MOB 2002

I found a list of model shops in Switzerland on 1 zu 160, and quite a few seem to have vanished. I suppose even Switzerland isn’t immune from the pressures high street retail faces. On the plus side I stumbled across Zuba-Tech in St Gallen, which seems to have a decent range, a couple of things I’m after, and reasonable prices for everything except Hobbytrain. If I can squeeze in a trip to St Gallen I’ll give it a try. Mark

I was in Davos last summer (and will be again shortly) and didn’t see any model shops. There used to be one in Chur but I don’t remember seeing that last time I was there either. Mark

Just a small acquisition, but one I’ve been after for ages. An Arnold model of an ex SNCF luggage van to go with a steadily growing rake of EW IV. They’re all intended for a second layout that’s currently a bit stalled in construction. I’m off to Switzerland in a few days and hoping I might find time to stumble across a model shop or two. Any recommendations? Particularly interested in N gauge stuff that’s hard to get in the UK - including second hand. Mark

They are EWII; as far as I understand it a few were re-liveried specifically for a named train, the ‘Wilhelm Tell’. Not sure if some had other modifications too. Mark

If they do watch, that’s incredibly quick work! 🤣 Naturally I’m really rather pleased that I’ll be able to add a new Re4/4 IV to the fleet - tempted to see what I can do with the poor old Roco Re4/4 IV though. Suspect it’ll keep going for ever. Mark

Arnold 2023 up now too. if you’ve got (or are planning to build) a layout that can feature lots of cross border expresses you might be in for a treat. Otherwise, don’t hold your breath. https://uk.arnoldmodel.com/new-2023 Mark

Fleischmann 2023 range has been revealed: https://www.fleischmann.de/documents/uploads/service/downloads/20230110_FLM_Neuheiten.pdf The Re6/6 in red is there, and the EWIV in the latest livery variation. Not a lot else though. Mark.

I’m very happy with mine. Ran smoothly and looked great straight from the box. Running conditions aren’t the same as you’ve described, but the current layout does have some pretty vicious gradients on a tight curve. It doesn’t struggle in the slightest with the longest train I can throw at it. There are retailers offering the non-DCC version for under £200, so it compares very favourably to many other models that aren’t as finely detailed or complicated in my mind. I’ve got to say that I’ve never had any problem with any of my Fleischmann locos, bought new or secondhand, though. Mark

I’d imagine there are online communities that the major European manufacturers do pay attention to? I can’t see many brands in this day and age that don’t engage in a certain level of monitoring.

Roco did all of the SBB liveries in N I think, I have one in the Bahn 2000 livery … but with its obscured windows it’s hardly what you’d call up to modern standards. With all the advertising liveries post SBB, the fact they’re still in traffic in a variety of liveries today, and the heavily related ex Bodensee Togenberg machines you’d think it might be viable. Mark

Piko have already announced their range, so no Giruno there I’m afraid: https://www.piko-shop.de/en/warengruppe/new-items-2022-428/category_filter-50/l-100/o-artikelnr_asc.html Personally I’d love to see a modern standard Re4/4 IV, Ae4/7 or some new Leichtstahlwagen during 2023 … all of which are probably less likely than the Giruno. Mark

That’s correct. The NCB in the North East bought huge numbers of waggons during the 1950s. Of course the ex Lambton workshops at Philadelphia was still building their own at that point too. Mark

Just stumbled across this thread, I model continental N but my 12 inches to the foot interests are dominated by NER vehicles and industrial counterparts from the same part of the world. I’ve seen a few posts like the one above (sorry, not trying to pick on anyone in particular). I have to point out that the waggons in that picture are not former NER waggons. Thr National Coal Board in Northumberland acquired a large number of wooden hoppers to this design in the 1950s, I believe chiefly built by Standard Wagon. The immediate way to tell them apart is that headstocks extend beyond the solebars, whereas the NER 20T hoppers finish parallel and feature a wrap around plate. There’s also things like the RCH pattern split axleboxes. The NCB in Northumberland and County Durham discovered that timber waggons often lasted longer in the harsh circumstances involved. Indeed as late as 1978, steel 21T hopper waggons were being rebuilt with wooden bodies. Mark

Just to complicate things even further, the De4/4 and Be4/6 worked with an earlier series of driving trailers, the BTi and BDTi vehicles. So, the De4/4 and Be4/6 could not push pull with Leichtstahlwagen and EW I or EW II driving trailers, but the standard carriages of those types could work in a train powered by a De4/4 or Be4/6 and driven from a BTi or BDTi. Here’s an example, https://igschieneschweiz.startbilder.de/bild/schweiz~strecken~652-beinwil-am-see-beromuenster/694089/der-schiebende-sbb-de-44-1667.html Of course, most of this won’t be a problem for 99% of Swiss modellers, just weirdos who model obscure lines like the Seetalbahn. For those weirdos like me, getting hold of the right driving trailer is a bit of a nightmare! Mark

Those TEE liveried Re4/4II got around a bit … they certainly weren’t confined to TEE jobs. It’d be just as accurate at the head of any train of the period, including freight. Indeed, the rather excellent bahnbilder.de site provides all the evidence you need: https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/schweiz~e-loks~re-44-ii-sbb-re-420/34255/sbb-re-44-11251---interlaken.html Mark

I’m pretty sure the Swiss weren’t overly enamoured with it … the polite nickname was ‘papagei’ (parrot), but it was also apparently known as ‘clowns vomit’ livery! The slightly earlier livery featuring a simple blue stripe was far easier on the eye, and seemingly lasted right to the end of EW II use with SBB.

The easiest immediate way to tell them apart is the shape of the windows between the doors and carriage ends … EW I have tall windows the same height as the other windows in the carriage. EW II have shorter more rectangular windows set high up the bodyside. If they’re together in a train, the roof profile on EW II is different, the cant rail being slightly higher. Mark

Any N scale Swiss driving trailer seems to be in huge demand. Even the really rather outdated Eriam ones still regularly go for in excess of £100 on eBay … hardly great value but that’s the going rate. Surely there’s a manufacturer somewhere willing to take advantage of the situation? Mark

Progress hasn’t completely ground to a halt, but with a new job late last year, it has slowed somewhat. I’m continuing to work from front to back (which was probably a mistake) on the scenery and adding the last missing buildings. I’m down to two (maybe three) structures to add along the rear. I’ve done a bit of final tree placement this evening and took a few photos to see if I was happy. It’s only a tiny layout, but I’ve been trying from the outset to make trains disappear as they climb away from the station apart from occasional glimpses; so the trees have a key role to play. Although the layout is in dire need of a tidy up and dust, I also quickly took a shot along the back end to help me visualise the next steps. I’m aiming to get the bulk of this stretch done before I add the backscene. Mark

Great work. Some of those scenes with the train romping through the rolling greenery takes me straight back to Zweisimmen-Interlaken trips before the BLS abandoned their traditional image. Must find time to play with another video too. Mark

I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on a new Re6/6. The Fleischmann locos I already have are among the best for both running and detail, so I’m expecting great things. I think the red livery is the one most likely to fly off the shelves, so I can understand Fleischmann wanting to keep interest high over an extended length of time. I notice that the exact identity of the green one hasn’t been revealed yet, not that I’m sure that will impact on desirability massively. Mark

I managed a quick trip on the ASD too, one evening a couple of years ago while staying near Lake Geneva. It’s a really charming little line that would make a nice change from the usual RhB etc models of Swiss narrow gauge, but I’m not sure I’ve got the time to devote to scratch building the correct rolling stock. The backscene could be impressive mind … Mark

The storm, combined with plenty of snow still on the ground for most of the day has opened up the chance of a good few hours with the layout this evening for the first time in months. I spent some time finally finishing off painting of the overhead masts and planting them, then tidying up the ballast. The sharp eyed will spot some more building work in the background of Be4/6 No. 12320 on a short special below. That’s what I’ve been trying to focus on in grabbed minutes. The big achievement of today was the kit bodging (like kit bashing but with less finesse) of the engine shed from yet another Faller kit. There’s nothing suitably Swiss in preserved steam to pose outside so 80 030, which is restored albeit in Germany, will have to fill the void. I’ve tidied up the ballast outside the shed, but nothing else yet. I also think it might need an interior. I’m certainly not hoping for any more storm damage, but a few more hours with the layout wouldn’t go amiss over the winter. Mark

That’s brilliant. All those hours of work are really paying off. Mark

Indeed, and it would seem that in Switzerland there really is a prototype for everything! Mark