D1023

Here is a video of the Roco 'wheeliebin' railcar in action. Sorry about the dodgy camera work.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spG0dEdzY2A

Cheers Chris, that's very kind! I hope to take some decent (non phone) photos and maybe a video or two in the coming weeks...

I wish I had the space! Although must confess to browsing the Jouef website the other day !

Yes I was same, planned to wait for another (earlier) livery release. However no regrets and will probably get the next release as well !!

A bit of a random e-bay purchase is REE models sound fitted SNCF BB67035. The Redcap is unperturbed by the imposter.

This is the Roco ZSSK 810 railcar and trailer. I wasn't going to buy this, having spent much € and effort in building the kit I had. However I read the reviews and decided to buy the sound fitted version. It really is an excellent model.

The stock for a later departure to Humenné is stabled opposite the abandoned weighbridge at Stakčín.

Cheers for that link. I think I will order. I really like the RIV t-shirt!

Reviving this topic with a progress report. Last year I sourced the ES Pečky kit for this model from a model shop in Žilina. The kit was supplied without wheels, so I cannibalised as Roco Gbgs wagon to provide wheels and axle boxes/hangars. The kit was very simple to construct along with a few minor modifications to bring it up to date with the photos I had. Transfers are by Martin Model.

I considered ordering this loco but in the end decided to wait until they release a 754 in this livery. Whilst the model is of its current state as a museum loco. It did run in ZSR service in this livery from circa 2000 until withdrawal c.2005. The earliest pic I can find is here https://www.k-report.net/ukazobrazek.php?soubor=604314.jpg&stranka=1 It looks like ZSR used this livery on a few other 753's and then later on some 754's in era's V & VI but I cant find any evidence of this livery on used 'Goggles' prior to 2000. A useful website is here http://www.strojvedouciplzen.cz/index.php?page=foto&id=2

Cheers. Yes it was the freight operations that made it an attractive subject for me to model. I've been there three times and each time the trip engine has been there shunting the terminals. So I would imagine it runs most days. It comes from Humenne about 30kms away and may serve other places on the branch. 7/4/17 4/7/18

An update on Stakčin; I've pretty much finished the scenic work over the last few months and have spent the last few weeks adding the detail parts such as people, cars and other stuff etc. Still lots of little bits to do.... A few pics taken this afternoon.. An 810 railcar and trailer leave Stakčin Passing the river valley. A Grumpy hauled freight approaches Stakčin Station Bar. A 750 runs round its train. 770 'Čmelák' shunting the timber terminal Grumpys at Stakčin Coach still wearing a shabby and obsolete ZSR livery The evening train to Humenne waits to leave. 752 070 waits for the passenger train to leave before it will begin shunting operations

Summer in Slovakia. Class 752 'Grumpy' heads past with a freight.

I kept the originals. They do look flimsy I agree, but had no problems myself with them. Although obviously my layout is fixed in place....

yes, cleaned up with a file and a tight fit. The track has been down two years and I've had no problems at all. You do need nerves of steel to get the points into the underlay . I had 9 to do and after the first couple you get the hang of it.

Hi Wandering Blue, I’m genuinely struggling to remember how I did it! It was very much trial and error. Despite Tillig track looking fragile I found that with care you could get the track out of the styrostone without damaging it if you needed to. What I did was solder the droppers to the bottom of the rail joiners, this kept the wires in the underlay and out of sight. Once laid you could slide a spare sleeper (after cutting the chairs off) into the empty slot in the underlay. So having loosely laid the track into the underlay – I knew where to drill the holes – at the rail joins. Everything was tested before I glued the styrostone down. I laid my points first – just using PVA to glue them in place – then being a simple trackplan, I laid one loop and did the points at the other end. Then a simple job of laying the other loops - first in the underlay – then test laying the track and drilling at the rail joins. Once happy I pressed the track firmly into the Styrofoam and glued the lot in place. I have to say Tillig track is excellent. And the styrostone reduces track noise significantly. Tim

I've been busy over the last few months finishing the bulk of the scenic work on the approach to the station at Stakčín. There is still quite a bit to do to the grassy area at the front. And also many layers of varnish to go on the river. Also I have lined the road. I did this by hand using masking tape And in keeping with others in this section I have been distracted buying unsuitable motive power but I couldnt resist another NoHab. This one is a NMJ model and came sound fitted, although I have since replaced the speaker with a better quality one. A very nice model The class 754 'Goggle' on the bench for weathering

Thanks for the info and posting the pics. Just to balance the books; here are a few in use in Czech.. Olomouc 13/2/17 Vyškov na Moravě 24/1/13 Kájov 13/6/13 Rybnik 14/6/13

Does anyone know the purpose of these vehicles. Are they brake vans in the UK sense or more for staff accommodation ? From my observations they are still quite prevalent in Czech Republic but seem less common in Slovakia although the photo is taken at Margecany (near Kosice) in 2018 Are they available in HO ?

A few general shots of the layout taken yesterday;

An update to my layout; Above : next the station I have made the semi derelict barn/garage that exists in reality. In the space next to it I decided to add a station bar - the sort that is so common in eastern europe, although Stakčín doesn't actually have one in reality. Both structures scratch built from plasticard. Above: The scrubland on the approach to Stakčín station Above: Dwellings and yet to be detailed gardens on the approach to Stakčín. The houses are WEPE kits. Above: Random e-bay purchase, a Roco Siemens Herkules ER20 lok. These do run on ZSR metals - although probably not to Stakčín as yet. I've fitted it with JBR/Jacek sound - which is excellent as ever.

A few pics of work over the xmas holidays: Scenic groundwork in the station loading yard Overgrown, abandoned goods shed Static grass applied to the wood yard end of the layout. I think it has captured the unkept look of the real thing. The wood yard has been walled/fenced with a scattering of weeds. It awaits the piles of processed logs and other details. What will be the main road crossing disappearing into the backscene. Roadway markings still to be figured out..

Lovely photo! The photos on that page taken from Railway Walk bring back memories too!

1975/76. It was either being taken to Worcester Shed to see a bashed up D1055 or being lifted up at Worcester SH so I could see (what I'm told was D1048) in Worcester Yard on the china clay empties.

A bit of an xmas update; Santa brought a Čmelák. A Roco version, which is now fitted with JBR sound and I also have Martin Model transfers to turn it into ZSSKC 771-195 at some point. I have also started some scenic work - here is a pic of the wood yard end of the station And a photo of the start on the woodyard scenic details. I'll be using the xmas break to make a dent in the required scenic work. More photos to follow....