Gordonwis

I should clarify that the original 1920s Br43 all ended up in the GDR, so when DB computerised they used the available designation 043 for the oil fire conversions of DB class 44s. The DB class 043 were the last 2-10-0s in service on DB, lasting to the end of DB steam on Rheine-Emden in autumn 1977. Indeed 043 904 hauled the last ever DB steam train in October 1977

There were never any oil fired DB class 50s to my knowledge

In simple terms, the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft (DRG) of the inter-war years set out to have a complete fleet of 'standard locomotives'. These are known as 'Einheitslokomotive'. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einheitsdampflokomotive Virtually every one of these DRG design locos shared the same style, which is why post WW1 German locos feature for example similar cabs on a loco as small as an 0-6-0 to one as large as a 2-10-2. There were three classes of 'Einheitslok' with 2-10-0 wheel arrangement, Class 43, 44 and 50 Due to the computer numbering introduced by DB (west Germany) in 1968, the class 50 became 050, 051, 052 and 053. This always confuses 'lay enthusiasts' because an 052 was nothing to do with the wartime class 52. The class 52 austerity war locomotive (Kriegslok) was very 'standard' fleet but was not an 'Einheitslok' To explain the 050, 051, 052 etc conundrum, as there were more than 3000 in the fleet. The DB had to do it this way because of their chosen way of computerising the class number fixed to 3 digits. So the 050 was simple 50 167 became 050 167, but 50 1568 had to become 051 568, 50 2774 = 052 774, and 50 3008 = 053 008

I notice you don't specify the class of some locos. The 0-10-0T locos are 050TE (except the one in picture named 'Locomotive shed I' ) which is an 050TQ. the 2-10-2T is a 151TQ. The unspecified 'Bo-Bo' diesel at Ventimiglia is a 66000. The Paris Nord 2-8-2 tanks were (famously) 141TC, and the B-B electrics pictured are BB16500 class

Base a layout in the Saar area, where 141Rs (including 73 which went to Bressingham...) interworked with DB loks till the end of steam

The Hornby Jouef examples are new tooling since at the oldest 2005 unless I'm much mistaken and include digital sound etc - a far cry from the older versions

Yes I agree. I had Roco green EWIV for years and I don't think I ever really noticed the upper stripe was wrong! The 'error' is not repeated (because there is more white overall) on the white/black version where the Roco and Fleischmann versions match .

Well I grew up with the 1960s Jouef and 1970s Lima 141R models ... , and have a later generation Rivarossi 141R. I've also seen the Hornby Jouef 141Rs in action, so I'd be interested to know why the latter two models don't count as 'up to date'

Given your collection, here is an interesting picture: http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ch/SBB_CFF_FFS/car/EW_IV/B/100928-046.jpg

I didn't think the green livery had ever featured such a thick upper white stripe as appears on the Fleischmann model - so I'd say it was rare but ready to be corrected if any other evidence comes to light.

It's not 'French', nor 'Swiss'. It is one of Ibertren's Eurofima models falsely purporting as a Swiss 'Type EC' . Having said that SBB's 20 1st class Eurofima spent a short while in two tone grey so it's just about OK. Personally I avoid the Ibertren Eurofima models (issued in many versions) as they are too 'bulky' in style, other manufacturers have made better models of the Eurofima.

What about the night ferry fourgons ?

It must be possible because there is a dcc sound version RTR

situation in 1997: 70 x 1st class Apm. SBB designation = 'type EC' : built 1989-95, number range 61 85 10 90 200 - 269; two tone grey livery 154 x 2nd class Bpm. SBB designation = 'type EC' : built 1990-95, number range 61 85 20 90 200 - 354; two tone grey livery 20 x Eurofima 1st class Am. SBB designation = 'type UIC Z1' aka 'UIC air conditioned': built 1977, number range 61 85 19 90 500 - 519; two tone grey livery 29 x 'like Eurofima' 2nd class Bpm. SBB designation = 'type UIC Z1' aka 'UIC air conditioned' : built 1980-81, number range 61 85 20 70 500-529; orange livery 20 x 2nd class Couchettes Bcm. SBB designation = 'type UIC Z1' aka 'UIC air conditioned': built 1979, number range 61 85 50 70 100 - 119; night blue livery

Ibertren 'Eurofimas' (non SBB) are what I would call 'adequate' but usually sit a bit high on rather cumbersome bogies. The SBB 2nd class coaches pictured in your link are again what I would call an 'adequate' representation of an SBB 2nd class Z1, not 100% accurate but good enough for most 'viewers' SBB's 'Z1' 2nd class coaches were not 'Eurofima' aka 'European Standard coach' aka Voiture standard Europeen (VSE)' The Minitrix SBB 1st is ostensibly a 'correct' SBB 1st class, from the 'official' VSE Eurofima programme but the model is a bit rough and ready (viz the horrible split between upper and lower bodyside. Having said that I do have one (bought cheaply) to go with my other orange coaches (ie SBB RIC and FS and OBB versions

Sorry, to clarify I was referring to N gauge models. There were no 2nd class N gauge SBB Eurofima models as far as I know

1st class only I think

I don't use any of the three makes you mention! I favour Vallejo or Tamiya. Here is one of Harry's pictures showing what looks like a set of ex works S wagons, the grey is a close match IMO to Vallejo pale blue grey 70 907, but also note the dark slate grey on the uprights http://www.haribu.ch/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/7603.jpg

Indeed Sommerfeldt is course - both in HO and N scale, but it is robust because of that, something that may still be attractive to some modellers. I replaced Sommerfeldt N with N train, but N train, although much 'finer' is very easily bent out of shape - so its really a modellers choice. I'm interested in the choice of lattice uprights - is your layout based on older eras?

HOWEVER! The drop in my model is about 10 inches and I reckoned it to be about 40% of scale size. We were also constrained, within the rules of the competition, to use OO track. I do have the idea of relaying it though with HOm but in truth N gauge would be somewhat closer! Would look very good with Nm9 Kato Rhaetische Bahn Series stock

The font is Bahnschrift (literally Railway writing or railway font). It is my understanding that this really does have its origins as the 'official' German railways font hence its name, which has become an internationally recognised font, but not 100% certain.

And also 'the Greta effect' has changed thought processes in the last few years...

I'm very familiar with the Azergues line and Claveisolles spiral tunnel, but AFAIK the RTG Turbotrains never went that way though, hence why I thought you were referring to the Sauvages.

Not 100% certain but I think 25175 was the last locomotive built at the legendary locomotive works 'Schneider' at Le Creusot (58 Nievre), hence the name

August 2015: My 'tromp d'oueil' working Del Prado Croc, with one side frame removed to show how the Kato shorty chassis fits in Also, created the Ge4/4III 'Ems' - an even simpler repaint than Coop, being all over white. Kato had released their 'Filisur' station. Photo on a small diorama board