Indholdsfortegnelse for No.111 i Voie Libre international

October, november, december 2022 CURE FOR GLOOM Y ou look pretty despondent! - Off colour, as my Grandma used to say! True, its autumn time, nasty headlines keep cropping up, nothing much to look forward to… - All the same, I think I have something nice for you. Issue 111 of Voie Libre has just been released. Here is something to be enjoyed, to get your mind off the news, to hâve plenty of fun. Railway modelling as a derivative, as medicine, as an antidote - cross out whatever you disagree with, or don't if you'd ratherthat's our motto within the editorial team. This quarter, take advantage of the end-ofseason shows to widen your horizons and let in the sunshine. We look forward to meeting you soon. Follow us on…

MINITRAINS TWO NEW WAGONS Two new wagons, fitted to the brand's standard chassis, have been released: a peat wagon and a open staff wagon with facing seats, for carrying workers on a site or convertible into a toast-rack wagon by addding a roof. The peat wagons are sold in sets of four, the staff wagons in sets of two. The axles are blackened, and the models sharply engraved and neatly cast. The chassis are injected in matt black plastic, the bodies in dark brown. François Fontana H0-9 MINITRAINS PEAT WAGONS. REF. 5187, PRICE: 39.90€ STAFF WAGONS. REF. 5186, PRICE: 26.90€ PREISER PREISER'S NEW RELEASES ARE AS PLEASING AS EVER! This new series features photographers on the lookout, but what are they after: a puffin colony or a train hauled by…

Put on the market a few years ago, this well-made and smooth running model does show a few faults that are obvious to specialists: the cab angles are sharp while they are curved on the prototype, and the recess on the rear of the cab, where a lamp fits, is missing. I decided to correct these mistakes, which can easilybe eliminated. note: take care, as modifying the model will cancel the warranty.…

LAYOUT TRACKPLAN WITH THE TILLIG LUNA TRACK RANGE. Monochrome postcards from the late XIXth and early XXth centuries are packed with views of tramways running through the streets of French cities, be they large or small! This is just the theme for a small exhibition layout, evoking a lengthy historical period stretching from the Roaring Twenties to the post-WWII baby-boom years. THE TRACKPLAN So as to ensure enough operational interest, the Project features 3 turnouts and a large fiddleyard, in this case a 4-track curved traverser. The layout is an urban tramline terminus built in the courtyard of the local mainline station. A loop siding, with a short headshunt, allows the motor unit to run round its trailer. Two lines originate from this terminus, they come together in the fiddleyard,…

LIVING WATER Water can be modelled using different techniques: by applying acrylic or oil paints covered with glossy varnish onto a neutral background. This simple technique can only be used on smooth surfaces without pebbles, as they cannot be drowned in the water. Other Products can also be used, such as: Realistic Water by Woodland Scenics, two-part icing resin for small thicknesses or Modellwasser XL by Noch. There is no shortage of products and techniques. Personnally, I am fond of inclusion resin. I will demonstrate how to proceed for a river and the branch of a pond. The river that feeds the mill wheel is on a slope, the mill race is being overhauled, and therefore closed. The pond branch is on the level. To make the stones more obvious,…

The layout Plan The master-cook is Roderik, the layout is Jimm Limonade, and what got it all started was a micro-layout challenge organized by the Belgian show Modelspoorexpo in Louvain in 2018. The trackplan is based on Giles Favell's layout plan (Voie Libre n° 68): an interchange area between standard and narrow gauge; beyond that, however, all of Roderik's imagination and inventiveness kicked in! Roderik Vanderkelen: I adapted Giles Favell's trackplan from his The Loop layout, to increase its shunting potential. I also adapted the theme, as I wanted something more typically Belgian. What is more Belgian than a brewery? But I do not drink beer, and plenty of layouts have chosen that theme. I conjured up the idea of a lemonade factory. In the 1960s, there were many of…

TILLIG THE HARZ DR 2-10-2 T 99 237 IN PERIOD III H0-12 A new version of these splendid locomotives from the metre gauge network in the Harz mountains has been released. This locomotive, built by LKM in 1955, was first delivered to the Eisfeld-Schönbrunn railway, then transferred on 5th November 1973 to the Harz depot at Wernigerode, where it has remained ever since. Weighing in at 48 tons empty, 61 tons in working order, and delivering 515 kW/700hp, its maximum speed is 40 kp/h, The model, identical to the versions previously released, runs very smoothly and realistically. It is fitted with a NEM Next 18 662 socket for digitizing and/or fitting sound. The markings confirm its assigned shed (overhaul 1963, Meiningen works). Three directional white LED lights at each end.…

What's New Well known for his 3D printed scale models of vintage lorries, Axel Vega has just broken away from the Shapeways printing platform for their marketing by creating his own online shops. Henceforth, his lorries are no longer supplied as rough prints, but as kits comprising printed parts with instructions, pre-cut glazing, wire for the axles and even driving mirrors and windscreen wipers for some models. The range of French vehicles in H0 has been expanded with models calling upon laser-cut card for the bodies. Finally, in parallel to his French models, Axel has launched a range of laser-cut vehicles and buildings inspired by the U.S.A. in the 1940s and 1950s. Éric Fresné GATHERINGS Come and see us at: - Railexpo in Dreux on 25th26th and 27th November. -…

1904 Prosper Péchot explained to the students of the Ponts et Chaussées engineering school the French military doctrine applying to 60cm gauge field railways. It foresaw its use in the case of a siege war, either for attacking, or defending, a stronghold. This scenario was put to the test many times during major manoeuvers between 1894 and 1914. Ten years later, with war taking the shape of an extensive siege, 60cm gauge field railways quickly became one of the main means for supplying the frontline. As early as November 1914, the first massive orders of equipment were issued. It was also decided to organize the troops needed to build and operate the future networks, of which there was a serious shortage at the time. Péchot, called out of retirement in…

The 1915 offensives demonstrated the difficultes linked to concentrating the ammunition required for artillery preparation. As road transportation displayed its limitations, 60cm gauge was shown to be essential to move across the area separating the standard gauge railheads from the front. The generalized use of 60cm gauge field railways implied ordering steam locomotives and wagons from the beginning of 1915 and defining new types of stock. As the plumes of smoke emitted by the locomotives were easily spotted by the enemy, the general staff decided to use internal combustion engines. The Schneider company one of the French wartime industry heavyweights, was selected to design the Artillery's first locotractor. LG OR LG3 This machine was built jointly by Schneider and by its affiliate SOMUA (Société d'Outillage Mécanique et d'Usinage d'Artillerie). A…

This is an adventure we had had in mind ever since we met Robert Neumann, the manager of the Ferro-Train Halling Modelle firm: to have a tramway we could arrange to our taste so that all modellers could include one on their layout. Whether the tram connects with the mainline trains or is the subject of a dedicated layout. We chose a 4-wheeler model with end balconies, in kit form, with or without driving mechanism, together with its trailer. INSIDE THE PARCEL The parcel contains a good many high quality injected plastic parts. Everything fits together with simple tabs, and assembly is so accurate that glue is almost unnecessary! Depending on whether you opt for a driving unit or a trailer, the roof clerestory will differ and naturally, the driving…

To increase the capacity of plank transport nothing better than a large flat wagon on bogies. Bernd used two P'tits Kits Voie Libre bogies to create his own according to the one circulating in Abreschviller. He explains how he did it. A nice DIY for a long autumn weekend and a very satisfying result. Of course, this type of wagon can be mounted on any bogie! SUPPLiES Two bogies Evergreen Passenger car réf. 3025 2 × 2 mm réf. 164 1 × 1 mm réf. 142 0,25 × 1 mm réf. 102 Polystyrene glue…

PERSPECTIVES AND REMOTENESS Quittancourt is located on a plain, with very little relief. And as soon as I began building it, I decided to play fair by not building slopes in the background. The layout ends on a low embankment. To give it the depth it lacks, and evoke the distance, I decided from the outset to add a backscene. My abilities as a figurative artist being what they are, but also to save time, I opted for a photographic backscene. THE PICTURE When designing this backscene, I faced two technical issues that are actually linked to each other. First of all, a 2.40m long layout requires taking a panoramic photograph. This is possible with most smartphones. Using a camera can require calling on image Processing software offering an assembly…

PECO KATO NEW LIVERY FOR THE LITTLE ENGLAND 0-4-0 ENGINES The small tender 0-4-0 locomotives, Prince et Princess, have been announced in green livery with black lining and grey chassis. These new models should be available at the end of the year. François Fontana H0-9/009 TECHNIQUE LEOPOLD HALLING: A NEW DRIVING CHASSIS This is not really a new chassis, but a modernization of the Vario type, which is part and parcel of the brand's strong reputation. It is now fitted with a tiny coreless motor. Running more smoothly than the previous version, more compact, without the flywheels, this motor fits into many of the brand's models. The wheelbase can be set at 23, 26 or 30.4mm for gauges ranging from 16.5 to 9mm. The chassis is fitted with 9mm diameter…

CENTRAL FOLDER PLANS IN 1/43,5 AND 1/87 (P 41-44) After having dedicated a first study to the station of Aumagne-Reignier, located on the Charentes network of the CFD (Voie Libre n° 109), we take here a trip to CharenteMaritime, to discover another type of standardized CFD building: the halts. WHY SHOULD CONSTRUCTION BE STANDARDIZED? Just like standard gauge mainline companies, the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer Départementaux attempted to standardize part of its rolling stock and buildings. One same study allowed for each of the company's networks to be equipped as they were built. Of course, some were adapted to local requirements, either through their architecture, or simply by stretching them if needed. One obvious example were the engine sheds, built to the same diagram but sometimes extended, as was…

Halling Modelle has manufactured a specific chassis for this vintage tram. Two axles with blackened wheels are driven by a cascade of straight gears and worm gears. The 3-pole moto ris fitted with flywheels. High gearing ratio, smooth running, this an old model but a true driving mechanism classic whose gauge can vary from 16.5 to 9mm and whose wheelbase can be set to 23, 26.5 or 30mm. After having run in the tram for a few hours in both directions, it will behave perfectly out on the line. The tram body is quite full, any figures will have to be amputated to fit onto the seats, and the space available for any additional ballast is very much at a premium! But there is no need for extra weight, the…

Gonçalo Germano is a Portuguese modeller who is fond of narrow gauge and a reader of Voie Libre. Obviously someone reputable;-))! He sent us a short text, with a few photos, and told us how he had taken advantage of lockdown and workingfrom-home periods to create the model described by Raymond Duton in VL 94. François Fontana: Hello Gonçalo, we have hereafine-looking railcar, a Raymond Duton model, very much inspired but significantly adapted. Gonçalo Germano: Hello, yes, and many thanks to Raymond Duton, I love what he makes. I fell for this small railcar, magnificent, ugly and delightful. It has everything I enjoy in railway modelling and narrow gauge: the magic and mystery of its size, the freedom to adapt the model to the builder's imagination. I was not familiar…

DISCOVERY The inauguration of the entire line took place on 10th June 1893, with operations starting four days later. Although the traffic was quite a bit lower than expected, the rolling stock turned out insufficient at peak periods. The financial situation of the SPB quickly worsened and as early as 5th December 1894, the shareholders decided to sell the entire railway to the BOB (Berner-Oberland-Bahn) for a price of 200,000 Swiss francs, when building the line had cost more than 2.918,000 Swiss francs. From then on, the Schynige Platte line was part of the estate of the BOB, the latter company being in charge of its operation. The line The line originates from the BOB station at Wilderswil du BOB, 3.24km from the tourist resort of Interlaken. This is where…