Voie Libre international JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER - 122

Creation is something highly personal, a matter of feelings, a matter of emotions, a subtle blend of experiences, memories and of what is perceived of the present moment. Railway modelling is a creative process, not unlike art, an artistic practice combined with quite a few technologies, or more accurately techniques. Our world is evolving, our context is evolving, our way of doing things is evolving. Railway modelling is indeed calling increasingly on technologies, which we adapt to serve us, which we attempt to help us to the greatest extent with our creative urge. However, our practice should never be replaced by a machine, however evolved, however greedy for natural resources. Our hobby is the expression of human beings, of talents, of sensitivities. This is something we must preserve! Have a…

This dynamic retailer has released two new PKP liveries for the Bemo L45H Faur BB. Unit Lxd 2 286 is in classic red livery with yellow stripe, and Lxd 2 308 is in dark green Stonka livery with orange stripe, normally applied to standard gauge diesels. This livery was then applied to it following its remotorization in 1983 with a Wola motor (Henschel licence) instead of the original Maybach, by the PKP works at Siedlce. The features of the Bemo rmodels remain unchanged, they are supplied in 9mm gauge, but the axles can be swopped for 12mm gauge. SCHMALSPURBEDARF WWW.SCHMALSPURBEDARF.DE REF. 1020 986 RED WITH YELLOW STRIPE REF. 1020 982 STONKA PRICE: €320…

What with a few artisans, Peco and Bachmann Europe, the Ffestiniog railway is very popular with British manufacturers! It must be said that over 190 years of commercial, then touristic operation, the system saw a very wide range of rolling stock in service. The most recent item to appear on the market is this splendid brake-van which appears in the famous «Spooner Album». Built in 1873, rebuilt and modified several times since that date, the prototype was restored to its original condition in 2024. Fitted to a metal chassis, the panelled body is neatly cast. The very specific curves of the roof are perfectly reproduced. The decoration, featuring plenty of lining, is faultless. And the markings are to the same standard. The only negative point is the price. With such…

This fimr has released an animated garage in its Le Décor Vivant range. A mechanic pushes a 2CV van, an attendant fills a car with petrol, and in the workshop, a welder mends a vehicle. Naturally, the buildings are lit and the printed facades are already decorated. The kit consists of 3mm thick card, onto which thin card facings are glued. The various animations are driven by motors concealed under the base, together with the electronic boards that control them. The moving figures, 3D printed, are supplied assembled, the arms of the attendant are mobile, and so are the legs of the mechanic pushing the Citroën (the vehicles are not supplied). RÉGIONS & COMPAGNIES REF. QUA A33 PRICE: €189…

Arnoud Bongaards is a Dutch enthusiast, well known in the world of 60cm gauge preservation and for his collection of documents relating to this gauge. He has decided to share them with the public in a a slightly unusual way. His approach consists in selling models in 1/10th scale built out of 2 and 3mm thick laser-cut plywood. I assembled the reproduction of an Orenstein & Koppel tipper skip. Supplied in a pleasingly illustrated cardboard box, the kit consists of seven very neatly cut sheets. It comes with generously illustrated instructions. The tooling required for assembly is restricted: a scalpel, a sheet of medium grain abrasive paper and wood glue. All the parts are identified by a number and a letter, which reduces the risk of mistakes during assembly. All…

Following on from the Real Colors Markers, the AK Interactive brand has released a new range of ready-to-use acrylic paint: the Playmarkers. Unlike the Real Colors, whose tip was very much like that of a felt-tip, the Playmarkers take the form of a paintbrush. They are very simple to use: after having shaken the marker somewhat, remove the cap, press the button to load the tip with paint, and get to work. The markers come in an elegant box, and the color chart features 34 coulours (of which are metallic). Don’t get taken in by the names of the shades, this product mainly targets figure painters, but the colours are perfectly suitable for railway modelling. This set is ideal for painting small surfaces and touchin up paint without having to…