23.08.10
Part One - Sweden
The Director General took a one-week holiday to Sweden in August, part of which was to take an up-to-date look at the Swedish railways. The Wednesday seemed an ideal opportunity to go to Avesta Krylbo, a busy railway junction on the Uppsala to Borlänge route; shewn in one of the "Svenska Tåg" programs as such. There was hope of seeing an Ma-loco, but that didn't happen. Instead, Rc-series locos of both Swedish and ex-Austrian (class 1043) types were to be seen; a HectorRail 161 (Adrian got a video of this, but the rain was too heavy to then get a photo of it while it waited), Banverket Rc-loco with an interesting cargo (see photos), a RailCare Vossloh diesel, and so on. Well worth the effort. Later in the evening, a visit was made to the Djurgårdslinjen depot near Skansen, to look at the extended shed with two extra tracks, and the new trams that are taking over bus route 47 (a sensible move as the buses never have enough room for all the pushchairs and other goods that accompany families going to the many attractions along that route)! Also, during the trip, a visit was made to MJ-Hobbyexperten, but read more about that in Part Two!

 
 
 
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Top Left - X40 3712 bound for Falun, at Avesta Krylbo.
Top Right - Rc2 007 and Rc4 1170 at Avesta Krylbo; the Rc2 is an ex-Austrian ÖBB class 1043, in TGOJ livery but with their logo removed and now in use by TÅGAB!
Middle Left - A Vossloh diesel loco in RailCare livery - no models yet!
Middle Right - ELL 0002R with InfraNord markings in Banverket's distinctive livery.
Bottom Left - An interesting cargo.
Bottom Right - One of the trams on test for the replacement bus route 47 service!
[Photos: A. Allum]

Part Two - the FLMJ
On the Sunday after returning from Sweden, the FLMJ was brought into use, partly to run the new models, and partly to do some work on the layout ahead of the forthcoming Open Weekend! There had been no new locomotives purchased in Sweden, but three new NMJ coaches, SJ types AB3, B1 and B5L (all in plain brown with the white "Meat-Stamp" logo) were run-in, along with an NSB type AB11 for our "International set" and one goods wagon, a Lima flat wagon marked for the NSB as type 'Rs,' but carrying containers with the "Kalix" town shewn in the livery; Kalix is near the Finnish border, up on the north coast of the Baltic. The Du-loco also came out with a train as it is also quite new. Point 104 at Månstorp was connected to a motor and wired up. It works very well, which is actually a relief because we are experimenting with Peco's product PL-11 here, instead of the tried PL-10. The layout will have an assortment of both types as we go around installing them!

 
 
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Top Left - Da 823 with the three new SJ coaches, seen at Lövhöjden, with the NSB train in the far background.
Top Right - The NSB AB11 at Lövhöjden; El.16 2212 runs round.
Bottom Left - The Rs wagon with 'Kalix' containers is directly behind the loco.
Bottom Right - The motor for point Mtp-104 in place.
[Photos: A. Allum]

02.08.10 With Lövhöjden back in working order, the FLMJ saw a train service at the beginning of August. For about an hour, though, the problematic Siljansbanan was attended to, and eventually we were able to use this. A 'dry' solder-joint also needed attention at the loco depot, and then a point motor fitted, but not connected up.
The FLMJ provided an assortment of motive power, including the new Du 373 and T21 64, both fitted with standard H0 couplings (the T21 (a Heljan model) because the NEM boxes are in the wrong place and cannot work with close-couplings); and the Hector Rail 241 002 (TRAXX) loco and Green Cargo T44 269, fitted with close couplings. During the day, Re 1423 (another TRAXX loco) was delivered, and after running in, was fitted with a close coupling at one end and it then double-headed with the other TRAXX loco from Lövhöjden to Ålunden. As with the previous ACME model, we will need to build and fit the NEM coupling box for the other end before we can attach a coupling head!
Visiting trains comprised very modern Rc6 locos in Grey and Black liveries (and coaches to match), a T43 / V5 with goods train, Ga steam loco with passenger coaches, and a few other items.

 

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Top Left - Y7 1136 alongside the new station building at Månstorp.
Top Right - Black and Grey Rc-locos with train at Lövhöjden.
Bottom - Re 1423 at Lövhöjden, with an old Da-loco to contrast in the background!
[Photos: A. Allum]

Modern passenger train departing Lövhöjden. [Video: A. Allum]

Green Cargo and Hector Rail joining forces, both TRAXX locos. [Video: A. Allum]

30.07.10 On July 29th, the first train arrived at the rebuilt Lövhöjden station, under its own power. The locomotive selected for this honourable duty was our newest, Du 373, along with a short goods van and four 1940's coaches. A few other trains were also brought into the station, and a few tests were conducted; and now with an operational railway once again, we can relax a little and enjoy it more!

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Du 373 passing Kopparberg on route to Lövhöjden with the first passenger train since the layout was rebuilt. [Photo: A. Allum]

The first passenger train arriving at Lövhöjden. [Video: A. Allum]

12.07.10 Work is progressing at the FLMJ, but not as fast as we would like. The fact is, this wonderfully hot weather that we're having is making it unbearable to work upon the railway! On Sunday 11th July, for example, we started with work on the control panel and track bonding at Lövhöjden, because the sun was on the other side of the home. From midday, both Lövhöjden and Månstorp were out of bounds due to the heat, so we did scenic work at Kopparberg (very enjoyably, as the photos suggest), and it wasn't until the evening, that a little work got done at Månstorp!

 
 
 
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Top Left - Lövhöjden's control panel seen being prepared for the insert with the new switch layout.
Top Right - The step lifted so that track bonding could be completed through the tunnel.
Middle Left - A tractor arrives at the farm at Kopparberg - a nice scenic setting.
Middle Right - The farmhouse in its improved environment; but more will be done here.
Bottom Left - The trees are drilled into the baseboard; spare bases are used as tree stumps!
Bottom Right - Allotment huts looking very drab without surrounding scenery along the front of Månstorp station!
[Photos: A. Allum]

09.05.10 Two members (and for an hour, two friends also) set to completing the work at Lövhöjden on 9th May. After some discussion at the AGM and Members' Day of the Scandinavian Railways Society on the 8th, it was agreed that the layout of the loco shed (with the headshunt) is not at all authentic, so in removing that, we were able to replace the strips of roofing felt with one large sheet. This one sheet was extended through the tunnel and all the way to meet the felt that comes up with the Siljansbanan!
Three new points had arrived during the week, and these were bonded and fitted into place, allowing the tracks alongside platforms 1 and 2 to be laid, as well as the 'neck' that will form the line to Fjällnäs, the junction (and connection) to the Siljansbanan, and the new better-positioned loco shed. In other words, the track has been completed. There was also some moving about with the scenic effects, but the three yellow houses, as well as the two large buildings that were on the former high-level town scene, are now on the main board and blend in very well - just wait for the rest of the scenery to go down!

 
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Left - A much neater (and more authentic) layout at Lövhöjden.
Right - The loco shed, with the main line to the left (and Siljansbanan branching off to the left of that)!
[Photos: A. Allum]

We used two Roco B7 coaches to test the track (with close couplings, we can see how well the gangways move as they go through curves), and a T44 to test platform clearances. During the afternoon, however, we cut from a very thick sheet of plastic, a platform gauge, which will make this job easier in future. For the photo-call at the end of the day, the newly delivered "HectorRail" class 241 loco was stood alongside the shed.

 

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Top Left - HectorRail loco, 241 002-3 alongside the loco shed.
Top Right - The three yellow houses; the road will pass between the middle and right one in this view.
Bottom - The bigger buildings at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]

01.05.10 AJK members have the opportunity to meet on Tuesday evenings, and usually the rolling stock gets serviced then. During April, our sessions were more productive than usual; with the IORE been refurbished so that it no longer relies upon the feeble electrical coupling between units, the Artitec houses being brought much closer to being ready, and three Volvo 164 kits making good progress!

 

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Top Left - IORE 102 (the 'Slave' part of this Roco model, now an 'equal' to the former 'master') on the rolling-road.
Top Right - The Artitec low-relief models are now free-standing with side walls to 'fill-in' any gaps caused by the different profiles.
Bottom - The Volvo 164 kits. We need to find a way to glaze them (they have interiors), and then after painting the 'detail,' there's not much more to do.
[Photos: A. Allum]

11.04.10 On Saturday April 10th (and Sunday 11th as there was nothing better to do), the poorer quality roofing felt through Kopparberg and Lövhöjden was removed and replaced with a better quality product, identical to the type purchased for the Månstorp and surrounding areas. Then, we set to work laying track. We decided to recycle as many old "insulfrog" turnouts as possible, and see how far we got. By the end of the weekend, all of the track was down except through platform tracks 1 and 2, and we need to buy one of each, long radius points, left and right turns. Despite moving the station as near to Kopparberg as possible (and including the use of a curved turnout to assist with this), we didn't quite have enough room to lay out the engine shed as we had wanted, but the compromise does suggest that there had been a turntable years ago, so it'll more than do.

 
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Left - Månstorp point 101 (nearer the tunnel) with the point motor now on the other side.
Right - The nice clean line through Kopparberg. Hopefully the scenery will stick, this time!
[Photos: A. Allum]

Some of the scenic effects were also placed out, and these included the farm at Kopparberg (which is more-or-less where it was), and the (Seglora) Church, which has moved to the other side of the track where there is now more room for it. The station building will be at the "Fjällnäs" end of the platforms, but we cannot fit this precisely until the tracks and then the platforms are in place. The engine shed and head-office building have been moved to the other end of the station also, and they look very nice in their new positions.

 
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Left - The compromised layout of the engine shed, but hey, it looks good!
Right - T44 349 testing the new shed layout for size.
[Photos: A. Allum]

There was a plan to do some work at Månstorp also, but in the end, only point 101 got replaced. The old point had a partially broken tie-bar, but the new one allows us to move the point motor to the other side of the track, giving more room for the roadway to go behind!
It would seem that the next job is the track through platforms 1 and 2 at Lövhöjden; and then we can prepare the electrical installation here. The area to the other side of the step hasn't been covered (with roofing felt) yet, so that is also another job for probably the next club session. There will be just one point in this area, a left hand divergence to the Siljansbanan, and this, also, will use a long radius point. We have used some of the removed roofing felt to cover the platforms and this looks good, so we'll do more of that. We're also thinking of using it as a road surface, so that the gravel effect of the better felt doesn't ruin the visual effect of the roads!

 
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Left - The church has a new location (but is still the right way around)!
Right - Station building, engine shed and railway head office, all seen in their new locations (station building to be finalised)!
[Photos: A. Allum]

06.04.10 Inspired by the FLMJ, one of our members has just started building his own garden railway, albeit in a much larger scale - we'll link to the website when one appears.

 
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Left - The FLMJ's Director General helps out with the baseboard construction.
Right - The first baseboard of the new railway, with track loose-laid on it for testing.
[Photos: D. Hill.]

01.03.10 A number of FLMJ models were taken to the Eastleigh Model Railway Exhibition (Eurotrack) at the end of February to be on static display in support of the Scandinavian Railways Society stand. This year, the available space was not taken up by a DCC layout, and thus the models could be seen. A "progression" of goods diesel locomotives (T21, T44, TMZ) were on one track; the NMJ ABo2 (brown) and AB3 (blue-black) were in front of them; four Roco Hbikks (or similar) wagons were behind a Danish steam loco (but the wagons were two Swedish, one Norwegian and one Finnish), and the Hobby-Trade double wagon was alongside, demonstrating the manufacturer's unfortunate faux-pas with the position of the NEM couplings!
In addition to this, Patrick Grace had his "Småtorp" layout there, and the FLMJ's Sa938 with wooden bodied coaches provided the main passenger train service. Later in the day, our T21 64 was given a run on the layout (still without couplings, so it was light-loco), and it does at least work in that respect!

 
 
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Top Left - Sa 938 with train, having just arrived at Småtorp; our old Y7 railbus is much too modern for this layout!
Top Right - The turntable and shed area on the layout.
Bottom Left - T21 64 at the station.
Bottom Right - Some of the FLMJ's models on static display (among others)!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

Videos - Hosted by YouTube

T21 64 departs Småtorp.
[Video: A. Allum]

13.02.10 Two AJK members set to work, at last, on the rebuilding at Kopparberg and Lövhöjden. Unfortunately, everything didn't go to plan, but we were able to press ahead anyway. The same roofing felt as before couldn't be found, so we bought a different but equally lightweight product. It doesn't colour-match, but it will eventually be covered in scenery, so we're not bothered about that. Unfortunately it tears very easily, and a number of repairs were necessary! In all the confusion with finding a suitable product to use, we didn't get enough, and were unable to finish the job! The continuation will be with the same type that we used at Månstorp; we will allow more time to find somewhere selling it!
During the week leading up to this, some work was carried out on our latest arrival, the T21 diesel from Heljan. This arrived damaged, but we weren't aware of the extent of the damage initially, and it is really too late (politely) to send it back now! (We have heard from friends modelling British 00-gauge, that Heljan's models do usually arrive damaged, and their reputation is not good. They generate sales by producing (mostly) models that other manufacturers haven't bothered with!) Two steps have been glued back on, as well as two of the cylindrical tanks, but the three handrails are still to be done. We haven't yet worked out how to remove the 'scale' coupling so that we can fit a proper coupling. A pricey disappointment!

 

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Top Left - Lövhöjden being dismantled and baseboards completely cleared.
Top Right - And this time with its new covering (mostly) and stored track.
Bottom - T21 64 laying on its side whilst the glue dries - more repairs to this loco are necessary.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

09.01.10 For January's work session, the FLMJ was under a scale depth of 46' of snow, and the temperature was well below freezing! So, we didn't start the work at Kopparberg or Lövhöjden, but we did try running trains instead! We have run trains in the snow before, but it was just too cold to stop the ice from forming wherever we cleared the snow! The locos had already been taken in to thaw by the time the photos were taken!

 
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Left - Lövhöjden in the snow, with a single track cleared for through trains.
Right - Månstorp in the snow, with two tracks cleared.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

12.12.09 With poor weather preventing a start on the rebuilding of the railway at the Kopparberg and Lövhöjden areas in November, we decided that rather than start just before Yule, we'd run a few trains during our December club session. It was the first chance to run in the NMJ 'Os' and 'Kbps' wagons (and they're much too light to stay on the track), and also one of our Rc4 locos came back into service. Visiting Rc5 1351 was performing rather poorly and we found that it was picking up power from one bogie only (not usual for a Roco model). After an investigation and soldered alteration, it now works properly. A "Jultomten" special train was run towards the end of the day, headed by the K24 steam loco.
Hopefully January's weather will be conducive to the planned rebuilding work!

 

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Top Left - Rc4 1277 with a train of 'Om,' 'Os' and 'Kbps' goods wagons at Lövhöjden.
Top Right - Also at Lövhöjden, Rc5 1351 with a passenger train.
Bottom - Flash photography was necessary for the special train, seen approaching Månstorp.
Photos: A. Allum - with a new camera, in need of different techniques!]

14.11.09 The FLMJ had a work party on November 14th, but the rain and strong winds put an end to the plans to start the heavy work at Lövhöjden and Kopparberg! Instead, we worked indoors on motive power and rolling stock. V5 152 received its main overhaul, and this included swapping over some wheels so that the traction tyre is on the centre axle. The regularly visiting Green Cargo Rc2 1072 was fitted with Entec mirrors, wipers and windscreen surrounds, greatly improving its appearance. Visiting Trix T44 376 was looked at with a view to renumbering it, but we need some orange paint in the matching shade before we can do this work! Two UGJ coaches, the A5 and B8 were serviced and passed for operation, though the B8 is still missing its decals on one side - we have no idea how these went missing! A Lima WL2 was also looked at, but this needs one buffer replaced before this can re-enter service. One wagon was also serviced, one of the Eaos wagons that had been out of service for many years following a derailment in which it lost its coupling springs. Replacement springs have now been found, and the wagon is at last, back in service.

 
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Left - Rc2 1072 is seen with its new windscreen surrounds, wipers and mirrors; the mirrors will need painting. V5 152 is in the background on the running-in test-bed.
Right - Eaos 31 74 540 0 049-6 is seen standing on track after being returned to service.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

13.10.09 The FLMJ's Director General, Adrian Allum took a short holiday in Stockholm at the end of September, during the week when the weather turned; +15°C upon arrival and -1°C upon departure! At the end of the holiday, the FLMJ benefitted with six new wagons from NMJ (purchased of course at MJ-Hobbyexperten), but none of the desired locos were actually in production yet! Some useful notes and observations were made, however.
Heljan's F-lok steam loco was desired for the FLMJ, but the price was prohibitive. Thankfully we were not tempted to just "go for it," as the loco is reported to be unstable (keeps coming off the track) and is a generally poor runner! Another disappointment was with the overpriced På-Sporet B6 coaches; they look nice from a distance, but it was disappointing to see that they are held together in ancient Triang fashion with a large ceiling-to-floor bolt. (Of the six wagons that we did buy, four have incorrect 'check' digits, even!)
A tour of most model shops was made, and there is no real change to report. Harambee Hobby used to have a good selection of road vehicles, but this is no longer the case; H0-scale modelling there is limited to Märklin trains and a few building kits. Wentzels' selection would fit into a suitcase, and Adrian was unsuccessful finding the new location for Eskader. MJ-Specialisten in Solna was visited, but they were renovating the premises, so there was very little there, but a return visit will be made during a later visit. As already mentioned, MJ-Hobbyexperten was visited, and some money spent! This is the main outlet for Jeco models, and by being located on an industrial estate instead of a retail park, they can afford to have a bigger shop with more stock!
New X60 trains provide most of the suburban services (pendeltåg) between Märsta and Södertälje, and between Bålsta and Nynäshamn, but a handful of X10 units remain in service also. Due to the high failure rate of the doors on the X60s, there remains a number of X1 units in service also! (Oddly, it was an old train on the Saltsjöbanan that had this sticky door problem whilst Adrian was onboard!) With so many liveries, SJ's trains were quite multicoloured, and one was seen on the last day with almost every current SJ livery in its formation - at least 6 liveries (original and revised blue, inter-regio, original and recently-revised black, IC-11 blue - only the grey was missing)! At least one black Rc6 was seen sporting a UIC number - really necessary?
There was plenty of evidence of the Citybanan being constructed. Track alongside Tomteboda has been slewed to one side; part of the T-bana blue-line was closed due to the work, and near Riddarholmen, there was plenty of construction work going on. Revamping around Stockholm Östra station meant that Roslagsbanan trains were starting and terminating at Mörby, and a trip out to Kårsta was along a section that made London's Metropolitan line seem smooth by comparison! During the trip, approval for the extension of the Tvärbanan from Alvik to Solna was reported on in the newspapers, so that is something to look forward to - then we will just need a section from Solna to Sickla Udde to complete the circuit! Just after the trip, the Djurgårdslinjen route south of Skansen was closed so that the route can be improved, including moving the tracks farther apart so that trams can pass each other along that section!

 
 
 
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Top Left - A tram at Alvik, presently the terminus, but not for much longer!
Top Right - Buses at Sollentuna have a new timetable - that does not connect with the trains.
Middle Left - Djurgårdslinjen's service car, an old Volvo P210 has now been retired!
Middle Right - Even the old trams will be subject to changes soon.
Bottom Left - X60 just south of Centralstation.
Bottom Right - Who would believe that the temperature was almost down to 0°C?
[Photos: A. Allum.]

21.09.09 The FLMJ had its Autumn Open Day on September 19th, a busy one with unexpectedly good weather! The previous day had seen some work done on the layout (including the relocating of the block controls at Månstorp onto the new control panel) and we were confident of a reliable layout! Apart from some point motor switch failures at Lövhöjden, all did go very well. As the point motors were changed, some of the detector switches went beyond the rest position breaking the contact, and with Electrofrog points, this resulted in dead 'V' sections. But that really only applied to two motors; and one other failed completely, but was unsuccessful in bringing the railway to a stand!
The FLMJ provided a short InterRegio train, the railbus, and a goods train. The guests provided the rest, including a Roco Dm3 loco with scale-length train (well, at 56 wagons, it was too long), but this could not manage the up-gradient on the Siljansbanan, so the train was reduced to 24 wagons; this determined by the length of the loops! A second Dm3 came out also, an intriguing loco, DC-analogue with sound. When the power was turned up, we had to wait 10 seconds before it would move. And then it would cut out for no apparent reason before starting the 10-second cycle again! This problem has occurred with other similar models, so "DC-analogue with sound" models are now banned from the layout (in addition to all DCC models - regardless of the false claim that they are compatible on DC-analogue)!

 
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Left - First two trains of the day; the railbus for the Siljansbanan shuttle, and the InterRegio train with a couple of NSB sleeper coaches and a spare loco to be detached at Lövhöjden!
Right - Dm3 with shortened iron ore train passing through Siljansnäs.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

As a side show, we had a Volvo Owners' Club car rally in the field at Kopparberg, and this was prompted by the arrival of Brekina's model of the 140 series, and in particular, three 145 estates here (the 144 saloons are still awaited - it seems that Brekina's awkward attitude to British importers hasn't changed)! We were even able to make up a suitable sign, having trawled the internet for Swedish-based VOCs!
We had 11 guests, which is a good figure, three of whom were children (all girls), who appreciated the 'hands on' policy, as they all got a chance to drive some of the trains.
From now, the entire Lövhöjden and Kopparberg areas are to be pulled up and rebuilt. This work will include the laying of fine roofing felt (because scenic materials do not stick to the polycarbonate sheets) and providing a new track layout at Lövhöjden (loosely based on the layout at Ätran, but heavily modified). We are allowing a year for this work, but if we get ahead, then we might have a July Open Day! Stay tuned.

 
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Left - The FLMJ's Ub-loco came out for a while to work a short goods train.
Right - About half of the Volvo rally at Kopparberg!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

Videos - Hosted by YouTube

The iron ore train headed by a Dm3, seen departing Lövhöjden.

Former FLMJ maintenance vehicle visiting - and in a hurry!
[All Videos: A. Allum]

On Sunday September 20th, friends of the FLMJ were invited to the new premises of the Western Model Railway Society. Construction of a new permanent layout has not yet started, but the Grunfurter Strasse layout was up and working (as well as an N-scale layout), and that was where two FLMJ trains were put into service.
We took two long goods trains, with the Hector Rail 142 and DSB EG locos for traction. Although both locos struggled with a steep and tightly curved incline, the Heljan model (the EG) had the edge, but the Roco model was less likely to run away on the downhill section! DB trains (one with SNCB coaches) were also in service, as well as a RENFE suburban train and a BR (H0-scale) train.

 
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Left - EG 3112 at Grunfurter Strasse.
Right - 142 002-5 along the high-level section.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

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Two FLMJ trains passing at Grunfurter Strasse.

15.08.09 On August 15th, the FLMJ had its annual one-day invasion of British 00-scale models! The theme was mostly LMS, but a BR(W) loco needed running in, and a few others were running also. Two H0-scale models also ran; a BR "Warship" with train (as made until recently by Fleischmann) and a newly bought Trix SJ T44 for running in.

 
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Left - Jeco T44 on the left, Trix on the right.
Right - Prototype Deltic at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

The Trix T44 is much slower than the Jeco one and the detail is not as fine. The cab end windows just don't look right, either! Further, with "DCC onboard," the lights don't shew very well on analogue systems. But it does have a cab interior. The "local collection" provided a BR(W) 93XX loco for running in, but this jerks from side to side quite badly, so it will need working on; and a BR(M) "Jubilee" gave erratic performance to start with, but it did get better as the day progressed. A visiting brake van needed regauging so that it would go through the points (a common problem with Hornby products), and a Hornby "Princess" loco that has been back to factory twice before it could run still needed further attention, but we were able to do this in our own workshops, and now it runs very well. A freelance 0-4-0T loco in BR black livery was so light that we found enough space to add 14gm of lead weight and its performance improved considerably.
Minor track issues occurred during the day. A sliding expansion joint at Månstorp had got distorted, so it was replaced. Re-laid track along the Siljansbanan was out of alignment, causing occasional derailments, so this was re-laid, and point 102 at Lövhöjden was also adjusted for the same reason!

 

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Top Left - H0-scale British outline model, a Fleischmann "Warship" at Lövhöjden.
Top Right - A BR(M) Jubilee (right) alongside a LMS "Princess" and "Patriot."
Bottom - Parcels Delivery at the loco shed.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

Videos - Hosted by YouTube

Prototype 'Deltic' between Månstorp and Lövhöjden.

LMS 'Princess' and 'Patriot' class locos double-head a train through Månstorp.
[All Videos: A. Allum]

09.08.09 On August 8th, the FLMJ was open for traffic, but not strictly as a guest event, though we did invite some neighbours in. Rc6 1353 provided a reliable service through the day, but it is clear that all the lamps need looking at because they're not working in either direction! It started with an InterCity train, but by the afternoon, this had changed to InterRegio. Ub 717 was on hand for shunting, but TMX 1014 worked a goods train that featured a new wagon that arrived last weekend! The Y7 1136 also saw some service as did the steam loco Sa 938 with its regular 2-axle coaches. Later in the day, TMZ 1410 brought out the iron-ore train (IORE 101+102 will be repaired as part of its major overhaul next year) and TMY 101 came out to act as a relief loco, stabled at Lövhöjden shed. The TMX joined it and for a while the HectorRail 142 002.5 loco took over the goods train, but performance was not satisfactory, so the Danish EG 3112 took that over instead.

 
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Left - Rc6 1353 with an InterCity train at Lövhöjden; note that there is still a Lima A2 in service (behind the loco).
Right - Both of Danish origin, the EG-loco is in charge of a general goods train, whilst the Kadee-fitted TMZ is in charge of the Ore train.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

A pause in traffic was made so that we could finish rewiring up the Siljansbanan (as part of the previous work at Månstorp), and towards the end of the day, this line was brought back into service; and we shall make good use of it during the September Open Day, especially as that day will be the last with Lövhöjden in its present guise. A diagram of the new track layout was on display near the station, also.
It was refreshing to know that railway modelling in the UK is beginning to appeal to more and more girls; our two young female guests enjoyed themselves very much. Britain seems to be way behind the rest of the world in accepting that girls can be just as interested in trains as boys, and it was a pleasure to be able to share the enjoyment of the FLMJ with them in this way.

 

Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - Two young guests, one at the controls easing Y7 1136 out of Lövhöjden station.
Top Right - Ub 717 with a very short passenger train (probably a staff train), seen at Månstorp.
Bottom - Sa 938 with its train, alongside Y7 1136 at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

Video - Hosted by YouTube

Y7 1136 arrives at Månstorp along the newly-reopened Siljansbanan. [Video: A. Allum]

11.07.09 The FLMJ was open to invited guests on July 11th, and the Director General took a day off work on the 10th to get things ready. So, let's look at the preparation first, especially as there is something rather bizarre to report!

The main job for the day was to connect up the switches on the control panel at Månstorp, so that all of the track sections could be switched on or off - connection to a remote controller will be later! This was a fairly straight-forward procedure, and the weather was conducive to this sort of work (warm, dry, but not too hot)!
Then it made sense to test the tracks and isolations with a locomotive. T44 269 was selected. It got off to a good start, but derailed over point 106 (the one nearest Ålunden). A check was made to ensure that the point blades were closing properly, which they were, but again the loco came off. An assortment of adjustments was made, but again the loco would not stay on the track. In order to make sure that this was not a fault with the locomotive, a carriage was brought out, so that it could be rolled over the point and observed (the point is too far away from the controller to observe a powered loco closely). And it came off - the wheels simply rode up over the rails - on both sides! And here's the bizarre thing; the point had regauged itself to 15mm - all of the sleepers appear to have shrunk (Peco SL-98 long-radius 'Y' point)! The immediate remedy was to bend the rails outways, but this compromised the strength and reliability of the point, so a new one was purchased for installation on the Saturday morning!

So, Saturday arrived with rain. By 8:am, it had stopped raining and we were reasonably confident of running the railway. Nevertheless, we got off to a bad start with the discovery that the wrong point had been ordered for Månstorp number 106 (SL-97 short radius), and having lifted out the old (15mm gauge) point with it falling apart as we did so, the adrenaline started to rush! One of our team agreed to pick up the correct component on his way in, but then got stuck in traffic, so we temporarily fitted an old "electrofrog" version!
There had been a plan for a big special train to 'open' Månstorp station, but with the reconnection of the block controls taking a lot longer than planned, the 12:30 opening took place at 13:00, and then had to wait for another half-hour while track repairs took place in Månstorp tunnel under the step to the front door! Then, just as we really got it all running, it started to rain again!
For the rest of the day, the rain kept coming and going, but for most of the time, we were able to keep the railway running. The FLMJ provided a goods train headed by T44 269, and three other locos were on standby, Rc6 1353, Ub 717 and V5 176. The V5 failed completely, so a thorough service will be necessary! Also, Rc5 1344 brought a short train out, apparently carrying the dignitaries for the opening of Månstorp station! One of the regular team provided at least three modern passenger trains, and another a goods train. The two new control panels worked very well, and the new method of working them has been given the 'thumbs-up' by all who have used them.

 
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - Rc5 1344 at Månstorp's temporary platform with the official train for the opening of Månstorp station.
Right - Tågkompaniet made an appearance with this Rc6 and train; note the observation carriage.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

The decision has been taken to not start rebuilding any more of the railway until after the September Open Day. Before then, we will continue with the work at Månstorp and Siljansnäs, and the control panels there and at Ålunden. The new junction at Ålunden also needs some attention, it seems! After September, then we hope to start work on Lövhöjden, rebuilding it to the new proposed layout. To be absolutely sure of a reliable open day, we're thinking that we won't hold one in July, but just to do the September one - or at a similar date. Obviously, that will depend on the progress made, and will be decided much later.

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Rc7 1420 with an InterRegio train at Månstorp. [Photo: A. Allum.]

15.06.09 AJK's weekend in June was for 1½ days; Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday. Officially, this is the last weekend before the Open Day on July 11th, but weekday evening work will be essential if the railway can open then. Invitations are being delayed for this reason!
We spent the Saturday on three main jobs. Whilst the sun was too hot to get into hard work at Månstorp, we set to work at Lövhöjden and Ålunden. A few rail joins needed bonding, but all was tested and with the exception of the point to siding LC at Lövhöjden, all is OK. This point motor will not be repaired because other areas are more important right now, and soon it will all be pulled up in line with the general overhaul of the railway! It might be used for static display in July. As the sun worked its way around the home, we were able to work at Månstorp. All of the wiring was pulled up because we would be asking for trouble if we didn't have a fresh start with it - there were indeed many joins and terminal blocks in each loom, and we wish to reduce our maintenance quota!
On the Sunday, new cable runs were laid at Månstorp and by the end of the day, all of the tracks were connected up to the terminals inside the control panel, as were the leads from the train controller. Whilst this work was going on, the point motors at Ålunden were connected up, but not completed, partly due to running out of the appropriate cable. There is also an issue here with the terminations in that they need to be changed as we will not now be needing so many at Ålunden. Cabling from the former down line block controls was also recovered, and some of this has been fitted up to be used with point detectors, but at a later date. The one 'urgent' point detector was partially connected, but this will be continued during the week!

 
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - Månstorp's control panel has been fitted into a hole left by the removal of the old one!
Right - T44 269 came to grief over a point, having struck a lump of loosened ballast.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

Video - Hosted by YouTube

First train out with the new control panel (at Ålunden), and even a new train controller mounted onto the panel. [Video: A. Allum]

01.06.09 On Sunday May 31st, the Ålunden control panel was swapped over; not the easy task as we had hoped for! All of the track switches had been tapped into the plastic and so needed unscrewing, but this was not possible due to the wiring that went from switch to switch, and we did not want to have to un-solder and re-solder! We were able to turn the switches by 360°, which by turning into the plastic, opened up the thread enough to wriggle the switches out, though one did get damaged and had to be replaced.
Once this was done, the block controls (for only one line) were moved across also; the obsolete line's controls pending disconnection, and then the buzzer - all now on the main control panel. The decision was made that a panel controller will be fitted here, but none of the ones in stock were any good, so a new one will be purchased. It is hoped that at the next club session, this will be fitted into place along with the optional track cleaner and two relays, one for working with the track cleaner controls, and the other for working with the master 'in'-'out' switch.
With a CD providing background music and only half-way through, a smaller job was looked for and this turned out to be the old Triang power transformer that had stopped working ages ago. It was found that the mains lead was damaged, and the damaged part was cut away and all else repaired and working satisfactorily. Once a stock of 3-core mains cable has been replenished, we will replace the old lead completely, for safety's sake.

 

Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The new control panel in place, but still a lot of connections are needed.
Top Right - At least the block controls are working.
Bottom - And this transformer is back in use, but will probably be loaned to the Acton Miniature Railway, where the FLMJ's Director General is the General Manager!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

10.05.09 Having re-laid the track through Månstorp, a small work-party turned the attention to the control panel and wiring. With all wires removed, the front was cut out so that a replacement panel could be mounted behind. Many of the switches were fitted, but the new control panel has more functions than the old, so this work was not completed. A new panel was also made up for Ålunden. Unfortunately, a blossoming bush over the garden fence gave the Director General a bad time for Hay-fever, so his input was severely restricted!

 
Click thumbnails for large images
Top - The 'old' control box with the switch and diagram area cut out, ready to receive a new 'insert' with the new layout!
Bottom Left - This is the new panel for Månstorp. Track and point switches have been fitted, but all the others will be done later.
Bottom Right - This is the new panel for Ålunden. The track switch layout is the same as the old one so that we don't have to rewire it all!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

13.04.09 The dedicated work-day for the FLMJ in April was a bit of a washout, and it was pointless trying to do the desired work, further tweaking at Månstorp! So, instead, many locos, carriages and wagons were given their annual service (some of them quite overdue), and even the "CombiTrans" wagon (a repainted Roco product) was brought back into serviceable condition. It appears that the paint used for its new livery (professionally done in Sweden) has reacted with the plastic, and it is quite brittle; but we will put the wagon through its paces this year and see how it gets on!
Five wagons were sold to a club member (five that never really got used) but five new Hobby Trade wagons arrived from Sweden, two 'Ibcos' insulated vans and three 'Om' flat wagons. There is one minor problem with one of the vans (a foot-step is missing from one of them - hardly worth returning), and one bigger problem with both of the vans (the NEM coupling boxes are too far in, so with close couplings inserted, they don't reach)! But overall we are very pleased with them.
The sunshine finally broke through on Easter Monday, so no time was wasted at Månstorp. Track 1 was realigned so that the 'S' curve at the down end could be straightened out, and then the other tracks realigned to match. Track 3 was reduced to a shorter length away from the down end, and the point moved accordingly. Although this now gives us only two long tracks through the station (and a short loop), it has removed the 'S' bends from tracks 2 & 3, made the whole area look less cramped ... and is more authentically based on Läggesta as it was in 1935 (see "FLMJ-Nytt" edition 3/08). Point motors were also fitted, but not connected electrically. These are all 'above baseboard' and will have suitable buildings placed over them - including the one between tracks 1 & 2 (a relay room would be nice, there)!

 
 
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The CombiTrans wagon with a long bolt now holding one of the pony trucks in place.
Top Right - A point motor in place. Note the orange 'bonding' wires; these will be hidden by ballast, eventually.
Bottom Left - T44 349 bringing a short goods train into track 3 at Månstorp.
Bottom Right - Da 936 departing Månstorp with a local train.
[Photos: A. Allum. (Note that the electrics are not yet in, so these photos were 'posed!')]

15.03.09 The FLMJ had a busy weekend in the middle of March, which started on the evening of Friday 13th. Da 936 and TMZ 1410 were taken to the Western Model Railway Society for the occasion of their 73rd anniversary and the dedication of the new building. There is no permanent layout there presently, but Grunfurter Strasse (a German layout) has been set up, and this is where the trains operated; Da 936 with the new NMJ 1960s coaches and TMZ 1410 with the Iron Ore train. This latter loco is dedicated to this train (and has NEM-mounted Kadee couplings) until the IORE loco has returned to service following repair and modifications. TGOJ traditionally worked Iron Ore trains from Grängesberg to Oxelösund, but not with this loco or these wagons; but in order that this train can run in service, we've used a bit of "Modellers' Licence!"

 
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Left - TMZ 1410 with Iron Ore train at Grunfurter Strasse.
Right - Da 936 with passenger train at Grunfurter Strasse.
[Photos: A. Allum]

Videos - Hosted by YouTube

TMZ 1410 and Iron Ore train

Da 936 with 1960s passenger train
[All Videos: A. Allum]

On Saturday 14th, a number of models were taken to a model railway exhibition to operate on the rebuilt Ekenäs layout. The layout is very small, so again, some compromise was made with authenticity; T44 349 with a solitary ABo2 carriage being one such example. However, Y7 1136 was at home here, and T43 233 worked a few short goods trains. Sa 938 also did a few goods workings in addition to its more regular 2-axle coaches, but only two of them!

 
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Left - T44 349 and T43 233 with trains at Ekenäs.
Right - Y7 1136 and Sa 938 at Ekenäs.
[Photos: A. Allum]

Videos - Hosted by YouTube

T44 349 with through carriage.

Y7 1136 departs Ekenäs.
[All Videos: A. Allum]

Then on Sunday 15th, a small team set to work upon the FLMJ. As the laying of roofing felt continued, it made sense to continue into Siljansnäs (and beyond); and as luck would have it, we had in stock the necessary points for the new layout there, so Siljansnäs was re-laid to its new layout also (originally proposed for October)! Whilst this was going on, the track at Månstorp was completed along with the connections to Ålunden and to Siljansnäs. This latter route included easing the curve under the main line, and it is not so tight now. Some modifications were also made in the tunnel section near Ålunden due to the appearance of a kink at a rail-joint. Månstorp's buildings were also put out and had locating blocks provided so that they can always go in the correct place. The (Heljan) cinema will not be a part of this scene anymore, and the road is now on the other side of the railway. The vacant area on the old road side will become allotments!

Click thumbnail for large image
TMX 1014 at Månstorp with a test train - note new positions of buildings!
[Photo: A. Allum]

15.02.09 Three FLMJ Friends worked upon the railway on February 14th; the task being to rebuild Månstorp. The site was cleared completely, then lightweight roofing-felt was put down (something that we had successfully used with the old wooden baseboards), and then some track was laid. The job was far from finished, but it is inspiring and a lot tidier than before. The morning was interrupted with a trip out to the local line-side to see "Tornado" steam through; a celebrity loco if ever there was one!

 
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - An evening photo shewing the new alignment at the Up end of the station. The short track off to the left is a siding and there will be only the one track going through the tunnel under the step, now. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - 'Tornado' passes through Southwood (near Farnborough) at speed. This loco is brand new, having been built from scratch over the last 20 years. [Photo: D. Hill]

17.01.09 Friends of the FLMJ (formerly AJK members) made very good progress on January 17th with the rebuilding at Ålunden. All of the necessary trackwork has been done, all point motors fitted, and some baseboard modifications have been made also. The tracks were connected to the control panel; and the only significant job that didn't get done was wiring up the point motors; but we need to build the new control panel for them, first. Testing was done with the Ub-717, but Rc 1010 was brought out later with a couple of coaches.

 

Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The new alignment featuring a double-slip and a three-way point.
Top Right - Just inside the tunnel, there is now a point.
Bottom - Rc 1010 with a short train approaching Ålunden.
[Photos: A. Allum]

02.01.09 - We start the new year with a letter from the Director General:

Dear Friends of the FLMJ,

2008 was one of the worst years in FLMJ history, due in the main to my prolonged unemployment, which finally came to an end in July. Taking a low-paid job has meant that investment in the railway has been negligible since. This was also the year when some of the club members moved away to college courses or into work, and there has really been only two members who have tried to keep the railway running. This, I expect to continue for the foreseeable future, so the rebuilding of the railway is expected to take longer than the 18 months originally proposed!

The woes of 2008 were also evident in the delays to the publication of the journals, especially FLMJ-Nytt. This has been partly due to a lack of news to be published. Nevertheless, the various editions have been prepared, and I am hopeful of getting them shipped as a block in early January. Subscriptions for FLMJ-Nytt in 2009 have been waived in view of the delays.

The purchase of new models that are so suitable for the railway is being made possible with the sale of models that the FLMJ simply does not use any more. (And of course, the economic downturn is affecting this course of action!) There is also a trend to put the clock back to the late 1980s, to the end of Epoch-IV, and brown and orange liveries are becoming more apparent. The FLMJ remains committed to representing the railways of Sweden as they are today; but with the absence of r-t-r models of X2, X40, X60, Regina and Itino trains, we would have to virtually give up a regular passenger service!

Nevertheless, with suitable inspiration, I hope to rekindle FLMJ activities very soon, and get to work with the big overhaul that the railway desperately needs. Also, in collaboration with the Webmaster, I am intending to make a few changes to the website, to present more than just the FLMJ as a railway ... you'll see what I mean, later!

Thank you for your interest in the FLMJ; I hope that you share my enthusiasm for the new look railway that is about to emerge.

Adrian Allum
Director General
Ålunden, January 1st 2009.

Archived News (2002-2008)