MTH SNCF 231E locomotive
Darstaed CH SNCF OCEM B9 passenger car
Elettren SNCF UIC B10 passenger car
Elettren SNCF UIC Couchette passenger car
Fulgurex CIWL WR 3342
Lemaco SNCF OCEM C9 passenger car
Lemaco SNCF OCEM C4D passenger car with luggage compartment

Regards

Fred

The featured image shows one of the present modern diesel units at the Chemins de Fer du Sud/Chemin de Fer de Provence station in Nice.

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2025/10/15/the-nice-to-digne-line-again/

Please see other threads for more about this line, and other metre-gauge lines in Provence-Cote d'Azur, for example:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/131336-metre-gauge-railways-in-provence/?do=findComment&comment=3049724

I know that seeking 'authentic' paint colours can open a can of worms.

The colour photos I have of RB locomotives, taken in 1960s seem very unreliable for greens as they are undoubtedly kodachromes with very vivid reds.

Thanks

Here''s the concept sketch for Cogirep, drawn in about 2006:

The layout altered a bit during construction, but the finished article wasn't a million miles away from the concept, with the "grotty pond" being a central feature:

Inevitably one thing led to another and over the ensuing ten years, I've acquired a few more items of French railway equipment ...

far more than could ever be plausibly accommodated on this little layout. So, thoughts naturally turned to a sequel ... not a replacement

for Cogirep, which is still extant, but a possible extension with a more urban feel, allowing for larger locomotives and perhaps some

passenger workings.

Here's the concept for this next phase, then:

The "dream" was of a station, goods yard and connecting branch to Cogirep, all nestling amid attractive French town buildings,

all in a scenic area measuring 8 foot long by a shade under 1.5 feet wide. As a bonus, I also wanted to incorporate the

Faller car system, which had been intriguing me more and more.

The reality soon bit: unless I went for a more minimalist concept, it was all going to be unreasonably cramped. So, rather

than having a station, run around loop, connecting branch and so on, I settled on the idea of a large diorama in which the

operational possibilities are necessarily restricted, but with (I hope) scope for atmosphere and urban ambience aplenty. Having

operated not only Cogirep, but also the layouts of friends, I'm of the opinion that a low-key, minimalist operational set-up can

still provide plenty of entertainment in an exhibition context, provided the modelling's of a good standard and there's plenty

of atmosphere to soak up when the trains aren't doing much.

So I eventually whittled down my ambitions to a single track mainline, with a trailing connection to a small but ample goods

yard, of which the highlight is a characteristic Nord-style concrete goods shed. There's no run-around loop, and only three

sidings in the yard. However, with a sound-equipped loco pottering about moving wagons, while the occasional goods or

passenger train passes through on the main line, I reckon there should be just enough to sustain interest. The module

will be fed by two sets of storage sidings, one on either end, and unusually, there's an 1" elevation difference between

them, due to the contortions needed to get the mainline and road-system to co-exist.

Adding interest, the mainline enters the module to the left over an elegant bow-string bridge, crossing an urban river

and then vanishing behind a series of tall tenement buildings. As the mainline progresses to the right, the ambience

shifts from cozy cafes and hotels to a more run-down, seedy side of things, culminating in the area around the

goods yard.

I've made a head-start on many of the buildings, most of which feature interior detailing and illumination:

As for the layout itself, the boards, backscenes and lighting arrangements are already in place, as is much of the substructure for the tracks and road system. The road system is now in the process of being finished and thoroughly de-bugged before further construction continues. The layout - which still needs a name - is due to have its first outing later this year at Larkrail, and I hope to continue documenting the build between now and then. Fingers crossed it all goes well!

I am designing and building a 009 layout that will have a static 00 line based on WW1. I am looking for an ear 1 or early 2 French or German (may Belgium) loco to sit on the layout. 
 

I am don't need a runner but I am struggling to find the right loco's for this era to be able to start the search for purchasing one.

Any help appreciated. Thank you

I don't come over here very often as I model the GWR (esp. the Monogram period) or the Privatisation period and all in 00, despite now living in France. Before you say 'pushez-vous off', I should hastily add that @Andy Hayter and I met up at Meursault last Sunday to have a look at what is probably our first 'local' big show since Covid. Andy had a four hour drive just to get there, whereas mine was a leisurely saunt of 2 and half hours each way.

I took a few photos, but no notes, so my pictures of the layouts will have to remain un-named unless it appears in the photo, or Andy helps me out. I was very taken by the standard of the modelling - there weren't any N gauge, a few H0e, lots of H0 (as would be expected) and a couple in the larger scales, 0 and 1 - and weathering has started to appear on stock and buildings!

By the time we had had lunch, lots of the paying public had arrived and so the layouts weren't taken at their best advantage - but it it what it is. Shall we start?

^These I took as I was impressed by the quality of the landscaping. I couldn't work out what material had been used to re-create the concrete effect - but I thought it was good. Also, look! Knitting! Why are there so few UK modern image layouts with it?

^ This was a follow-on section of the first two where double track becomes one, using a short scenic break between the two modules.

I'll have to turn the page over as I've reached the upload limit. Back in a mo' ...............................

It is intended that the Group will provide a focus for modellers of SNCF, its forerunners, the private railways and enthusiasts of the French railways, as well as somewhere for anyone with a passing interest to see what is going on with French projects within the RMweb community.

Let's see how the Group evolves!

Cheers,

Dave

My first contact with French Railway was at Easter 1967 when I went on an exchange to stay with a French family in Paris.  Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me as when we stepped off the boat at Calais, two magnificent 141R's were on the head of our train from Calais Maritime.  They took us to Amiens, then an electric to Gare Du Nord where I saw plenty of 141T's operating the suburban services.  I rode quite a few French trains over the next 3 weeks and enjoyed them.  I also went to school and scout camp with my French host and learned to speak an understandable version of French.  This has now proved rather useful as we moved over here i 2018 and now live in Charente Maritime.  

After that visit in 1967 I didn't come to France till 1984 when, now married with two young children and another on the way we came over for 2 weeks in a tent at Quiberon in Southern Brittany. This has a branch line which comes off the main line to Brest along the south coast.  The branch seemed to be mainly main line trains, diesel hauled from the junction by class 674XX's

Another one is here.

This one is also in this set but may well be misplaced as I think it is at Les Sables D'Ollonne. with a 72XXX.  Now known to be72017 at Les Sables D'Olonne 22nd July 1988.

I will have to check that one.

Our next visit was in 1987 when we stayed at Guerande west of St Nazaire. I'm not sure where this EMU is but it could have been on our journey down at an overnight stop. I've now found that it's Z9607 and was at St Nazaire.

The nearest station to Guerande was Le Croisic which is the terminus of the electrified line from Paris via Tours, Nantes and St Nazaire, here a 222XX is backing onto it's stock ready for a return to Paris.  

All being well some more tomorrow 

Jamie

I made a small test order on my credit card and with Paypal and the correspondence I got back was very suspect. A shipping number that appears not to be able to be found, and a contact number which is a Whats App in Hong Kong. The site is recently registered and WHOIS has some stuff hidden. 

In the process of getting my cash back, (with the name of the website I am convinced the bank thought I had bought a different sort of adult toys) but caveat emptor etc.

Any of you who have had a different experience please do let me know.

Ian 

I'm going along by road from Newhaven and with a return ferry with car and tolls/petrol both sides totalling £155, I am quite chuffed with meself.

The Dieppe DFDS route remains exceptionally good value due to its subsidy. And having the car opens up some very cheap holiday home rentals out of town.

My question though, is: has anyone been before - and do they remember if there are any lists of small suppliers and traders published before the show? I'd like to plan and budget a bit for some buys (mainly scenics) but the organizing club has no details, and all the videos from prior years just focus on the layouts.

Thanks

Ian 

Can anyone give me a very quick overview on SNCF livery changes? I'm idly browsing eBay and various collectors market stalls and my eye keeps being caught by some French stock but I can't seem to make head nor tail of it.

It seems for steam locos they come in black - green/black with red lining - green/black with yellow lining. Diesels and Electrics come in black, blue or green. Are these pretty much a free-for all?

For carriages, looks like in general painted green with potentially some of the stainless steel or red painted steel carriages?

At this stage no plans for a layout, but I just thought it would be fun to collect some older Jouef/Rivarossi/Arnold/Acho stock for a future trainset and would like to get it roughly correct!

There’s a microsite with some useful historical info about the development of the TGV train and the LGV lines:

https://www.kato-special.com/kato-tgv-en

Worth a look if you’re interested!

Ian

The experts on here can no doubt fill in information that my few captions fail to provide, should they feel so inclined:

A couple of images of an Engerth loco, as I see it a very long-boiler 0-6-0 with most of the footplate area and the bunker accommodated on an articulated four wheeled portion at the rear.

Definitely not my usual pre 1941 UK steam theme, but I was struck by the resemblance of theis "Salt box" electric to the former NER Tyne qyayside locos.

An American built brake saloon on a surprisingly short bogie underframe.

More to follow, another time...

Jamie

Standardization of Horns on SNCF Locomotives When older electric and diesel locomotives, such as the CC 65500, BB 9200, BB 16000, CC 7100, 2D2 9100, and CC 65500, were equipped with standardized two-tone horns in 1970s and 1980s by swapping out their monotone horns, was this part of a deliberate SNCF standardization policy? Are there official documents or archives that clarify these decisions and the reasons for these modifications?

and some forums state that the adoption of twin tone horns on sncf locomotives and trains in the late 1960s and 1970s was influenced by english horns is it true and even the horn control was modified on sncf locomotives with the pneumatic valve replaced by a stick as seen on some uk locomotives and trains with forward for high pitched tone and backward for low pitched tone.

Kindly throw some light on this topic.

thanks

Built and owned by our Club Member, Graham Broad, in 2019 it won the Continental Modeller magazine Best Layout at the Warley show.

I thought it was about time to post a few pics.

Dave.

https://tvn24.pl/swiat/francja-polak-przejechal-500-km-trzymajac-sie-superszybkiego-pociagu-tgv-byl-w-stanie-hipotermii-st8455005?fbclid=IwY2xjawKNprJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsXDnARtrNpt_xguCc6Sr4afV0DYDyYTfiH_LiAgly23AvOGaDSirsNDjo1C_aem_qJUS5pq4HKsj2e0-EgPRXA

I am now starting in earnest on a small layout (a lot smaller than the Ouse Viaduct!) after much pondering and planning. Working name is St Martin-sur-Orb, and it is inspired by the ex-Midi line west of Bedarieux in the Languedoc. It was once going to be 'based on', but has been downgraded to 'inspired by' because of all the liberties I am taking, not least its electrification (of which more anon).

My knowledge of French railways has been on a steep learning curve, which has been fun, and I have acquired a fair selection of rolling stock including steam, diesel and electric locos, autorails, coaches and wagons. Locos mostly second hand from Roco, with a couple of Jouef - eyes water a bit at some of the prices for new European models!

The baseboards are built using Tim Horn's modules. I started with 2 x 3ft, and 18in deep, but later added a 2ft middle section. This is about the limit I can get in my car. LED lighting has been fitted.

It will be a through station so there will be fiddle yards at each end. I've settled on a plan after much pottering about with Templot; very simple with one end of a station/passing loop, a couple of short sidings, and a long industrial siding at the back which will also go off-scene into the fiddle yard. This will run along the road at the back, in front of shops/bars/houses - which may be in half-relief (thanks to Captain Kernow for that suggestion). So there's only four points. Control will be DC with front operation from either end.

All track work on-scene will be Tillig, with the four points all being their mid-radius EW3s. The first one went down a few days ago, on Carr's cork strip and droppers already attached.

At this point I hit a snag in that the plain flexitrack I had was Code 100 and not the Code 83 of the pointwork. This has now been rectified - the Code 100 might see use in the fiddle yards.

Meanwhile, I received as a (requested) Christmas present a laser-cut kit for a generic PLM station building. I know it's not a Midi or even PO prototype, but to my eyes it has the feel of such a building, and ultimately Rule 1 applies. The kit is made by a company called Bois Modelisme, and was obtained very efficiently from the Jura Modelisme online shop - no doubt there are other outlets. I have to say I am very impressed with this kit, with the details of doors, windows, stonework etc being cut in card of some kind, not the Rowmark plastic I was expecting it to be, and the fineness of the door and window glazing bars and representation of panelling is amazing. So I've spent a few hours between Christmas and New Year getting on with it.

What do you think the colour scheme should be? Typical photos suggest light cream with pale blue/grey for the woodwork, but I'm open to suggestions. What about the corner stones and door/window surrounds? Existing structures are often in a pale pink base colour, but I don't know if they are original or repaints after line closure.

More details to follow as I progress.

If you can point me in the direction of articles or links in French or English that would be grand!

Thanks in advance

Duncan