the market for a decent commercial version.

 

What have other people managed? I'd be interested to hear of different options.

 

[Mol_PMB]

On 30/04/2023 at 15:45, D6775 said:

Having jut come back from my first visit to Portugal and the Duoro Valley I have to admit if I could find a kit (No idea if there is on) I quite fancy a 7mm 1400.

Nice pic! I normally model in 7mm but couldn't find anything Portuguese in that scale, so went for 3.5mm instead. Fortunately I can take my models visiting to friends' layouts of the right gauge!

I had ideas about a heavy rebuild of a 7mm scale class 20, but when you compare the drawings pretty much every dimension is different. It's a scratch-build job.

There are some O gauge wagons that could be modified to represent CP types. And by pure fluke, the Lima O gauge 'Grill Express' coach is a type of which some were sold to CP!

Edited May 2, 2023 by Mol_PMB
Note about the Lima coach added for completeness.

[159220]

On 02/05/2023 at 16:32, Mol_PMB said:

One of my 1400s has sound and it's a bit disappointing. The speaker isn't great and nor is the sound project.

In fact mine was supplied with rubbish 'generic' diesel sounds pre-loaded but even the 'proper' 1400 sounds (which can be provided by Sudexpress) aren't really up to the standard we now expect in the UK.

 

I've managed to fit a 20x20x7mm speaker in the top of the short bonnet with it encroaching slightly into the cab but I don't think it will be too obvious once I've reinstated the cab seats, desks etc.

 

As for the sound project, @Rick_Skateboard has made some recordings of the 1400s in service and is considering creating an improved version. Hopefully I can persuade him to actually do that! Otherwise there's a gap in the market for a decent commercial version.

 

 

Super useful post, when my three arrive I shall certainly be fitting a 20x20x7 into the short bonnet! 

Is there a president for ESU re-recording locomotives as the technology/market moves forward? 

 

I see here on Modelrailway.pt a photo of the upcoming Schindlers. I do like how Modelrailway.pt promote the hobby yet I would never stop buying through the outstandingly welcoming and helpful Daniel at Espacial Livraria E Papelaria. 

 

2023 is going to be a golden year for modelling Portuguese railways!