duff man

I've only just had chance to catch up with RM web and can't believe the wonderful comments Wolfstatt has received, Lewis and I had a brilliant weekend with the team and greatly appreciate the kind words posted with many thanks. Wolfstatt was built to entertain which we certainly managed to do, Yes plenty of items have already been weathered however if you study the real thing the rail networks in the rural areas do tend to be clean further to this rolling stock especially locomotives are kept very clean compared to UK standards. Rest assured more stock will be treated accordingly as time passes. Lewis and I feel quite humbled by the above comments coming from far more experienced modelers. we now look forward to our next outing in Loughborough this August. Finally Paul you have posted a lovely video both here and on youtube which shows what Wolfstatt is all about ie plenty of action, thank you. Craig.

Hi Pete, Given the difficulties in getting MBR trees I tried Primo last summer along with model scene. Have to say I agree with you there's about a dozen Primo items on Wolfstatt at the moment. Craig.

Hi Nigel Thanks for the tip ref Roco tyres fitting other manufacturers products, I'll give it a go. Wolfstatt's 1st exhibition will be Ally Pally next March.

Hi Nigel. I share your view's in all respects however the one area which is the most important to me is running qualities and spare parts availability which in my view the Roco version wins hands down. I need high mileage from my loco's so traction tyres must be readily available something LS would struggle with. LS make beautiful models as do Jagerndorfer but put them on a exhibition layout and it's not long before bits start to disappear through handling. There is also a price premium with LS which given the finer detail is totally understanderble. As always you pays your money and takes your choice. You have the best of both worlds there and I'm sure you enjoy both in there own way. Craig. Wolfstatt

Hi Peter. Given your usual flair and eye for detail I'm sure this will be nice, OHLE again ? Craig.

May I very respectfully suggest the lack of volunteers is because your layout theme is very of the wall. I have watched it develop over the almost ten years it has taken to build. I have been building my own large layout over the same ten years. Mine is due to hit the exhibition scene next year and at 30ft x 12ft requires a eight man team. My layout is based on present day rail operations in Austria on a alpine main line. Please don't think I gloat when I say I have the opposite problem, I am well over subscribed with volunteers my Membership of the Austrian railway group has given me a window through there journal to regularly inform members on developments over the years, this has naturally created a solid pool of like minded individuals to call on. I personally don't have any reservations about having large layouts at exhibitions and there cost to the organisers, there are plenty already out there which have gone down well with the visiting public, Organisers are very aware of the fact they need to create a varied selection for the event to go down well. To many shunting planks arriving in car boots is value for money but without the pull of large layouts doesn't create in my view a balanced or very exciting event. Your layout has already been on show at large events including Warley which is where I saw it. What you and the team have created is a solid well detailed model railway of which you should be very proud of. In general I find the british railway modellers very narrow minded when it comes to anything railway related that isn't on our tiny island. There is a vast world of railways out there which your layout seeks to proove. finding operators may be difficult but good on you for putting something refreshingly different out there. I wish you well. Craig.

Tomorrow the Austrian railway group are holding there annual exhibition at the Aston court Hotel Derby located bang opposite the railway station. Open 10am/4.30 pm, free admission and car parking on site. There will be five layouts to view including Wolfstatt a 30ftx10ft HO layout based on modern day Austria set in a alpine scene. Trade support from Mount Tabor models. If you are local and have nothing better to do you will be made more than welcome.

Just part of everyday life on the Austrian rail network, a delightful place to watch trains.

Hi. Its called brand loyalty. Many will only buy from one manufacture this therefore justifies duplication. It's a continental thing I know it doesn't make any sense to us in the UK, Continental manufacturers are lucky to have such a loyal customer base. Craig.

Have you considered joining the Austrian Railway Group based in the UK. A google search will find them easily. They have a world wide membership, a active forum, a quarterly journal in English. a model section plus other benefits. A very friendly bunch of guys with a mountain of knowledge between them.

Hi, I agree this is a lovely model. If this was sold as a new item I would contact the dealer regarding the faults you mention, if you bought this as a pre used item I would get the chip checked out at my local model shop. Most unusual for a Zimo chip to fail in my experience.

I have three IGRA megaflats, which I am pleased with. Derailing is a problem however the simple answer is put self adhesive car wheel balance weights inside the containers, problem solved. The other issue is they don't like tight radius track anything below radius three could be a problem and finally use Roco close couplers. Having completed the above mine now perform perfectly.

Mount Tabour have now got a direct account with Bemo, this was indicated to me on my visit last week. I have always found Ian to be enthusiastic and most helpful.

Hi. The best advice I can give is settle down with you tube, Your question is very open ended and the subject material is vast, start with your chosen time frame and sit back. If like me you will come to the conclusion its as clear as mud but be patient and things will begin to fall into place. It will help if you have a area of interest in mind ( for me its the Austrian Brenner) you will come across literally hundreds of video's posted by various individuals. You will after a while begin to understand what goes where and how the trains are marshalled. Further to this consider joining the Austrian Railway group and the Swiss railway society, both have plenty of help and advice available as well as active forum's. It's not a quick fix, I have spent eight years working on my project and it's only in the last couple of years that I feel I have a reasonable understanding of How the modern European freight scene functions. Have fun. Craig.

I take a tracing of the deck, then mark where the cars are to be located. I then put the tracing back on the deck and drill two small holes where each car is to be located. I now drill two holes under the car and make metal or plastic pins which are then inserted under the car. If you have been careful with your measurements the cars will now line up as you insert them on the deck held in place with a small blob of Evo stick. I Use Evo stick so that cars can be removed if needed. Craig.

Also moving people when the doors open via a small screen

Hi, lovely photo's I enjoyed having a look. with a bit of luck might be able to get back to Austria this year. Have you considered forwarding them to the Austrian Railway group for inclusion in the Archive? Thanks for posting them. Craig.

very interesting container haul in the video. also like the traverser idea you don't see them modelled.

I like the sound of your plan, you seem to be well up to speed with what's what. I use flexi track in the main, my tightest radius is good old feet and inches 3ft 6 however I do have set track curving into the fiddle yard which is 3rd radius. This doesn't cause any problems for the rolling stock even with all the detail bits fitted. Just a tip not all containers fit all platforms various manufacturers use different fixings, to get round this I use double sided tape which works fine so long as the wagons aren't being removed from the layout regular. I also fit self adhesive car wheel balance weights inside the container to give the rolling stock a more solid hold to the track. Craig.

A further point. You mentioned Kombimodell on your first post. There models are mainly based on Swiss prototypes, Swiss multi model traffic dose have a lot more four axel rolling stock T3000e's are seen but not as much as in Austria/Germany etc.

Hi Roco T3000e's are easy to detail however if you are running them on a layout a lot of detail needs to be left off. My layout has large radius curves so I can get away with installing the full detail pack. Containers/trailers are easily swopped over, there are many manufacturers out there supplying containers/tank tainers etc the list is almost endles. All manufactures supply the various fittings needed to load different containers onto there platforms. Once you get into it you end up with a box full of fittings. May I suggest you spend some time looking at Youtube to get an idea as to what to put with what, I model Austrian so the Brenner is my source for inspiration which is reflected in what runs on my layout. As my earlier post said this is a fast subject which the European model manufactures serve well between them. Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you require any futher info. Craig.

Hi There are many continental model modal ranges available. The main players are Roco, Trix, ACME, LS, Igra, Rocky rail, Mehano, B-Modells to name a few. Kombi's range is mainly items operated by Swiss companys and yes unless you pre order they are difficult to track down. Conti kits somtimes have items listed. This is a vast subject which has taken me at least 8 years to get to grips with, a good starting point would be the Roco t3000e's which are just being released now, some with trailers some with containers. You can find them listed on Gaugemasters web site, I also deal with Scograil, CandM, AandH in the UK they all stock reasonable ranges. To get a bigger picture look at Modellbahnlippe there site is rammed with stuff. All manufacturers I have listed above I consider to be of excellent quallity. Finally check out Ebay here and in germany. Have fun Craig.

Thank you for the details, I have been in contact with Andreas who has now forwarded various samples with calculations showing print size etc. It would seem that I will require x12 modules, I am now just finalising the best fit then the order will go off to him. He is quite positive about posting to the UK as well as being very helpful. Craig.

Indeed it dose, a member from the Austrian railway group has given me more details about this manufacturer. Thank you. Craig.

How about Jagerndorfer OBB Cityjet, a fantastic model also Brawa are releasing the OBB talent again in the Cityjet livery. Craig.