Indholdsfortegnelse for No. 95 i Voie Libre international

Announced at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair, these small industrial engines are now available. Modellers will recall that in the days of Theodore Egger, these models were inspired by engines that used to carry out maintenance duties on the banks of the river Rhine. Like all MinitrainS models, the motor is installed vertically inside the cab, with a flywheel fitted on top. This ensures the engine runs smoothly, in particular at slow speeds. On this contemporary version, a large working lamp is fitted to the roof. This new model is available in 3 versions: ref. 2001, with black body and chassis; ref. 2002 with black body and red chassis or ref. 2003 with green body and red chassis. MINITRAINS INDUSTRIAL DIESEL ENGINE REF. 2001-2002 OR 2003 minitrains.eu RECOMMENDED…

During the summer, Bachmann Europe provided some important information relating to the electrical supply of its Baldwin 4-6-0 engines in 00-9. These engines are fitted with a driving mechanism derived from those found on N gauge locomotives from the Graham Farish range (part of the Bachmann group). They are fitted with a coreless motor that is unsuitable for feedback type controllers. Bachmann therefore recommends using a standard transformer supplying 0 to 12 Volts. Furthemore, Bachmann has just begun selling a compact decoder, fitted with an 18-pin socket, that can be used in its Baldwin 4-6-0 engines. It is available under reference 36-567 at a cost of ca. 20 euros.…

This is often a source of concern to enthusiasts faced with a malfunctioning model: how will the manufacturer’s customer service react? Well, this service can often be relied upon, as the editorail team of Voie Libre was able to observe this summer. With a Bachmann 4-6-0 T that stubbornly refused to run backwards, François Fontana sent his engine back to Hatton’s, the well-known British mail-order company. Three days later, the customer service contacted him, offering either a refund or an exchange for an equivalent model, as the specific reference in question was no longer in stock. Being in need of a spare motor for a faulty MinitrainS model, Éric Fresné emailed the company’s head office in Germany. He got an answer the following day and he was offered immediate shipment…

Realizing its potential in areas where communications networks were in ruins, the Ministry of Liberated Regions (M.R.L. in the French acronym) lost no time in becoming interested in military 60cm gauge railways. As soon as the armistice was signed, it contacted the Ministry of War to obtain access to all the 60cm gauge systems built on the front. An agreement was reached quickly and the French military networks were taken over by the M.R.L. as of 1st March 1919. However, the networks as a whole were in poor condition and could not be operated overnight. The rolling stock, worn out by four years of warfare and sometimes poor maintenance, was on its last legs. The systems built by the Artillery were very far from meeting the requirements of reconstruction. Finally,…

The small town of Znin (4,500 inhabitants in 1910) was connected as early as 1889 to the Hohensalza - Elsenau - Wongrowitz - Rogasen line of the Prussian State railway. The Znin - Szubin branch was added in 1895. From this railway hub, the former district of Znin built its own 600mm gauge lines in its southern parts, which belonged to the Bromberg region, in the Prussian province of Posen. A real railway hub The first stretch, which connected Znin, via Biskupin Dorf/Urstätt, to Szelejewo/Borkendorf (15.7km) was opened to general passenger and goods traffic on 1st July 1894, together with the branch from Biskupin to Rogowo/Seebrück (11.5km). Sugar beet traffic had already begun on 13th October 1893. On 9th June 1895, the Rogowo branch was extended by 12.7km as far…

The Tamiya Weathering Master palette of pastels is ideal for any modeller wishing to easily weather his rolling stock or scenic items. Very simple to use, these dry pastels produce a very satisfactory and even surprising result. Each palette, which has the appearance of a make-up box, contains three different shades and a double-ended application tool featuring a soft brush at one end and a mini-sponge at the other. The pastels can be applied dry, using the brush, or as a water-diluted wash, for example using the sponge. The weathering can be easily reversed, but can also be fixed using a matt varnish applied with an airbrush. These palettes are generally sold by retailers who hold the Tamiya range. With eight references available, meaning 24 possible shades, anyone keen on…

Bachmann has released its small Baldwin 4-6-0 in civilian or preserved version. A few small modifications have been made to the body: removal of the military lamps and of the water lifting hose coiled on the rear cab panel, and a new and attractive black and red livery with gold lining. With “PEGGY” plates added, we have the engine as it is preserved at the Ashover Light Railway - ref. 391-027. A closed cab version, as preserved on the Glyn Valley Tramway is also available - ref. 391-029. These locomotives are available in two versions, analogue or DCC. Bachmann has even included etched brass plates in the boxes, all that remains to be done is to fit them. BACHMANN BALDWIN 4-60 PEGGY REF. 391-027 ANALOGUE: 127.50£ DCC: 156.50£…

Architecture & Passion has just re-released a modified and improved version of the typical station building of the Pithiviers to Toury tramway. The structure of this new version is entirely made of wood, which will ensure fine weathering effects with inks or oil paints. The brick facings, supplied pre-decorated, are from that artisan’s Easydéco range. The station building is supplied with its ancillary shanty. ARCHITECTURE & PASSION www.architecture-passion.fr TPT DECAUVILLE STATION + “GRIGNEVILLE” SHANTY REF. 87HOE30 PRICE: 67.00€ PLUS POSTAGE…

We have selected the PLM two-door station building, because it is small enough to fit into any minor station project, be it on narrow, meter or secondary standard gauge. Once the order placed online, delivery took place a few days later; the reference was available as indicated on the company’s website. The walls are laser-cut out of high quality 3mm thick MDF; the facings out of fine card that takes colour well; the woodwork and a few detailing parts out of quality 1mm thick 3-ply plywood. The awning, which is the model’s most pleasing feature, is cut out of a kind of very rigid coated card: Krafplex, which is vaguely reminiscent of the presspahn material familiar to more elderly modellers! The parts are supplied in small white box, without any…

The turning wye is a facility that fascinates me. The possibility of reversing an engine or even a whole train is a source of fun on a layout. What’s more, for those keen on historical accuracy, this device was far more widespread than turntables on military or industrial railways. On the other hand, in the field of railway modelling, the turning wye is a bit of a challenge when it comes to feeding the various tracks properly. For the dedicated readers of Voie Libre, I had already tackled this topic in Issue 83. For this first attempt, controlling and electrically switching the turnouts had been entrusted to Peco motors and switches. The latter turned out to be rather tricky to adjust and my turning wye was far from reliable. For…

1 The building is erected, the facade is completed, I am now going to grow a wysteria plant on the left-hand side. The trunk and branches actually consist of roots that I collect when digging up my garden. 2 They are cleaned the roots and left to dry. The selected root is cut to the right size and glued in place with white glue. 3 As can be seen on this photo, the trunk is extended upwards with another section of root. The leaves (Heki-Flor Foliage) are glued to the branches, again using wood glue applied with a paintbrush. 4 To represent the clumps of flowers, I use a 12mm length of wire dipped in wood glue. 5 The glue-coated wire is then immersed in a dish containing a blend…

1 Here is the base of the project, a Piko carriage. I picked it up for 9€ only, as it happened to have lost a buffer! 2 The other key component: the driving chassis. I chose it for its wheelbase and its two bogies, for its narrowness to fit it under the body, but also for its budget price! 3 First stage: dismantle everything! Two screws under the body, a few tabs, a large plastic casting sprue that must be cut off and everything comes apart. Only three buffers, but not to worry: I only need two! 4 The difference in loading gauge between standard and narrow gauge is a 10mm wide strip! Mine coincides exactly with the width between the two windows on the body end-panels. This strip is…

With the release by Bachmann of the War Department Baldwin 4-6-0, the British artisan Narrow Planet has launched a special offer for whoever wishes to fit their engine with personalized plates. For the purchase of your choice of number plates or a pair of builder’s plates, you will get a 1.5£ discount by typing the code «platemybaldwin» when finalizing the order on their website. I received my plates wihtin a month and a half. Very neatly etched, they are simply glued over the markings of the model. If you want this to be made reversible, glue the plates with a tiny drop of white glue, of the Cléocolle or Cristalclear type. NARROW PLANET https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk / WAR DEPARTMENT NUMBER PLATES: 3.00£ POSTAGE INCLUDED USING THE CODE “PLATEMYBALDWIN”…

You are convinced you know it, you have already seen it, so you say to yourself: «I am familiar with the line, yet I don’t recognize this station»! And you are quite right, Sainte-Bernina doesn’t exist, but its reproduction – better still, its evocation – is so accurately modelled that this small station is almost better than the real thing! We met Eddy De Wilde several times, he is a highly motivated modeller who enjoys showing his creations and sharing his know-how. He took us on a tour of his Swiss station. François Fontana: Hello Eddy, I’m sure I know your station, but I can’t quite locate it... Eddy De Wilde: Hello, this station is located on the Bernina line of the Rhaetian Railways (RhB), the meter gauge line connecting…

Being an H0-12 fan, I bought the L45H diesel locomotive produced by Bemo. These engines, originally built in Romania, were used more recently for hauling work trains on French meter gauge railways. For the presence of such a machine to be plausible on my local layout set in Period III, you have to imagine that the operator of the line bought the locomotive new ex-works, before applying a fictitious, put plausible, livery. Once that is done, it can run on the railway. The mechanical items. Let’s add a ventilator! Irrespective of its livery, this engine features a very obvious ventilation grille. On recent H0 standard gauge models, engines of this type are fitted with a working ventilator. Why be deprived of such a device simply because we are on meter…

An industrial layout in 0-14 scale, whose tracks often run through the countryside, amongst trees and possibly even cows; but a layout that nevertheless smells of oil and grime… This is something you are quite sure to have seen already. And of course, now you remember, it’s a layout built by Escadrille Saint-Michel! We asked Michel, one of the “gang of four”, to tell us a bit more about what makes their layouts distinctive, and how they set about creating them. François Fontana: Hello Michel, could you remind us about what Escadrille Saint-Michel is, and how you got involved? Michel Valladeau: Hello, our group of four narrow gauge enthusiasts is a kind of subdivision of the Saint-Michel-sur-Orge club. My own modelling journey began in a traditional way, then I joined…

1 The armature that supports the cladding is cut of calendard card. Using a compass is a must if you want your octagon to be perfectly geometric! 2 The cladding is fixed onto the card armature using instant glue. 2mm wide seam covers cut of a sheet of samba are glued between each panel. 3 Covering the tank is probably the most delicate job. The roof consists of 8 isosceles triangles cut out of a sheet of samba. They are supported by triangular winglets and peripheral brackets cut out of the same material and glued directly to the armature. This stage requires great care when cutting and adjusting the winglets and the triangles! 4 The pillars of the framework are made out of rectangular skewer sticks. They are cut at…