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Sorry to be off topic but I see you have had a delivery from ModelU - I have been trying to contact them by phone , email and the contact link on their website but no response. I was scanned at the Warley show in November !!!! and after some effort got a few delaying replies around February but since then - nothing. I did wonder if they wer affected by Covid but the web site says they are up and running - dos anyone have any information ?? Many thanks Paul

Dave, many thanks - thats probably more 'hard information' about model rack railways, than has appeared in one place before - most generous of you to share your experiences and I look forward to seeing the photos. Chrislock is also taking a very active interest as well and hopefully we shall both have some test track sections running soon. Thanks for the inspiration. Paul

Dave, thanks you for going to the trouble of taking some photos of your layout and sharing your experiences. First question - is it Fleischmann Ho rack track you are using ??? I have only seen the N gauge Fleischmann offering, which has the sleepers and rack all moulded together, whereas your rack seems to clip in place - I did wonder if the rack strip was from HRF. The transition slope /vertical radius obviously needs to be gradual - what sort of radius have you used ? Did you have any problem with the track buckling as you bent the transition slope ? and with that pushing it out of gauge ? Did you find that a special bending tool was needed ? What is your typical curve radius ? What is the radius of that really tight curve ? Do you have any problem keeping the correct relationship between rail height and rack height ? Does twisting the track give any problems by loosing electrical pick up contact ? Is there any tendancy for the loco to lift wheels because its balancing on two wheels on one side and the rack in the middle ? Ooops, sorry about all the questions Dave but it would be great if you can answer these when you have the chance - no rush ! Again can I say thank you for sharing your experiences - this is only the second rack 'article' I have ever seen and the other one really gave no technical information. Paul

Dutch Master, I did not understand how this PM system worked - I only have experience of PMs in one other forum and that also sends an email automatically. So I was -incorrectly - waiting for you !!! I have not been able to look at the forum recently because I am selling a house and as part of that deal I have to redecorate certain rooms by a deadline - lots of pressure. Anyway - I have just read your message and accidentally deleted it ! Could you possibly send it again ? However the answer to your offer is a very definite YES . Later this evening I shall try to contact you via PM to give you my details. Many thanks Paul

Dutch master, did yoyu receive my message ?? Paul

Dave, many thanks, thats really helpful - chores and brownie points come first though - no rush ! I know Chris is most interested as he couldn't get there either. Paul

Hi Dave, unfortunately, I can't make Christchurch, as other commitments don't leave me enough time to get there and back from Warwick - thanks for the invitation but its darn frustrating. Without writing an essay, is there any chance that you could jot down some key points, shich as .............. Radius of vertical curve from horizontal to climb - Is the radius of vertical curve from climb to horizontal, the same minimum as aboove ? Thoughts on minimum curve radius. The key thing being curves on inclines ? Chris (Chrislock) and I have been discussing our thoughts on WAB or SPB layouts. We both fancy N scale because that gives one the space to model the vertical landscape of the Jungfrau region but that either requires a huge compromise and accepting the use of Fleischmann N scale standard gauge track or scratchbuilding 5mm track and very, very tiny rack locos. Chris already models in 2mm but I certainly wouldn't try scratchbuilding in that scale but may try the freelance approach in N, to see how I get on with the scenery / eyesight ! However, I am definitely going to have a go in Hoe, using Fleischmann N scale track and the N scale locos as drive units because these will fit inside the various Triebwagens as well as the HE.2/2. Before going any further, I need to set up a short test track, to see if the Fleischmann N scale loco will push two Bemo bogie coaches up a 1 in 5. If the power proves inadequate, then I shall use Bemo power bogies instead and commit to HRF track (all donations welcome !). Dutch Master........... can I ask how I regauge Bemo coaches from Hom to Hoe ?? Can I squeeze the wheels on the axles or do I need to but replacement wheelsets ? Paul

Hi Simon, I looked up the EMU stuff, stunning quality of work. I was familiar with the general approach but I do think its a hair shirt way of doing things and very times consuming. I prefer the idea of getting sides cnc cut in plastic rather than by hand, as its more accurate. I am starting to trawl around to see if there are any Swiss coaches which have the same window size as the WAB coaches and triebwagens, as this offers a cut and shut option. As I would like several triebwagens, I like the idea of using cut and shut to make a master pattern and then getting a few resin bodies cast. I really like the way the EMU roof was produced - but first you need to make the pattern. Again,the shape of the WAB roofs are better cast from a master rather than hand carved each time, as unlike the EMU roofs, they are 'shaped' at their extremities. This would also give a better finish anyway. As you say, its resistor banks which are the real challenge. With a station layout, you could avoid having functioning rack - but sadly, functioning rack is for me, what its all about - I sincerely wish that I was not hooked on rack, but we can't help what we fall for. Chrislock, cutting Fleischmann rack and gluing onto 6mm track is probably possible but maintaining an accurate relationship between the railhead and the rack would be a real challenge because thats the critical factor in getting it all to work. I imagine that someone who knows how to use a lather would soon figure out how to make metal rack. By all accounts Z gauge locos don't pull well (anyone have first hand experience) and don't do well on inclines. I doubt that an He 2/2 full of lead would go up a decent incline, simply because there is not much room to put any lead. Having said that, if you can get it to work, I will be your first visitor and the drinks will be on me. Paul

Dutch Master, I recognise that there is little modelling interest in the WAB but I have seen the same problem with WW1 aircraft models 20 years ago. No one made models because there was so little easily available information and few model kits were availabl. Ray Rimmel started Windsock Magazine - originally by photocopier - and from that a huge amount of information became available and a huge range of models exists. I suspect that many have visited the Jungfrau region but express no interest because modelling the WAB seems impossible or too expensive. Making something available might change things ? Of course I could be completely wrong. Chrislock - you move quickly - respect ! Do you think that etched rack would be accurate and consistent enough ? or would it need to be machine cut to get smooth running ? I guess the biggest problem would be making the loco heavy enough to stop it climbing out of the rack. Paul

Thanks Horsetran, and your Mastercard number is.................? I have not yet given up on buying an HRF triebwagen, although the trouble is that really you need 3 or 4 of them and that REALLY isn't possible. It does seem to me that there is a lot of interest in the WAB and I do wonder if its possible to have a short run of resin cast bodies produced at a truly affordable price. When you look at some of the limited run resin aircraft models (50-100 examples), I see no reason why a resin body could not be produced for £50. It should be straightforward to design this to fit onto Bemo power bogies and to produce cosmetic bogie sides. I know HRF produce the correct pantograph at a price but they might not be prepared to supply significant numbers - is there another source ? Obviously there are other details which can be provided in resin or etched. Such a model would of course not compare to HRF 's WAB triebwagen but even if you bought a Bemo model as a base, it would cost maybe £300-350 + some work. At £50 for a body, I would be prepared to buy 3 or even 4. But can we find buyers for another 46 ? I am sure that many will say that an etched brass body is the only way to go but that does require a lot of skill. Today it is certainly possible to produce a resin body in a limited run to almost the same quality as a basic Bemo body and for me that is more than acceptable. If this is a stupid idea then do please tell me. But if it is realistic, then let us try to take it forward. Paul

Dutch Master....................... English humour !!!!!!!!!!! Sadly I do know the real value of the HRF WAB triebwagens ................... My problem is too many interests........ full size gliding, large radio controlled gliders and electric powered planes, plys the G scale garden railway with 7 electric locos and 3 radio controlled live steam locos............... I can't afford everything (but I do try !). Paul

Chrislock - we really must co-ordinate things as I nearly started bidding on that red Edelweiss loco ! I bought the horrible looking green one as I may hack it about (I already have a blue/white one). Like you I have a two plank open waggon, plus a baggage van and together they look quite ok and the out of scale track isn't visually a problem (in N scale). However, in N scale, it isn't going to be possible to cut down the Edelweiss loco to make an He2/2 because its just too small - I was really surprised. So my current (and constantly evolving) plan is to play with the N scale stuff for experience and for a very vertical scene. Modelling WAB (and maybe some BoB) properly is, for me, going to be Ho (Hoe). The Ferro stuff can be found on Youtube somewhere under model rack and 'waddles' side to side but otherwise seems ok but the 10.5mm gauge is a bit of an oddball. Dutch Master and Horsetran............. as the BoB is to me of secondary interest to the WAB, I wouldn't want to get into serious scratchbuilding - simply not enough lifetime available. I shall however investigate the possibility of 'near enough' repaints - at the right price - thanks for the links by the way. Simon.......... good to hear from you again. I look forward to the pictures of the connected rack sections - could possibly tell me the sleeper spacing, from the front of one sleeper to the front of the next - and also for the closely spaced pair ? its so difficult to get an impression from photos that are larger than life ! It will be interesting to see how that compared to Fleischmann N sclae rack. I really love the BoB HGe 3/3. Do your comments about space limitations and the WAB triebwagen suggest you might sell it ? Don't delay - there is £100 waiting here for it !!!!! Paul

Having finished sunday dinner, a few more thoughts. Chrsilock yes the Edelweiss N gauge locos are 1:160 on standard gauge track. Consequently one has to accept that the track is grossly over scale/gauge for the 800mm gauge WAB. I think that using trees, banks, buildings etc, one could however easily hide most of the track from view, aided by displaying the layout fairly high to the obervers eyeline. The bigger problem is trying to fit the Fleishcmann mechanism inside the outline of WAB locos. This problem is illustrated by the fact that the N scale Fleischmann loco has almost the correct wheelbase for the He 2/2 in Ho scale (strictly Hoe being Ho on 9mm track) and that tells you that these locos are really very small indeed. Although there is scope for butchering the Edelweiss loco and reducing its size and maybe using a physically smaller motor, I don't think you can get anywhere near small enough to use it as a basis for an He2/2. With a bit of luck, you might get it into one of the modern slab sided triebwagens but you might have trouble with it fouling the inside of the body unless the track followed generous curves. It depends on how much of the Fleischmann body/chassis can be cut away. In Hoe, the track looks quite acceptable and indeed much of the WAB now runs on Strub rack. The Fleischmann locos seem to be available in the £30-50 range, so thats not too bad. Tackling rack seems tricky enough without reinventing the wheel ! Because of a lack of space, my layout must either be permanent in the loft - limited headroom and W truss construction means thats not ideal - or sectional, so it can be stored in the loft and will have to fit through the access door in the ceiling. I have been contemplating a WAB model for far too many years and I must thank everyone for pushing me towards making it happen. I cannot reconcile my desire to to model the vertical landscape - only possible in N - with my wish to model the WAB stock - which with my skills suggests Hoe. The answer is going to be two separate layouts. I am not really very knowledgable about what is available for the Rhb etc from Bemo but I had though that the small covered goods vans of the WAB were pretty much the same as the Bemo BoB item. No way ! When compared to the scale drawings, I was really surprised as to how much shorter and narrower the WAB vehicles were. Still some scope for using Bemo vehicles as a basis for conversions though. Dutch Master...... because the WAB has dual gauge stations at Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, I am obviously interested in the BoB stock as well. I have two of the later brown livery BoB coaches produced by Bemo but no Triebwagen to pull them. The only products are HRF again around £1800 or Buhler (Malutram) at around £650. However there are constant rumours that Bemo will produce a BoB triebwagen............ do you think this happen ? ever ?? or many years in the future ??? In deperation, do Bemo produce and triebwagens which are almost the same as the BoB vehicles ? Paying for a repaint would be an affordable option. Paul

Chrislock - well, Dutch Master has answered that far better than I could have done ! thanks once again for sharing your knowledge. Currently I am trying to finish decorating my second home and put it up for sale asap, to top up the funds for my recent (and welcomed) redundancy. Also trying to complete two 2.5 metre span radio controlled gliders which I will be hill soaring during the winter. The house and the gliders should be finished in about a month and then I can look at the rack a bit more seriously. As yet I don't have a specific track plan in mind but it will be very Wengernalpbahn influenced. I have not done any indoor railway modelling for - er - um, 50 years (oh heck) so I am also at the bottom of the learning curve in tackling scenery as well. Attempt number one is going to be in N scale, to see if I feel its within my capabilities and my eyesight ! Its also my only real chance of modelling the vertical landscape. I now have two N scale rack locos. Plus an open waggon and a WAB style closed luggage van. Those two vehicles plus a loco resembles one of the short formations you see chugging their way back down from Kleine Scheidegg, carrying general junk and rubbish for disposal. Not accurate of course but it does catch the general ambience. As I am typing this, the thought occurs that I could compress the section from Lauterbrunnen, where the track crosses the river and climbs and curves to the left - but model the old route which is spectacularly close to the cliff face. Although I am revuising my ideas on construction each time I comtemplate the problem, I intend to build the track base first, see if it runs and only then add scenery around it. More shortly. Paul

Thanks for trying Dutch-master especially as I know that looking through a pile of magazines is a great deal of hard work. Again I must comment - its really surprising that almost nothing is weritten about modelling rack railways. Personally I have never seen even an article in Continental Modeller that discusses the practicalities. Anyhow, I have just bought a second Fleischmann N gauge Edelweiss rack loco, so I can now begin to experiment, although this will have to wait for a month or so. Paul