Latest News
23.01.12 Five locomotives, thirteen coaches and seventeen wagons were taken to Strömstad for a Model Railway Exhibition at Harpenden (near St. Albans) on January 21st. Patrick Grace took his own models, of course, but halfway through the day, they gave way to the FLMJ's models (though not all of the wagons were used)! Here's how it all worked:
Unfortunately, loco F 701 came to grief over a set of points, and with the momentum, one of the snow ploughs got broken off! (Patrick retro-fitted the appropriate coupling to his new Da 821, and that took over this train.) Passenger coach AB4 3502 lost its coupling at one end, due to UGJ's rather compromised "NEM" coupling box, and the train was knocked down to just the one remaining coach for the rest of the afternoon! Also, one of the Os goods wagons suffered damage to two stakes, but as with the other models, these are not beyond repair.
On the whole, the layout was quite reliable, but a recurring short-circuit kept appearing, and we finally got rid of it by plugging in a different controller! Unfortunately, the replacement controller had been withdrawn from regular use on this layout, and it too, was not in the 'best of health!' But, we managed. The other operational problem was an operator forgetting to reset one set of points, and bringing the express passenger train through a goods loop and almost into a buffer-stop instead of alongside the platform!
Whilst at the event, two low-relief buildings were purchased for probable use at Månstorp (as Artitec kits are so hard to get), but they will need taking apart and rebuilding to make them presentable. One just fell apart on the way home; nothing like a good head-start!
Click thumbnails for large image
Top Left - Da 940 with the 'day' coach and in the background the sleeper coach. On an adjacent track, Ub 717 awaits its next turn of duty. [Photo: P. Grace]
Top Right - Da 821 (with Norrland plough) awaits departure from Strömstad with an Express train. [Photo: P. Grace.]
Bottom - F 701 looking rather sorry with a plough missing! Behind it can be seen the two low-relief buildings - still with price labels on! [Photo: A. Allum.]
14.01.12
Two AJK members set to work upon the FLMJ in January, despite the heavy frost that greeted us at the start of the day! The first job was to repair three disconnection boxes where their wooden posts had rotted. One was actually removed and deemed surplus, the CDU that was inside it is now inside the Månstorp control panel! One of the others was the 240v mains unit, so although it was not opened in the process, the power was cut from the house. Taking advantage of that, the external socket at Ålunden was replaced with a more robust version!
We found inside Ålunden that the ceiling was drooping, and where this had compromised the insulating effect of the materials used, it was sodden with condensation! The long term solution is to replace the metal building with a plastic one (around £800), but we may have to make a temporary repair until the funds are available.
We did run a few trains (and serviced a few that didn't perform too well), but a few other jobs were done also, such as fitting the locating-blocks for the two Heljan Maisonettes, assembling and painting the "sound hooter" warning board, and assembling the engineers' telephone kiosk that was purchased in Sweden.
By mid-afternoon, the temperature had dropped to -3°C, so we didn't hang around, putting everything away!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - A new post for the Lövhöjden 'up' disconnection box.
Top Right - The Månstorp CDU is inside the control panel now (bottom right).
Bottom Left - The Heljan Maisonettes in place at Lövhöjden.
Bottom Right - The FLMJ's new Y7 1201 is flanked by a member's Rc5 1351 and T43 224.
[Photos: A. Allum]
11.12.11
The FLMJ braved the weather forecast and a light train service was provided until some guests arrived; then the weather turned! Our new Y7 1201 was tested, and a Green Cargo train was run to show-off the new tank wagon to good effect. A member ran a train with some newly-delivered NMJ coaches (and he has sold his Lima ones), and various other models were given a turn on the layout. Later, but before the rain, our Y7 1136, coupled to YBo6 5 made a trip from Ålunden to Lövhöjden to test the couplings, but the fact that UBoy 11 was originally in the train also, but suffered broken couplings, indicates that our experiments with couplings for these Jeco models are far from concluded!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The Green Cargo train dominates the scene; the tank wagon is new and is a rather limited edition. New Y7 1201 is in a nearer track.
Top Right - The two railbuses coupled together, but the coupling used isn't reliable enough!
Bottom - A member's steam locomotive with five new coaches, at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
A very unlikely train GSJ and SJ railbuses coupled??? [Video: A. Allum.]
10.12.11
The FLMJ's Director-General visited Sweden in late November/early December. Read his report from the trip here.
In November 2011, the FLMJ was featured as an article in the Swedish railway modelling magazine, "Modelljärnvägsmagasinet." It was written in English by Adrian, but translated into Swedish by the editor. It has been translated back into English - in the setting of the magazine's layout, and here it is for your perusal. Some of the other pages from that edition have been included (also translated where possible) so that you can appreciate the quality of this magazine. Click to read the article (Adobe PDF).
22.11.11
FLMJ models and AJK members were present at the Warley Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC at Birmingham in November, operating upon Patrick Grace's "Småtorp" layout. The Sa-loco with its three 2-axle coaches provided a regular passenger service, but the "Säröbanan" railbus also made an appearance. This was so that we could search for suitable couplings for it. We have found one, but it didn't like the tight curves in the fiddle-yard area on the layout (and we completely demolished two couplings)! We will conduct the same tests upon the FLMJ, and hopefully, we will have some better news soon. A new TGOJ wagon arrived on the Saturday, so this was taken to the event for the Sunday. Unfortunately, the photos on the Saturday were taken on a phone (due to the camera being left at home), but some better photos were achieved on the Sunday.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The Säröbanan railbus on the bridge near Småtorp on the Saturday.
Top Right - The TGOJ G-van in a train, awaiting its first turn on the Sunday.
Bottom - An older style railbus, in HNJ livery, waiting at Småtorp station.
[Photos: A. Allum]
16.10.11
The FLMJ was in action on October 15th, but despite plans to run more modern stock, we ended up with the Epoch-IV orange and brown liveries! The FLMJ provided most of the regular time-tabled passenger trains plus one goods train, and there were a few visiting models, all regulars! A new operation was inaugurated today, the InterRegio train had an extra coach which was taken off the train at Lövhöjden. The one coach was taken around the Siljansbanan to Månstorp whilst the main train continued on to Gärde. On the return, the single coach was shunted back into the main formation before continuing to Ålunden. Two of the coaches were new to the FLMJ, and are likely to be the last brown ones from NMJ (considering that they've withdrawn plans to produce the restaurant or luggage coaches). We also had a very long goods train, double headed, but which even the long track at Ålunden struggled to accommodate! Some scenic work was also applied, particularly a double level-crossing near the locoshed for a road giving vehicular access to houses!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The InterRegio train approaches Gärde. Note that the three coaches are all in different versions of the brown livery!
Top Right - The single coach with a diesel loco (the Siljansbanan in closed to electric locos)!
Bottom Left - A car waits to get over the new crossing to a house (in the background).
Bottom Right - A goods train takes the Siljansbanan route to Månstorp, seen here diverging off the main line to Gärde alongside the locoshed at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
The 'through coach' from Månstorp and Siljansnäs is added to the InterRegio train from Gärde to Ålunden.
A very long goods train passes through Lövhöjden.
18.09.11
On Saturday 17th September, AJK members were permitted to operate their British 00-scale trains upon the FLMJ. Three members took advantage of this opportunity, but the event was cut short by heavy rain! Of special interest, was a model of "Kestrel," a prototype loco that was eventually exported to Russia. Unfortunately one steam-outline loco failed in service with the infamous "wheel-tapper's nightmare," a broken wheel!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - "Kestrel" with a goods train at Liverden (usually known as Lövhöjden)!
Top Right - A Southern electric set operated upon the railway also.
Bottom - 75023 with its broken wheel (the one under the cab, the tyre is still there but not all of the actual wheel)!
[Photos: A. Allum]
Then on Sunday 18th, the FLMJ was open for a limited service with guests (to make up for the August event being inappropriately timed)! Again the weather was an issue, but our new Säröbanan railbus (without trailer at the moment) got its inaugural run, much to the bemusement of the (imaginary) passengers at all stations served! A more regular but new Y6 railbus got a run before the rain started; this came as part of a set, but it doesn't have enough power to pull the trailers! It does, however, come with a replacement wheel-set with traction tyres, so hopefully that will resolve that problem. There is also an issue with the couplings; it is not designed to be coupled or uncoupled in service (as the model needs to be turned upside-down), but we couldn't get the locating pins to fit! (A similar problem exists with the Säröbanan (GSJ) set.) A red-white-blue T43 also took to the rails, this time the Jeco version. Unfortunately, the FLMJ's new flagship loco, Rc6 1393 failed in service, but this is in the workshop already! Although the rain lasted for about only 45 minutes, the railway was too flooded for us to be able to continue!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - Månstorp passengers must have been a bit confused to see a GSJ railbus!
Top Right - T43 217, owned by one of the club members, seen at speed on its way towards Ålunden.
Bottom - Y6 1109 at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
14.08.11
The FLMJ had it's second 2011 Open Weekend in early August, and during this event, there were a few inaugurations! First, as advertised, the Northern Mainline - as far as Gärde - was opened on the Saturday. FLMJ Friend, and fellow SRS member, Raymond Butler cut the ribbon across the track at Gärde; and the special train comprising Rc7 1421 with the IC11 train and Conference car was then allowed into the station. The regular timetable was operated on both days (but Saturday was the last day of the main summer timetable, and Sunday was the start of the late-summer and autumn timetable).
On the Saturday, Rc6 1324 worked with a set of InterRegio coaches, and a member's Y2 1373 provided the shuttle service along the Siljansbanan for most of the day. The last turn along this route was performed by a new FLMJ model, Y1 1364! This model is still under construction, but the body, chassis and bogies are now together, and this was an ideal opportunity to test it before continuing with the work. Number 1364 has been chosen for this model because this was the one in which Adrian had his first Swedish cab ride, from Rättvik to Mora, in 1990. There were a few visiting trains, mostly epoch-4, but we're not normally too strict about the epoch rules for visiting models! T43 224 was brought to the railway, and given a rake of UGJ container flat wagons, most with loads. One of the unladen wagons was very unstable, but otherwise the train performed quite well, with only a few minor incidents! It is very rare for these wagons to run due to the fact that they have traditional couplings (in NEM boxes) because of the nature of the boxes that they are stored in! Other visiting trains included Ra994 with short InterCity train, Rc2 1035 and T43 220 from one guest and Rc2 1072 in GreenCargo livery.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - Rc7 1421 with the special train, seen at Lövhöjden, flanked by Y2 1373 and T43 224.
Right - Y1 1364 at Lövhöjden. It's appearance will be greatly improved with glazing and ploughs - and transfers!
[Photos: A. Allum]
On the Sunday, Rc5 1344 worked the regular service Ålunden-Månstorp-Lövhöjden-Gärde, and Y7 1136 worked the Siljansbanan shuttle. The timetabled InterCity train was headed by F701 with a rake of 1980s coaches in tow. New Du338 was the standby loco at Lövhöjden and Da940 worked a goods train. It was hoped that Rc6 1393 would enter service, but it took longer to apply the number transfers than we thought it would, but this loco should be ready for the next session! It did get a run for photographs, but without any handrails, mirrors or couplings.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - A Volvo Owners' Club rally was organised for the area between Lövhöjden and Gärde.
Right - F 701 at Gärde with the 1st-class coach of the InterCity train. This coach, A7 5237 is the oldest in service, being purchased in May 1990!
[Photos: A. Allum]
Throughout the weekend, we had no problems with the electrical equipment along the Siljansbanan or anywhere else! It was quite a pleasure to operate the railway in this way, and suitably inspired, the work (the extension especially) continues...!
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - Rc6 1393 spent a few minutes on the railway, going from Ålunden to Lövhöjden for photos, and then returning.
Right - Da 940 with the tanker train at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
The IC11 train returning from Gärde to Ålunden. [Video: A. Allum.]
Rc5 1344 arriving at Lövhöjden. [Video: A. Allum.]
23.07.11
On Saturday July 23rd, there was a combined work party and running session upon the railway. This was two weeks later than the usual 2nd Saturday in the month, but due to other commitments. There was a 2-minute silence at 11:00 in commemoration of the 91 people killed in Norway (Sweden's neighbour) on the previous day. There was actually very little work done on the railway, but there was a survey of the road/rail bridge on the new extension, and it is possible that the road will be lifted before the Open Weekend in August so that the railway can work properly! There was also a little electrical work (remedial) on the Kopparberg block circuits, and some of the platforms were glued back down, but a better solution is sought to this recurring problem. Trains run were from the Epoch-IV collection, and in addition to the FLMJ's stock, there were two visiting locomotives (from a club member). Toward the end of the afternoon, a brown-locomotive-line-up was arranged for photos, and this is one of the photos with this update. In addition to the locos shewn, there were two T43 diesels and the Y7 on the railway.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - Y7 1136 with the one-train-a-day at Gärde station. Train services to this station will be improved once all of the isolating switches have been fitted, and hopefully a local controller, also.
Top Right - A brown loco line-up at the shed at Lövhöjden. On track A (farthest), visiting Da 936 and (FLMJ's) Da 940; on track B, Du 373 and Da 823; and on track C, T21 64, Ub 717 and F 701. A second Du is on order at the time of writing!
Bottom - T43 224 is owned by an AJK member, and if you can't see the number you can still tell them apart by the traditional H0-style couplings!
[Photos: A. Allum]
Double-headed Regional train plus Conference car! [Video: A. Allum.]
20.06.11 - FLMJ News
If there's one thing that is predictable about the British weather, it is that the forecast will be wrong in one way or another. The FLMJ was open to guests on Saturday 18th June, and the forecast offered a dry morning, but with showers later in the afternoon. It was the other way around! Nevertheless, one AJK member and five guests were able to run a few trains between the showers. The setting was modern image, but a visiting D-loco and Canadian loco (!) were also permitted to run. The FLMJ's local train was hauled by an Rc-loco with two regular coaches (AB3 and B1), but the InterCity train was hauled by the recently repaired HectorRail 142 loco with a train comprising A2, RB4, two B7 and one DB (German) coach! The last local train for the day is scheduled to traverse the Siljansbanan, so the Rc-loco gave way to the TMX. The F-electric loco was brought out for photographs alongside a visiting one in the more original guise (A-end markers, etc), and the D-loco was brought out to compare with the visiting one. Whilst we were comparing, both of the FLMJ's Da-locos were brought out for the guests to see the differences between them. None of these were actually run; neither was the Ub-loco, though this had been intended to go to Lövhöjden as a relief loco, but the weather put a damper (literally) on that idea! At the end of the day, steam locomotive K24 1775 came out with an engineers' train, but it failed at Lövhöjden!
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - HectorRail 142 at the front of the InterCity train, at Lövhöjden. The coach is an old Lima A2 (not NMJ).
Right - The K24 with new (to the FLMJ) Engineers' coach, at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
The FLMJ was open again on the Sunday, and the weather was mostly dry, but there was a little rain in the late afternoon, just as we were about to pack away (so everything had to stay out longer to dry off in the sun-heat that followed)! There were three members and two guests on the Sunday. We set the clock back to the end of Epoch-IV (late 1980s) and this meant orange Rc-locos, a Y7 railbus, a double-headed goods train with Da-locos at the front, and so on. A visiting Ra-loco worked with the FLMJ's TGOJ coaches (complete with new baggage van), but needed more power, so the FLMJ's Ra-loco assisted on the return trip. The new TGOJ baggage car and one of the new Gbs vans need a bit of attention - this was their first time in proper service and they didn't hold the track very well! The T43 and (orange) T44 were brought out as relief locos, and the former was also used for haulage tests - we will be limiting goods trains to 7 wagons on the Siljansbanan unless double-headed, due to the severe gradients!
Despite the inclement weather, it was a nice Open Weekend, and we are already planning and looking forward to the one in August.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - InterCity train alongside the Y7 railbus, at Lövhöjden.
Right - Double-headed Ra-locos with the green TGOJ train, at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
The double-headed train passing the Post Office. [Video: A. Allum]
SJ News
In early June, the FLMJ's Director General made a visit to Sweden. The FLMJ acquired, as a result, a second Da-loco, number 940, which has detail differences to our number 823 (was 936 from Roco); a second-hand Roco Rc6 in the orange livery which will become number 1391 once we have found some transfers for it (there are none with it and the numbers 6 and 9 weren't on the original Roco sheet - we need to find an old Jeco one - can anyone help(?)); and a green TGOJ baggage coach by Heljan to go with the UGJ set of three coaches.
In order to help a fly-shy friend get to Sweden to see family, Adrian agreed to share driving duties with the friend's husband, so instead of a 2½ hour flight each way, it was a 2½ day journey each way, which included the ferry between Harwich and Esbjerg (Denmark). Now a tip: if you make this journey, do NOT stop off at a Danish MacDonald's; they do not understand the "fast-food" principle, it took 40 minutes to get served on the outward journey (and it wasn't crowded) and the one in Esbjerg town centre on the way back had just one person serving and one cooking! We were also a bit miffed with having to pay for fuel before actually putting any in (not just getting the card authorised, but actually paying). So we estimated the amount required, and the result was that the petrol garage diddled itself out of revenue because we could have bought more!
From a railway point of view, the new X55 got seen but not photographed - it was never in a suitable place (or at a suitable moment) to get any photos. The X3 (Arlanda shuttle) sets are in a revised livery; and so are some of the older T-bana cars, where there is a broad white band (full window height) to denote that the car has very few seats, ideal for people with baggage, or for the disabled, or simply to ease over-crowding by making commuters stand! There were a lot of the older trains in service. This is also true of the Pendeltåg, where there were many X10 units in service, but although quite a few of the older X1 units were seen in sidings, none were in service.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - An older style T-bana car in a revised livery.
Right - X10, X60 and Rc6 at Märsta station.
[Photos: A. Allum]
There appears to have been a power failure in the Centralstation area on Thursday 9th (or this was the explanation offered). The SL journey from Märsta to Centralstation was beset with problems. After departing Rosersberg, the train came to a very abrupt stop (about one train-length from the station), and after a lengthy delay, the driver sounded the horn and reversed back into the station, where the train waited before setting off again. The train sat at Sollentuna station for 20 minutes, and from there, it was checked at many signals, and at some times proceeded at walking pace! Thus, there was quite a flurry of activity at Centralstation once trains were rolling again.
During the second visit to MJ-Hobbyexperten, Adrian was told about a short walk to a railway bridge where some photography could be possible. The directions were easily followed, and conveniently, there was a bus from the bridge to Älvsjö station. Towards the end of the holiday, a visit was made to Uppsala station, which is being heavily rebuilt, and this includes platforms for the narrow gauge railway which used to have a 'nearby' station. (It still does, but is not quite so 'near' whilst the work is ongoing.)
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - One of the new trams operating on the erstwhile preserved route number 7!
Top Right - X60 seen from a bridge near Älvsjö (also near MJ-Hobbyexperten).
Bottom Left - The new platform (number 9, perhaps) at Uppsala station - for the preserved narrow gauge railway.
Bottom Right - A telephone box at Sigtuna (near Märsta) - very similar to a model that was on the "Steninge" layout before we got it!
[Photos: A. Allum]
Busy at Stockholm's Centralstation (north end). [Video: A. Allum]
31.05.11 Some behind the scenes work has been taking place at the FLMJ recently. More NMJ wagons have arrived, this time the Gbs, but of a different version to the Lima model, there were at least three! (We are preparing a special feature on 'G' wagons for this website in due course.) Spare parts for the Roco HectorRail loco have arrived and been fitted, and at last this loco is in a presentable condition, so is likely to be seen in traffic more often. We had difficulties fitting the parts when the loco arrived, and some got damaged; but it took some time to find a dealer prepared to order spare parts now that our previous supplier (near Oxford) no longer provides this service. Work has also progressed at Gärde with the scenery, and 'mounting blocks' have now been positioned for the station building and three cottages (so they don't blow away in the wind), but the goods shed still needs doing, as does the news kiosk, which is still under construction, with a photo to follow later! (It's a delightful model, worth waiting for...!)
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The two new Gbs wagons are adjacent to the goods shed, but the darker wagon on the other track is the Lima Gbs, coupled to some other varieties of the 'G' series! Nice to compare.
Top Right - Scenery is going in at Gärde.
Bottom Left - The HectorRail class 142 seen in 2007 with damaged handrails, missing wipers and so on! These are very fiddly components to fit.
Bottom Right - The same loco after a second attempt; much more pleasing to the eye!
[Photos: A. Allum]
16.05.11
Only one person was available during the May club session, so the number of jobs completed was very low! The new track alignment at Ålunden was finished, with bonding wires where necessary, and the control panel for the loco shed at Lövhöjden was fitted to the baseboard. A start was made on the modifications at Siljansnäs, but this area needs a completely new panel to provide one more motorised point and at least one more switched section! Unless Tuesday evening club sessions are well attended, the industrial area will have to stay out of action during the Open Weekend in June!
To break the monotony (and to test things) a timetabled train service was provided, using Epoch-IV stock. Da 823 worked the main passenger train, and Du 373 worked a train of through coaches (normally on our M-F timetable only). T21 64 was used for testing the track at Ålunden, and later at Siljansnäs. The last train of the day required access to the Siljansbanan where electric traction is barred, so we took the opportunity to test the K24 following minor overhaul.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The control panel for the Lövhöjden loco shed is much more accessible, now.
Top Right - Da 823 and T21 64 at Lövhöjden.
Bottom - K24 1775 with train at Månstorp.
[Photos: A. Allum]
10.04.11 Only one member worked upon the railway during April's maintenance session, laying the track that arrived earlier in the same morning! The main curve is as tight as we dared, and thankfully, the F-ellok does go around OK. All bonding connections were made, but at the Lövhöjden end, temporary jumper wires were connected across the block join so that it could, indeed, be tested. The main test train comprised mostly 'O' wagons of various sorts and one van, worked by our newest loco, Jeco's T43 227. The extension reached to the first point at Gärde, and as work finished, one further section was put in, onto which the buffer-stop was fitted! To break up the monotony of the work a 2-hourly passenger timetable was operated also!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - In this view, the revised alignment is very visible, with the discoloured area shewing the originally proposed route.
Top Right - F 701 with local passenger train stopping at Månstorp.
Bottom - T43 227 brings the test train around the main curve from the bridge towards Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
The test train! [Video: A. Allum.]
20.03.11 Three AJK members set to work upon the FLMJ in March, with the primary job being to apply the roofing felt to the new extension. In addition to being tacked down, we have glued it with the appropriate adhesive, so hopefully it won't lift. We also did a few track repairs (including the entrance to Ålunden) and then ran a few trains. One member had brought along the Roco model of the Re-lok, and this was compared with our ACME Re-lok. There are several detail differences, Roco being better in some areas, ACME in others. But the Roco model is the better performer (apart from the very dim lighting).
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - Matt painting the boards with roofing felt adhesive.
Right - Doug working under the layout; see how clean and tidy the boards look, now!
[Photos: A. Allum]
Five new NMJ wagons have arrived recently, and these were put out on display at Lövhöjden, and then joined with various other wagons to make up a decent length train. The train comprised 11 NMJ wagons, 2 Lima, 2 Roco and 3 Rivarossi; but none of the Jeco locos that we tried (Du, F, T44) could pull it up the very steep Siljansbanan. However, the Roco Da did manage this train (and the loco is somewhat heavier), as well as the ACME Re-lok (we didn't try the visiting Roco Re-lok as it had different couplings).
This was also the day that we said farewell to some of our lesser used (if not never used) models, one of the Roco blue Rc-locos and the Roco Norwegian El.16 loco, along with two of our Norwegian passenger coaches and two SJ passenger coaches, all Lima.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - ACME and Roco Re-locos side by side at Lövhöjden.
Right - Da 823 brings the goods train up the 'more gentle' gradient from Siljansnäs, towards Månstorp.
[Photos: A. Allum]
Da 823 with goods train arriving at Lövhöjden. [Video: A. Allum.]
27.02.11 The FLMJ took part with the operation of Patrick Grace's "Strömstad" layout on February 27th, at the Solent Model Railway Exhibition at Eastleigh. F701 was taken along as a test loco, but as expected (by both Patrick and ourselves), the curves and some points are a little too tight for this loco to operate freely! However, Du373 worked a local train with our ABo2 (a single coach train to replace a faulty railbus, so we understand), and later on, it worked a different local train with our Ao2, Bo1 and Bo5 coaches. This latter train previously consisted of our T43 233 and the three green TGOJ coaches that have hardly ever been run! The T43 has been for sale for quite a while, and during the day it was successfully sold (but not the coaches, we're keeping them)! GC Re1423 was taken along for static display on the nearby Scandinavian Railways Society stand, but our T21 didn't get used as Patrick had his own - and with the same number - and a few goods wagons were left in their boxes. But it was a good and enjoyable day out.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - F701 arrives at Strömstad whilst on test.
Top Right - T43 233 backs onto the TGOJ coaches.
Bottom Left - Du373 at Strömstad with its short local train!
Bottom Right - Patrick's Ra10 with typical 1960s train at Strömstad.
[Photos: A. Allum]
Du373 departs Strömstad with a passenger train [Video: A. Allum.]
13.02.11
There was a small work party upon the FLMJ in February, and this meant that the new baseboard extension to Gärde could be completed. The small closure piece is a removable section, but our intention for the track is to use Fleischmann rail joiners, because they are fractionally too large for Peco Code 100 rail. This means that they will slide easily without compromising the alignment. The electrical conductivity will be with a separate plug and socket. If, however, this does not work as well as planned, then it will be easy to just secure it into place as a permanent piece. Some points and motors were 'serviced' but the only motor actually in use, our only Peco PL-11 appears to have a mechanical defect, which we are investigating.
A couple of trains were run in order to check that everything is working properly, and to give us a chance to get photos of the F701 loco and the newest NMJ coaches that have arrived this year so far! Jeco do warn potential purchasers of the F-loco that it won't take the tightest of traditional train-set curves, and we found that Peco's "Medium Radius" is about the tightest that it will negotiate. The loco certainly needs proper running-in, but it is still very much an admired model!
As the day drew to a close, a start was made on replacing the troublesome 3-way point at Ålunden with two ordinary points, and these were fitted and connected electrically. However, connection to the tracks in the fiddle-yard is to be a later job. Again, as the temperature got colder as evening approached, the relays on the block sections started to fail, but even the oil lamp didn't generate enough heat to keep them working!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - The narrow lift-out section shewn to good effect.
Top Right - Rc5 1344 and F701 side by side at Lövhöjden.
Bottom Left - To the left, first class passenger coach type A2 in the last brown livery that these carried in the late 80s and early 90s; to the right, second class passenger coach type B1 in the original brown livery from the 70s (only the type designation is different from the 60s).
Bottom Right - The new points in place at Ålunden; tracks 1 and 2 need trimming so that they can fit, but track 3 needs a closure piece fitted!
[Photos: A. Allum]
F701 departs Månstorp. [Video: A. Allum.]
Rc5 1344 arrives Lövhöjden. [Video: A. Allum.]
09.01.11 AJK members set to work with the extension to Gärde in January, and progress was very good. About 10m of boards along the back fence were assembled, fitted with legs and cemented into place. Additionally, the board that abuts the existing railway at the up end of Lövhöjden was cut to its irregular shape and fitted up. There is just one 'closure' piece that needs to go in, now, and then we can look at applying the roofing felt and then a railway! There will be a crossing place for people getting to Ålunden where it had originally been proposed, and we are looking for an easy means of sliding stock boxes under the layout for ease of access.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - Daniel is seen working on one of the new boards. We used some existing frames that had been given to use, so the polycarbonate sheet was attached to this and then trimmed, and then the legs attached. We only made two completely new boards, the one abutting the present railway was cut to shape first, and then the frame and legs attached. Then small holes were dug in the ground for the legs, and filled with "postcrete" once the boards were at the correct height.
Top Right - A good overview of the work, from a photo taken the following morning.
Bottom - A suggested layout of buildings, but a small supermarket is also destined. The railway would be along the back (left) edge of the boards, two tracks wide (and a short third track in front of the goods shed).
[Photos: A. Allum]
12.12.10 The FLMJ had a special event on December 11th, more of a social event to commemorate the Director General's final payment for the home, but a good excuse to run trains! Unfortunately (perhaps), the snow from the previous week had cleared, so we didn't have that challenge or photo opportunity. Being a general open event, we weren't too choosy about visiting models, so a TGV and Leopold Gun in H0-scale and British "4CEP" trains in 00-scale were among them! One member set to work installing the connections to the tracks in and around the locoshed at Lövhöjden, but we had to make plans for the next project with further problems with the Siljansbanan relays also affecting the relays on the line between Månstorp and Ålunden - so a complete rewiring of the block controls has been agreed.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - Last train home was pulled by the new steam loco, F 1207; seen here under floodlight (and camera flash) at Lövhöjden.
Top Right - We think the TGV took a wrong turn at Nice...!
Bottom Left - Things did seem to be getting serious - or not, as the case may be - with this Leopold Gun and train!
Bottom Right - One of the three 4CEP units (with a class 73 electro-diesel at the other end), at Siljansnäs.
[Photos: A. Allum]
13.11.10 Three club members attended the railway in November, and although no work was done on the railway itself, we made a significant step forward with the projection to Gärde and Fjällnäs. First, the planning and surveying. We shall have a radius of nearly 1.5m for the curve to the back fence. There will be a gap between the railway and the fence in case we should need access along the back. There will be a standard-width board for the extension to the fence, but which will have a narrow point for somewhere for people to cross the railway (and we shall make this look like a bridge over a river). Then there will be narrow boards towards Gärde, and then standard width boards at the station. This much is certain; beyond there to Fjällnäs is still subject to some discussion. The track layout at Gärde, despite the suggestion in the latest "FLMJ-Nytt," will be based on Badabruk (1953) on the Fryksdalsbanan; more about that in a forthcoming "FLMJ-Nytt." We spent the afternoon, however, replacing the two damaged fence panels and refitting two others. They're far from level, but we now have a bit more privacy from the public footpath alongside the brook, and it looks a bit tidier, also.
Click thumbnails for large images
Top - Spot the two new fence panels...!
Bottom Left - The frames for the boards at Gärde station, laid on the ground more-or-less where they will be fitted.
Bottom Right - Daniel prepares one of the recycled boards for the line to Gärde.
10.10.10
A club day was proposed for a Saturday in October, but members were mostly engaged with other things. Nevertheless, the opportunity was taken to run-in the railway's latest acquisition, the Heljan model of SJ's former "flagship" locomotive type, F-class, number 1207. This model, like Heljan's T21, is not very well made, and it has been given some very bad reviews. This particular model (part of a later batch, apparently) does at least have better wheels, and apart from one slight kink in our track, the loco stays on the rails (we've sorted out that kink, of course)! It appears that the loco drive wheels and some of the tender wheels are driven (10 wheels in total), but it still struggles up some of the FLMJ's inclines. Detail on the model is very nice, but too intricate for an 'operational' model!
The Sunday of the same weekend was the British 00-scale day, but again with a poor turn out of members. The local passenger train service was provided by a pair of class 150 diesel units, but all else was much older; mostly LMS, including a very fine Patriot loco. A 9F brought a 17 wagon (plus brake van) train around the layout, and even managed to get around the Siljansbanan without major issue (but the loco is very fussy over the slightest kink)! Some track repairs were made also; the two lines into Ålunden were re-laid (one at a time) and the sliding expansion joins were removed as they slide upwards in addition to their intended movement! This problem was causing derailments, and both sections needed relaying anyway, so we just got on with it. There is a plan to replace the 3-way point here, but that would have had a serious effect on the day's operations. Some track along the Siljansbanan was also realigned, as well as the kink mentioned in Saturday's report!
Click thumbnails for large images
Top Left - F1207 at Lövhöjden; the unusual loco colour shews a different shade in different lighting conditions; strictly speaking, it is labelled as "blue." [Photo: A. Allum.]
Top Right - This "Jubilee" loco in BR green relieved another failed loco on a goods train! [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Left - Class 150 DMU and an LMS 'Patriot' 4-6-0 at Lövhöjden. [Photo: D. Hill]
Bottom Right - LMS G2A 'Super-D' 0-8-0 passes through Kopparberg with a goods train. [Photo: D. Hill.]
F-1207 through Lövhöjden and Kopparberg. [Video: A. Allum.]
F-1207 through Månstorp and Siljansnäs. [Video: A. Allum.]
F-1207 tender-first up the 1:30 Siljansbanan! [Video: A. Allum.]
Two 'Sprinters' pass the loco yard at Lövhöjden (aka Liverden). [Video: A. Allum.]
19.09.10
The FLMJ was open for invited guests on September 18th & 19th. In essence, the Saturday was a modern day and the Sunday was a "pre-Epoch-5" day. However, a few 'older' items did appear on the Saturday, not least the Du-loco with a special train for the official opening of the rebuilt railway; and a few newer items on the Sunday!
The special train ran at 13:00 with Du 373 at the front of a train of 1960s coaches, a mixture of Lima and NMJ models. It was stopped just before the platform to allow a ribbon to be cut, and then the train entered the station.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - The ribbon being cut to declare the rebuilt railway "open."
Right - "Skinnebuss" at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
A few regular visiting trains were run, including several former FLMJ models now sold to new owners, as well as some new models, including an Epoke model of a Danish "skinnebuss" railbus and trailer. This DCC model was deemed OK to operate on the analogue FLMJ, but it was very slow and operated in the wrong direction! One especially unusual train, given that a visiting T44 had different couplings at each end, was a short goods train comprising three wagons, headed by the FLMJ's T43 233, and with the visiting T44 376 at the rear! Towards the end of the Saturday, the IORE was brought into service, the first time since its overhaul. It performed better than it has ever done in the past, an unfortunate slur on current Roco quality!
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - The IORE arriving at Lövhöjden; other trains from left are visiting Ra 994 with an InterCity train, visiting Rc6 1323 (a duplicate of our Rc5 1323) with Märklin train, and T21 64 with cement train.
Right - Re 1423 with a Green Cargo train at Lövhöjden.
[Photos: A. Allum]
On the Sunday, an assortment of older models (both in terms of epoch and in some cases, age of the model) was brought out with not a Blue-SJ model in sight! Du 373 had a 12-wagon goods train which made no effort to slow down the loco, so there are no issues with power here! Rc5 1344 worked a passenger train for most of the afternoon, but failed, and had to be replaced by Da 823. During the day, work was carried out on the new small control panel for Lövhöjden's loco depot, and two of the eight tracks were brought into use.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - From left, Rc5 1351, Du 373, Da 936 (just visible), and Rc5 1344.
Right - A triple-header at the end of the day - to get all the stock back to Ålunden in as little time as possible!
[Photos: A. Allum]
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnail for large image
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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)!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
Left - EG 3112 at Grunfurter Strasse.
Right - 142 002-5 along the high-level section.
[Photos: A. Allum.]
Videos - Hosted by YouTube
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Click thumbnail for large image
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!"
Click thumbnails for large images
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!
Click thumbnails for large images
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.
Keep checking this website for the latest news on the rebuilding of the FLMJ
Sponsor the FLMJ?
The FLMJ needs rebuilding, but funds are very limited, and the new plans do take this into account. The FLMJ is looking toward a brighter future with open events that are hassle-free (though the weather will always be a nuisance). Certain parts of the project have been the subject of pledges - the trackwork, the signalling and other electrical work. However, the base is the biggest cause for anxiety, and the FLMJ is still looking for assistance with this - either by sponsorship or by an interest-free loan.
As the FLMJ is not a public railway, (and it is located on a private residential estate,) we are not looking at putting up big posters for the sponsors. However, we are looking at free advertising in our journals for an agreed duration, and posters for display during open events only. (Also, when the new layout is featured in the "Continental Modeller" magazine, all of our sponsors (where in agreement) will be mentioned.) E-mail AJK for more information.