rue_d_etropal

Always good to see more 3D printed models, especiall when people are using low cost CAD software. I personally still prefer to use Alibra, as it allows me to specify to very fine decimal places, and debugging is very easy, like coding. It also has ability to rescale easily, and a good drawing feature, which makes it easier to print off and match against other drawings and loco chassis , in various scales so can try before spending money or more time. Some designs have been halted when I realsed something would not fit, a mistake I made on occasions when I started. Do Blender and other packages have facility to produce good quality drawings?

I have the wagon drawings now. Just wondering where the authors of the book got them, or are they based on photos? The locos might not be the original, but are still important historically. Scenic areas are often areas with rock falls. Where my French house is , the department spends a lot of money on the main road up into the mountains, with various ways to stop rock falling on the road. Spending a similar sum on protecting one small railway line may not be justified politically, where roads hold more power than railways. I thought the line above the rock fall was very scenic as well, trouble being that the operating departments are based on the other side of the rock fall.

the salt wagons ere relatively new, being built during the 1940s, so I would have expected to have found another use, but most of the stock was older. At least one old wagon ended up on the Vivarais. There was probably a surplus of coaches on metre gauge lines so they were probably scrapped, but as they were standard designs could easy get lost on other lines. The 1950s built Decauville coaches ould have been very useful but seem to just disappear. As similar coaches were built for railways in Africa it is very likely they ended up in a French Dependance/Colony. There are no drawings for these, but I do have dimensions and design was pretty simple. I had hoped that maybe other items ould have ended up on the CF de la Mure, as it was also electric, but the locos were older, probably worn out, and designed for a flatter line so probably would have not found the CF de la Mure line suitable. On the future the big bonus the CF de La Mure has is its scenery, which is often a bigger selling scheme than travelling behind vintage locos and stock in France. Would have hoped the French authorities would also see it as an important historical line , simply because it is an electrified metre gauge line, using original locos, in an area historically connected to hydro electric power generation.

It would be a tradgegy if this line does not re-open. Makes good sence to tun the upper section, and given the recent rockfall on Cf de Provence I can see why there would be worries . As most 'preserved' metre gauge in France is steam loco and diesel railcar, preserving an electrified line is even more important as it demonstrated they were using 'modern' technology. I am currently also researching the electrified CF de Camargue line which closed in the 50s. Interestingly some of its salt carrying wagons ended up on the CF de La Mure. I have been sent copies of drawings of these wagons from a new book on that line. I don't think the wagons were that useful, especially as the salt had not done much good, but am wondering if any have survived.

As an experienced(?) gNatterboxer, I can confirm there are Gn15 modellers here, as I recognise some names. For a variety of reasons there seems to have been a drop in interest, not helped by Steve Bennett being ill at the moment and his kits not being available. There had been a slowdoiwn before. Tom Bell(tebee) has taken over hosting of the foirum, and has designed some low cost wagons to keep people interested. I have started a new challenge for 2015, to link to centenary of Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway converting to 15in gauge. Hopefully plan is to get some publicity, maybe a magazine such as BRM to publish article . The centenary event is at end of August. oh, the challenge, Gn15, at least one operational point or turntable, all in a space of 19in by 15in (1915) and no height limit. If I have missed out on anything, have a look on the Gnatterbox, under Challenges. It is a total coincidence, but I unearthed a 19in by 15in Gn15 layout I built in 2007 for another challenge, and I intend to clean that up, and build a new one as well. This is a worldwide challenge, and if we do get anything exhibited, we can have video of those not able to attend those exhibitions.

I think there has been some discussion about industrial monorails on other forums, but don't remember anyone building. a model. I also seem to remember the company who originally produced the T gauge trains as thinking of using it for a pseudo monorail system. Not offering, but I would not have thought it that difficult to build the gearing to connect a small motor to two drive wheels. For the Italian vineyard, it might need some additional means of gripping the rail. Looking at those bricks, I hope they are not the ones I helped tidy up 30 years ago!

just checked the website and I think those figurescare available. Although they are a local company, I think they only do mainly online business. Seem to remember a few years ago when I was running shop, only a few miles down the road, but I had people saying they could not visit them. I think they were in process of moving, but it always amazes me to find hobby businesses hiding down local streets. I think they might have some useful items for me though and they do list opening times for their showroom.

Peter, there was a model of the Scarab produced for 1/32, in resin so not cheap and I was not impressed as windows were too deep. A Scarab would be ideal for a farm as the one Ch4 did up a few years ago, think it is at Keighley, did do a spell on a farm. Met one of the people who lived there when I was running model shop. Its odd there aren;t any kits for the French licensed versionof the MH, made by FAR, as many ended up in German hands and I have seen a 1/48th scale version of the fixed chassis version. FAR production actually continued after Scammel had given up, maybe they should have introduced the twin headlights used on the Ausi versions, instead of trying out plastic. I think they only dared to try plastic after my grandfather had left the works! I would like to get my hands on some decent drawing of both the British MH/Scarab and the French FAR versions. Might consider a 3D printed mnodel, but fitting windows might be tricky.

I remember that dual crossing when it was out. It might have been produced by Mehano, but they did take over other ranges, in particular old Rivarossi locos, and maybe another company had designed this then dropped it. As for a reason for connecting N gauge and HO track, some people run diffeent scales/gauges together because it suits them, or whoever designed this might only have had access to N gauge track. If it had been intended for narrow gauge then its more likely Minitrains/Roco or Lilliput had a hand in it. They might have even commissioned Mehano to produce it. Mehano track is normally steel, or is now, so producing this cross over in nickel silver is odd. Jouef also used to prefer using steel, but I have some Jouef nickel silver points in HO. As for different rail heights I have never had a problem as you can always equalise them my filing the underside of the deeper rail. It should also be said that current Japanese N gauge track is not same profile as other N gauge, and Peco N gauge rail joiners won't fit. You have to be prepared to adapt if you model narrow gauge sometimes.

Peter, It's great to see you publishing pictures here. As you know I have had the chance to see the layout a few years ago at Crewe, and have followed the progress on other forums. Initially I wasn't certain about the large lorry based locos, but then I saw similar real vehicles in Romania. Given your background it would be interesting to see a Scammell conversion, but not only are there very vew kits available in either 1/32 or 1/35 scale, but the bigger lorries might be a bit too big. I would be at the front of the queue if there was a good quality model for one of the Mechanical Horses or Scarabs and have used kits for similar Japanese 3 wheelers for a potential narrow gauge layout. I started on those a few years ago, partly inspired by when I saw you layout first time, I suspect.

Paul, I am north west of Beziers, so not that far from Narbonnne. Have gone that way when flying down to Carcassonne, when I missed turning. F1 used to be acceptable when it was really cheap, but about the time they tried to launch themselves in UK, prices went up. I tend to use a very nice B&B group hotel in St Quentin on way down, and then just about get down to house in one go via A75. I would like to get down thee more, and spend moire time down there, but am currently workiung on my 3D printing business hich fingers crossed will keep me in wine for a few years. I go near to Bessan quite often , but normally either on autorioute, for speed or nearer the coast , except when there is summer holiday traffic.My brother lives over near Arles, as did my parents, which is one reason I am currently researching the CF de Camargue. I had started looking into the history of the metre gauge around Carcassonne, but they closed down in the 30s so offereed limited modelling scope, bu the Camargue line not only lasted to the 50s but was also electrified. I plan to do a test working diorama in 1/76 (it fits the 12mm gauge chassis I have), then up the 3D printed models to 1/55 scale using slightly under gauge 16.5mm track. I have a lot of info already incuding drawings but can't find out colour of locos or coaches. Just looked through messages above, it looks like there is actually quite a lot of interest in model railways in the part of France I eventually hope to call home. My next door neighbour who happens to be English, and has interest in WW2 wargaming had not mentioned the shop near Beziers. My house is actually in St Pons, and I had been told there was a model shop in Mazemet , on road to Castres. I wonder if there are enough of us down there to have an informal club. I know another SNCF member who lives just up the road and has written about railways in the area.

By the 1950s many roads were being tarmaced, A quick look at photos and film from the period is best way to check. I have been surprised by what I have seen on occasions, and it is not uncommon to have found local councils attempting to make their towns looking old and traditional getting it wrong now. Most of the metre gauge lines around Carcassonne did not survice the 1930s, not too many steep hills to hinder local buses even on dirt roads. My house is not far to the north, over the Departmental border. The surface on our local bike route on old railway line is probably very similar to what many roads were like, packed earth with a few loose stones, and you have to be careful cycling on it. Quite a contrast to local roads now, which have some of the best maintenance and money spent on them in France.

Assume you mean the Cf de Tarn. Unfortunately I have always been too busy doing up house on the short stays I am down there, but one of the locos I want to design for 3D printing is the Crochat loco. Hopefully next year I will be able to stay down there longer so might get up to the line. Another reason I want to see 'Mers les Bains', is to check out the 'non working' wagon turntable, as I have been designing some working wagon turntables for 3d printing. I wasn't sure on diameter for metre gauge, but as many of the 2 axle wagons have a wheel base between 2.5m and 3m, I thought 3.5m sounded about right. On looking at one of the photos above in windows paint, I estimate diameter is about 11cm, which is close to 3.5m scale. That's something else to design before York next year, so no hurry(probably be ready by the weekend!) Scrub that initial estmate, as 12ft is so close, I wonder if that was used as standard wagon turntable diameter. That works out at 11.4cm in 1/32. Standardisation is the important thing, and companies would not deliberately do something different , as it would probably lose them trade. Looking at the photos above, I don't think I would want to walk on the stones. Many of the photos(pre 1945) in books either show tarmac(or something similar), packed earth, or something a bit heavier.

Hi, I am looking forward to seeing this layout next year, possibly York, partly because it's French, but mainly to compare notes on modelling metre gauge in 1/32 scale. Yes it has been done before, but not to the same standards. I have been dabbling in various scales/gauges over the years and have used 32mm gauge to represent both 3ft and 1metre gauge. Its just a pity that it is caught between Gauge 1 which has upped to nearer 1/30th scale, and the military modelling scale 1/35th , which happens to be better than 1/32 for modelling 60cm gauge, unless you want to up the gauge. I intend to also model 50cm gauge but in 1/32 so will nicely fit in with my proposed 1metre gauge.

John, I remember you and your Southern region layout if I am right. Talked to you about your old layout Chessington. When it comes to accomodation I prefer to use the B&B chain, which is only slightly more expensive than the F1 chain, and you get a better breakfast and ensuite facilities. Unfortunately there wasn't a B&B near Sedan, and the 'better' one locally is where I would opt for in future. You should have heard the comments from the Scots on Sunday morning!!! I knew what to expect, even though I would not choose to stay there if I have a choice. What amuses me about the F1 chain is that they are part of a much bigger company which has some good quality hotels , some are next door to F1 in some towns, and one of our local hotels here is part of the chain. My house is about 50 knm from Beziers towards Castres(where there is a big club). I have been told there is a model shop not far away, models not necessarily railway models,, and my next door neighbour(English) is into wargaming so we have quite a bit in common. By the time I get down there permanently I probably won't want to be travelling too much. I am still developing my 3D printing busiiness(designing, not actually printing), and the aim is for that to carry on , hands off as it is internet based. Simon

This is my first posting here, so hello. Anyway I exhibited at RAMMA in Sedan last year. It was my first French exhibition , as an exhibitor or visitor. I had heard French exhibitions were a bit different to those in UK, but I enjoyed the experience, but next time I will pay to stop night before. I did find at one point that I was the only person operating a layout in our small area, so I went round to look at rest of layouts. My mini layout has an auto control mode so always has something running. The quality of the other layouts, in particular some of the 'challenge' layouts was superb and it did not matter that no trains were running on many. I have a house in south of France, but have noticed most of the exhibitions in France tend to be in top half of the country. I would be interested in exhibitions further south. There is a big club not far from me in France, and I will pay a visit some time. Not sure if they have an exhibition, but they do have a public open day every Sunday I think to show off their main layout. I had intended to travel up to the RAMMA exhibition from my house in France, but it was both close and easier to travel from here in Lancashire. Most of my exhibition layouts are therefore based in the UK, and suspect I won't be doing much exhibiting once I am based full time in France. Simon