Voie Libre international APRIL MAI JUNE 2017 - 89

There are many differences between Stéphane Petit, whose Laplique Lemonade factory is believable, but built in large and fairly homogeneous blocks, Manfred Luft, whose dream-like layout is created in pointillist style, or Marcel Ackle whose approach to modelling is hyper-realistic. Many differences also between Raymond Duton who built a highly accurate model of the Leyat motor-trolley, and a freestyle narrow gauge locotractor. Many differences, finally, between a Swedish secondary railway, a Polish line or a light railway on the island of Ré! All these differences are what ensures the rich content of our hobby and what brings us all together, the modeller community. We encourage you to come and discover these many differences in Lille, on 28, 29 and 30 April, and to celebrate with us Loco-Revue’s 80th anniversary, at…

BEMO : MOB MOTOR UNITS N° 11 AND 20 This is a motor unit model we have been really looking forward to. Built by SIG and Alioth for the electrical part, this 20 class (numbered 7 to 20) was ordered for the extensions of the MOB line from Montbovon to Gstaad then Zweisimmen between 1904 and 1906. Weighing in at 27.6 tons, they delivered 260hp then later 340 after a forced ventilation system was fitted for the motors. The original maximum speed of 45kph was later increased to 50, and these units allowed a full development of this line which then took on a truly regional nature. The second class compartments were even served by a side corridor. Most of these units ended their career in the late 1960s. N°…

The atmosphere in the great train hall at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair was the same as the previous year: quiet. That’s not to say that the few new releases we saw weren’t pleasing, quite the contrary, rather that they were a little too tame and somewhat too expected. The trend observed in previous years has been confirmed, artisans no longer attend, while industrial firms tend to play a waiting game. New releases are announced in advance, the manufacturers’ catalogues being published in the weeks leading up to the event. 1/22.5 SCALE, 45MM GAUGE Garden railway enthusiasts, take note, LGBhas produced a new version of the VI K 0-10-0 T locomotive, with a new chassis, a new motor and a new body. For younger people, the brand has also released…

Dozens of steam, diesel or electric locomotives, of all types and scales, ranging from 1/5 to 1/220, will be heard whistling or honking in the Lille Grand Palais! Narrow gauge will have a strong presence, and this will be the moment to see many of the layouts you have dreamt of: Zafra, Bretzelburg, Vis-en-Artois, Cussec S.A, L’Aubraie, Tussen Klei en Leuzze, Pempoul, La Grotte Champi… Lillewillalsoprovidetheopportunitytodiscovermany layouts new to the exhibition circuit: Mers-les-Bains, Albula, Lebagout, Lewin Leski, Roquaigras-Villon, the Waladhol sauerkraut factory, La Sombre del Volcan, Jura Forest, Porto Flavia, Passion IIm, Zwaaghoek, Roots of Motive Power, Jean-Ville, the brickworks, the Amiens market gardens, Bouillière, Tombroekstraat, the Saf’ate, Vault en Auge foundry, Berland Grizzli River, Akihiro Morohoshi’s micro-layouts or a gathering of Croisées… SITE http://www.trainsmania.com/…

The layout at a glance Scale: 1/43.5 Track: 16.5mm gauge, home-made Control: analogue Dimensions: 80 x 40cm Inspiration: private artisan siding It all started with the launch of the challenge jointly organized by Voie Libre and RAMMA in Sedan no less than… yes, that’s right, six years ago! Stéphane Petit dived in; he created a layout with one single turnout and a sector plate, in an urban environment. Somewhere in the suburbs of a town in Forez, in the French Massif Central, an industrialist has decided to take advantage of the incredible quality of a local spring. All he needs is sugar, lemons and bottles to manufacture the best, the only, the true Laplique Lemonade! The layout Stéphane enjoys creating an atmosphere and on his previous layout (in N scale),…

Stéphane wanted lightweight track, of the type found in the Decauville catalogues. He therefore decided to build it all himself: Peco code 60 nickel silver rail, soldered onto copper-clad epoxy sleepers. For the turnout, he wisely opted to meet Bernard Daillan, of the Escadrille Saint-Michel, who explained how to build a turnout according to the diagram Jacques Royan had given him. “Down to work”! And Stéphane himself built it. The turnout levers are made of cardboard, and they move!…