MichaelE

Started hanging wire about a week or more ago. The three curved tracks are finished and I've started on the straight section now. It looks like a rat's nest in the photos, but it looks OK in person. I guess. This is my first scratch-built catenary...and my last.

Catenary is going up. I have the last cross-span bridge to build to day, and I have some pull-off masts to install, and a tensioner on the west service track, then the wire hanging begins.

Yes, someone else told me about the snipping tool, so I will try that for the other structures that I need to make flats for. The outer track was originally standard gauge and I ran ÖBB trains on it. It remained dual gauge until I installed the points for the station entrance and exit, but the standard gauge rail had to be cut away when I did so. The three leg dual gauge turnouts were a custom job because I mounted the narrow gauge rail on the wrong side of the sleepers, and did not have room for a change-over track piece. This is now only meter gauge but I left the standard gauge rail in place.

More work on Langwiess today after my scenery materials arrived. I have a few loose ends to tie up and the catenary erecting will begin. This is not exactly as I pictured it turning out, but it is a reasonable representation of the station area. I was very short on room on the back edge of the sub-roadbed and had to use a building flat for the Milch Haus just to the left of the sation. I'm also missing a storage shed and an open sided shed to the right of the station and will probably use flats for those too. I used Google Maps to get a shot of the Milch Haus structure, but I had to use my cell phone to take a pic since you can't do a screen shot on Google Maps. I'll do the same for the other two small structures when I get around to it. I emailed it to myself and scaled it in Photoshop and then printed it and cut it out and pasted it to a piece of foam board. The trees do a fair job of hiding the trains on the back return tracks. At least it breaks up the pantograph travel so it's not so noticeable.

If you were me, would any of you here paint those handrails and grabs red, or leave them in the natural finish for contrast and noticing the details?

No, I didn't notice that with my aging vision. I'll have to put a glass on it and have a look. Thanks for letting me know. 😃

Thanks Jim.

My new Bemo Ge 4/4 III arrived safely yesterday and I managed to detail it this morning and afternoon. Some of these parts are so darned tiny I was using a magnifying glass for everything except the MU hoses. The holes were large enough for me to see and the hoses slid right in the holes. I'm breaking it in now, and programmed the address, but I like the way it runs out of the box so I won't be playing with any CV's. This is going to take the place (most of the time) for the ABe 4/4 III Triebwagen that has been on service for about three years or more now. I'll still run the Triebwagen, but its earned a part-time retirement. Excellent detail and running from Bemo. Hope the motor holds out. My Allegra is already on its second motor.

Sud Express really did a nice job on this model. No detail too small or insignificant for them to include. So far, this is the nicest model on the railroad. It runs great, sounds great, and looks great. I tried to find that missing wiper blade on the rear cab, but never found it. I rechecked the packaging and looked in the spare parts bag, but no wiper blade. I think it was missing out of the box. Pantographs operate smoothly and with sound, and they are adjustable through CV settings for height. I like them where they are as they are below the wire slightly and don't catch on the registration arms where the catenary starts on my layout. One of these days I'm going to complete this catenary. Fans automatically start in Diesel mode and shutoff when switching to electric mode. The machine room lights come on with the cab lighting. The Diesel engine is much louder than the electric mode, but I guess that's to be expected. It also includes extra buffers and the buffers are sprung. The parts bag had extra grab irons, and snow plows. I removed the front coupler and box and installed the full plow, MU hoses, and the traditional coupler. Even the MU hose valves were pre-painted yellow and red. I've never seen that on any model. The only detail omitted was the inside wells of the steps are supposed to be white but they left them in the molded black color. That's all I found comparing it to photos and video of the actual locomotive.

I found out that the pantograph servos are installed on this model. I was very happy to hear this.

My almost 18 month pre-order finally arrived at MSL and was notified this morning. Purchased it immediately and should be on it's way across the Pond in a day or two. This one is Loksound 5 DCC equipped and has the operating fans, but the pantograph servo kit is not installed and is supposed to be offered in the future. It's a shame it doesn't already come installed for what they want for this model. Video reviews looked good and the detail is amazing with many separate etched parts, numerous lighting options, and great sound as always from ESU.

Congratulations Jim! Great photos too.

Swiss Model Rail specializes in RhB unique catenary parts that Sommerfeldt and Veissmann do not carry. They also have many RhB station and railroad accessories that are also unique to the RhB. A note on rolling stock: Certain parts of the RhB network only run the shorter wagons because of the tight curves. Research what part of the line you will model so you have the correct wagons.

When the motors don't burn up after four months.

Those are some really great prices compared to BEMO HOm scale. That is, if my currency converter is working properly.

It's made by Roco in HO scale.

Just arrived from MU in Germany. In Bahnland Bayern paint. Great runner with many sounds and many lighting options.

They should be spot on if they are using RAL colours. I too have used Roco tires on both PIKO and TRIX locomotives with no trouble.

I was finally able to get the new motor installed and the Allegra is running like new. I guess mine had a bum motor from the factory. I hope this one holds up.

This model of the Langwies station and surrounding area in on a grade on my layout, but not by choice.

The new motor arrived last month, but with the cooler temperatures here lately I have not yet installed the new motor. Too nice outside to be inside. I'll get around to it in a week or two. I hope.

I don't know how that could be when the standard gauge locomotives have been running fine for more than four years. It's all the same electrical supply.

That is out of warranty so I suppose I will have to purchase a motor for it. I think that it is quite the coincidence that my first and only two Bemo locomotives experienced the same exact problems. The only difference is that the ABe 4/4 III lasted a full 18 months before the problem started and was very intermittent for awhile before becoming critical and finally failing too. I have not read about any touble with Bemo locomotives of this sort on any of the RhB or Bemo forums. I can't understand why this problem has occurred or how to prevent it in the future. I see Bemo locomotives on layouts with steeper grades than what I have built pulling three and four times the rolling stock and I never hear about the problems I'm having.

There was no change in operation after decoder replacement. I contacted Bemo for warranty service and they said they would send me a new motor. Based on my explanation, they say that the motor is failing or has failed.

ESU wrote to me and informed me that they have sent my replacement decoder for the Allegra. I hope this one works better than the first.