Hello,
I'm new here so I hope I'm posting this in the correct section.
I have a keen interest in Swiss Railways for various reasons. I visited a few years ago and definitely plan to go again in the not too distant future.
Ever since I saw a 7.25" gauge live steam model of the diminutive Waldenburgerbahn 0-6-0, I said to myself that I needed one of my own. The company Balson AG of Switzerland already produce a magnificent model of this locomotive but it's definitely way out of my budget especially with our dismal exchange rate. I contacted the Swiss Railway Museum in Lucerne to ask for assistance regarding a detailed G.A. drawing of the locomotive and they heartily replied although the drawing didn't have much detail that I could make out. This did help however to get the design of the project underway. I managed to scour the web for photos of the loco which greatly assisted in getting the look right so far.
I will not be making the model a very highly-detailed, super-scaled version of the real thing but as long as it looks right. To date I have the frames assembled and next is the make the horn blocks and axle boxes.
The Waldenburgerbahn in the process to re-gauge the line from 750mm to metre gauge and this has sadly resulted in the recent final run of the operable heritage 0-6-0 (G 3/3) No.5 steam loco. I only saw the sister loco on static display in the Swiss Transport Museum when I visited last.
Does anyone perhaps know what will become of this loco? I know that most of the rolling stock will be re-used in other countries.
It saddens me to know that when I visit Switzerland again, I won't be able to travel on this 750mm line behind a steam loco but I guess progress and modernization is inevitable.
I will highly appreciate any photos of the loco that anyone might have and will be willing to share. Even better still, a drawing or two would be great.
All the best,
Martin