Vinedusk

Thanks Fred, you forced me to go back and re-read the brochure. I think I saw the Rivarossi first and assumed (incorrectly) that they made a competing pack to the Marklin version and simply split it into the two couplets for sales flexibility. I then assumed that they were the same across all three brands. I am rather cynical these days. I am unclear as to why Jouef have split their couplets across the two packs. This is the sort of thing that makes me so cynical. Here's a summary for the other cynics out there. From Jouef - HJ4198 - CIWL, 3-unit pack “Etoile du Nord”, set 1/2 (1 x DD3, 1 x VP Côte d´Azur and 1 x VPC Étoile du Nord), ep. II HJ4199 - CIWL, 3-unit pack “Etoile du Nord”, set 2/2 (1 x DD3, 1 x VPC Côte d´Azur and 1 x VP Étoile du Nord), ep. II From Electrotren HE4027 - CIWL, 3-unit pack “Sud-expreso”, set 1/2 (DD3 + AA 5000 green with stripes and bellows + WL), ep. III-IV HE4028 - CIWL, 3-unit pack “Sud-expreso”, pack 2/2 (VPC Étoile du Nord + WL + WL), ep. III-IV AC: HC6104 (11.50 x 24.50 mm) wheelsets. From Rivarossi: HR4390 - CIWL, 3-unit pack “Edelweiss Pullman Express”, train set 1/2 (DD3, VPC Côte d´Azur + VP Étoile du Nord), ep. II HR4391 - CIWL, 3-unit pack “Edelweiss Pullman Express”, train set 2/2 (DD3, VPC Flèche d’Or + VP Étoile du Nord), ep. II

The CIWL coach packs. I don't know where to start... Available in three separate brands. Unless each brand carries differing road numbers, I can't see the point. On the surface, it seems to be a direct response to the Marklin's Eidelweiss set. Yet there are no 3-rail versions. The idea that I might like to vary the lighting intensity "1-5 seconds". Umm... for what reason? Finally, the rooftop-button. I actually don't even need to say anything more - it speaks for itself. My head is spinning from the sheer madness.

British and European nobility are for ever getting Australia to rename things like 'Shiraz' to 'Australian Black Fermented Grape Juice'. History of Shiraz

5860K might be what you're looking for. http://www.osterthun.com/0Laenderbahnen/Gueterwagen/F5860.htm Can't help with later versions, sorry. I may have been reissued under the same number. Here's one.

Sad news. At least they had a warehouse. At least one other French retailer appears to operate out of the back of a truck. If you are looking for another supplier with a modern level of customer service, I can recommend L'Attelier Du Train. If you are looking for misinformation, overcharging, rudeness, ignorance, poor quality stock and a generally disappointing experience, I can recommend Pierre Dominique.

I have never really contemplated how to install catenary on a slope. So thanks for doin' my head in on that one. I loved the schnell-schnell segment. Thanks for the Marklin madness, in a sea of 1/76.

Well I picked mine up from Kramm modelbahn this year. They (and others) have started selling used models. I just wanted the additional baggage cars...

there's a couple of these Liliput sets floating around in gebraucht stores currently. I think around EUR150 retail. They don't sell as fast as the Liliput CIWL coaches from the same time. Current issues from MaTrix and Brawa are packed with latest technological bells and whistles, depending on the version. Just as every DRG collector needs a few black and reds, a Rheingold set is also compulsory.

I overlooked this bit. I have one REE post van and one old EP2 France Trains port-lateralles 1/2 class. I saw a 7-peice set a few months back in one online store, all with EST markings, but it disappeared pretty quickly. Not sure what brand it was now.

Are you saying that YouTube listens to your radio?😱

These days we use Jarrah for flooring. According to wikipedia, Jarrah is found in SW Western Australia. So, it's a location thing. Retired ironbark sleepers found their way into gardens as retaining walls.

I don't post that often...

They flog the old Sisi movies here. There was also a series done last year? She's an interesting historical character. The movie portrays her as a bit of a tomboy, so that may have had something to do with the friendliness. German music improved considerably once Bowie and Iggy Pop moved into Berlin 😋.

Hello, I'm not sure where you're at with this currently. I have 20 cents for you: PN Sud Modelisme makes PLM kits and detail objects. I haven't bought any, so can't comment on the quality. REE Models and LS Models have done PO, Midi and PO-Midi models in HO. I have Jouef 2131 - 232-540 electric loco from a few years ago now. Also a handful of cars. I'm trying to acquire one express consist from each of the major pre-SNCF companies to mix and match with my ever expanding CIWL fleet. EST is proving to be problematic...

I could be wrong, but Ironbark is the likely candidate.

Thanks. That's pretty much what I was suggesting.

I don't how widespread it was in real life, but obviously popular enough: Trix HO Club car 2006

Antarctica For those of us that will never make it there.

Thanks! P.S. As both my parents passed away, I am currently available for adoption.

Here's some resources that might help: P N Sud Modelisme I'm not sure if he's still active, but various French modelisme sites seem to always a handful of pieces of this stock that may be of interest to your project. Just to note, I've never used any, so can't actually recommend it.

These are my favourite post wagons. The REE Ho models are fitted with interiors.

Apart from Roco's occasional pack of Era1 Austrian freight cars, there doesn't seem to be too much interest coming from MMR manufacturers. Brawa do a handful of G10 boxcars every year and maybe a tank car. Locos from this period, especially in 3 rail, are hard to come by, unless you want yet another BR18.1 or T5 Is it the natural order of things that this period is in decline for collecting?

Good grief. Virtually every European retailer (Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France) that I have dealt with over the past 12 years has been able to automatically deduct the Mkwst from the published price, based on the delivery address. They tie this in with the freight charge. They are all very good at it; they want your business. I have not encountered a retailer that didn't want to help, so if you are having problems, I suggest that you contact them again. One strategy I used was to post every paragraph in both English and German. This sometimes helps the reader to discern any nuances in what you may have asked them. They all have contact phone numbers as a last resort and most have English speaking staff. Menzels are a bricks and mortar retailer; it could be that they have been closed or short staffed due to lockdowns. I have dealt with them before and had no problems myself. EBAY is the only place that has ever caused me a problem with buying German made and/or sold MRR products.

European locos are also described by the number of axles, not wheels. e.g 1-5-0. Pacifics are 231s. etc. I also found that learning some German was the only way forward when dealing with German model rail. There are many translators available on the internet. Here's some reliable history in English at DBTrains Website.

I don't know that it was a rant. It was pointed out to me earlier in this discussion, that a lot of this forum's users will be affected by this. Having worked in a federal government for 30 years, I can say that it really will take time to re-assess legislation and put new policies and procedures into place. The friendly advice from me is to put off buying anything until that happens. If you can't wait, then expect problems and deal with them as they arise. The main function of Public (civil) Servants is to ensure that legislation is enacted correctly. Taxation, by definition is extremely complex. But as far as world events go, this really is in the bottom 10%. Down there with "Newt's disembodied plastic dolls-head". Enjoy.