Strax efter ankomsten av Pocher C3b anlände deras DF5 under oktober! Det betyder att vi nu har båda deras 2-axliga personvagnar; båda mycket gamla, men båda imponerande noggranna i detalj; ovanligt för deras ålder! Den här har en låda, men vi behöver fortfarande jobba på kopplingarna! Den har redan fått några modifieringar, så återigen var priset angenämt.
Vi har fler nyheter om den nya järnvägen som ska byggas här, och det spännande projekt som den har potential att bli. Huvudjärnvägen i H0-skala/spår kommer att kallas Rickbacken—Töjnan Järnväg. Rickbacken blir huvuddiorama med en storstadsscen. Töjnan, och en tredje station, Skarpa Gård, blir mindre men kommer att få lika mycket uppmärksamhet i sin konstruktion och utveckling. Istället för att följa FLMJ:s tema nord-mitt-syd blir Rickbacken ett typiskt tätortsområde, Skarpa Gård blir öppet land och Töjnan blir mest industri. En sak som FLMJ saknade var en smalspårig linje, trots att smalspåret är så populärt och flitigt använt i Sverige; men trädgårdsmiljön var helt enkelt inte rätt. Vi har nu möjlighet till flera smalspåriga linjer, H0e (9 mm för att representera Sveriges 802 mm spårvidd), H0m (12 mm för att representera Sveriges 1067 mm “cape” spårvidd), och H0n3 (10,5 mm för att representera Sveriges 891 mm spårvidd); men tankar om H0n2 (7 mm för att representera Sveriges 600 mm industrimätare) och ännu mindre skulle vara för för tidigt i detta skede! Det har förekommit funderingar om en spårväg då denna skulle vara väldigt svensk, men trolleybussar är osannolikt för även om Sverige har dem, och har haft dem, så verkar det inte ha funnits några under Epok-IV! En extra möjlighet för huvudjärnvägen är att ha en “bara bra väder” utomhusdel. Men det ser en lång väg framåt och kanske inte kommer att förverkligas. Bygget bör starta 2024, efter att golv, tak och väggar har gjorts mer “hemtrevliga”.
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Efter en paus med uppdateringar (uppenbarligen inget nytt att rapportera), har HNoll nu meddelat att medan B4-vagnarna och liknande har betalats för, kommer de att levereras; men allt annat får vänta tills allas ekonomier har återhämtat sig. Även om det inte är helt goda nyheter, är det det mest förnuftiga alternativet med tanke på de rådande omständigheterna.
Vissa H0-skala Volvo 740-modeller har kommit från Minichamps, men bilderna tyder på att PCX87-modellerna är bättre detaljerade och bättre proportionerliga! Detta är överraskande med tanke på den höga detaljnivån som deras mer sportiga bilar har!
Andra intressanta nyheter
MJ-Hobby hade sin Tåglördag under oktober och som det börjar bli vanligt var det inspirerande för oss att se layouterna som visades för naturskön inspiration. Landskapet på FLMJ var väldigt grundläggande på grund av utomhushänsyn, en fullständig kontrast till den sista inomhusplaneringen som generaldirektören hade byggt på 1980-talet! Så hela teamet förbereder sig för den nya utmaningen.
Under tiden var ett tåg som körde längs det tidigare NOJ perfekt tidsbestämt för ett besök i området (till huset), och den typiska ångrelaterade lukten, förlåt, aromen från ångloket på baksidan var fantastisk!
Hot on the heels of the arrival of the Pocher C3b, their DF5 arrived during October! This means that we now have both of their 2-axle carriages; both very old, but both impressively accurate in detail; unusual for their age! This one has a box, but we still need to work on the couplings! It has already received some modifications, so again, its price was agreeable.
The Pocher DF5 (right) is seen adjacent to their C3b (on a display track).
We have more news about the new railway, and the exciting project that it has the potential to become.
The main H0-scale/gauge railway will be called the “Rickbacken—Töjnan Järnväg”. Rickbacken will be the main diorama with the largest scenic area. Töjnan, and a third station, Skarpa Gård, will be smaller but will receive as much attention in their construction and development. Instead of following the FLMJ’s theme of north-central-south, Rickbacken will be a typical town area, Skarpa Gård will be open country, and Töjnan will be mostly industrial. One thing that the FLMJ lacked was a narrow-gauge line, despite narrow-gauge being so popular and widely used in Sweden; but the garden environment just wasn’t right. We now have the possibility for several narrow-gauge lines, H0e (9mm to represent Sweden’s 802mm gauge), H0m (12mm to represent Sweden’s 1067mm ‘cape’ gauge), and H0n3 (10,5mm to represent Sweden’s 891mm gauge); but thoughts about H0n2 (7mm to represent Sweden’s 600mm industrial gauge) and even smaller would be too premature at this stage! There have been musings about a tramway as this would be very Swedish, but trolleybuses are unlikely because although Sweden has them, and has had them, there seems to be a gap during Epoch-IV! One extra possibility for the main railway, is to have a “good-weather-only” outdoor section. But, that is looking a long way ahead, and might not come to fruition.
Construction should start in 2024, after the floors, ceilings and walls have been made more ‘homely’.
Manufacturer News
After a pause with updates (evidently nothing new to report), HNoll has now advised that whilst the B4 carriages and those like them have been paid for, they will be delivered; but all else will have to wait until everybody’s economies have recovered. Whilst not entirely good news, it is the most sensible option given the current circumstances. Some H0-scale Volvo 740 models have arrived from Minichamps, but the pictures suggest that the PCX87 ones are better detailed, and better proportioned! This is surprising given the high level of detail that their more sporty cars have!
Other News
MJ-Hobby had their Tåglördag (train-Saturday) during October, and as is becoming typical, it was inspiring for us to see the layouts on display for scenic inspiration. Scenery upon the FLMJ was very basic due to the outdoor considerations, a complete contrast the last indoor layout that the Director General had built in the 1980s! So, the whole team is gearing up for the new challenge.
Scenic inspiration for our new railway. We do have this Y1/YF1 railbus combination, but our road vehicles will be in right-hand traffic (post 1967)!
In the meantime, a train operating along the former NOJ was perfectly timed for a visit to the area (to the house), and the typical steam-related smell, sorry, aroma from the steam loco at the back was awesome!
A preserved T41 diesel brings an enthusiasts’ special train along the former ‘Bockabanan’!A class A5 steam loco assists with propelling, ready to be at the front on the return trip!
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; K: The future
We have looked at the many means of keeping our friends (known and otherwise) informed and up to date with the Railway’s progress. So, what about the future? We have already decided against continuation of “FLMJ-Nytt”, “AJ-Nyheter”, and the Year Book in their current formats. Updates on our website will naturally continue (updated monthly seems to make sense) and quite possibly the production of an annual review which combines elements of the Year Book and the Stock List (and the regular journal), could be a good idea. Naturally, the new railway will be written about in articles for the main magazines. But the old layout is not forgotten; and we are preparing a book about that Railway. All of the resources are being examined; the publicly available publications, and the various reports; all combined into one overview of what was a remarkable and unusual railway. From time to time, other social media platforms are mentioned and suggested. Some seem inappropriate, some have a poor reputation. But the way in which we use the website seems good enough for our purpose, so any progression onto these platforms seems unlikely, at least for now. An annual review has always been considered interesting. It puts the Railway’s development into perspective, and serves a sense of nostalgia. Over the last year, a new format has been developed, inspired by the “Lok & Vagnar” series produced by Stenvalls; but for us, remaining as an annual production. It will serve as an overview, and we would like to give it a new title, but we’re still working on that! It will be created in Publisher again, and a PDF version is likely to be made available online, or sent by email by request; with a paper copy being equally available. Desktop publishing in whatever form is widely produced today. In fact, today, even the term ‘desktop’ seems almost obsolete with people posting updates on the social media platforms via their smartphones. Presentation and layout (and quite often, grammar and spelling) are seemingly considered not so important on these platforms, and pre-selective text often leads to much mirth and embarrassment! For the foreseeable future, we will continue to use ‘desktop’; we will use ‘Publisher’ and PDF; our updates will be timebound (not casually as-and-whenever); and we will endeavour to present a professional image. But of course, as the times change, so might we change with them; but change needs to be for the better, not for change-sake!
Vi har målat mattsvart på insidan av några hussatser för att blockera interiörbelysningen från att lysa igenom plasten. Vi kommer då att montera fönster och dörrar, men inte faktiskt montera dem; så att vi kan lägga undan dem i deras lådor tills ett permanent hem har hittats åt dem. Vi började med modellen av Åmåls stationsbyggnad (vår Lövhöjden, som behövde bytas ut efter att ha skadats av så mycket väder). Under denna månad har vi även tagit del av några bra priser på Joswood laserskurna kit och två har köpts in, redo för samma behandling.
Tillverkarens Nyheter
HNoll har kommit med fler nyheter. Förseningar beror som vi redan vet på problem i Kina med Covid, och problem i Sverige med räntor och generellt stigande priser! B4/BF4/BF7 väntas på sensommaren. Resten av A7/B7 och specialvagnarna väntas strax därefter. A11/B11 skulle vara nästa, men för närvarande finns det inte tillräckligt med intäkter från befintliga modeller för att betala för deras produktion. HNoll befarar att folk kommer att ge upp att vänta och behålla sina Roco-modeller, men när HNolls överlägsna kvalitet väl uppskattas tror vi att de flesta modellbyggare kommer att välja att ändra dem. Första generationens A7/B7 och BFS9 finns på ritbordet/CAD. Förutom ett omnämnande av B2/B10 finns det, klokt, inget vidare utvecklingsschema. (Vi hoppas på följande modeller: A7 (första serien), B7 (första serien), B2, B4 och UAF7, alla i brunt, två av varje utom UAF7 (en). Om HNoll skulle producera R4 i brunt utan InterCity pil skulle en av dem också vara trevlig.) Utöver 1980-talets vagnar överväger HNoll 1940-/1970-talets BC2 liggvagn, 1960-talets R1 restaurangvagn och 1960-talets WL1 sovvagn. (Alla dessa skulle passa oss väldigt bra.) De skulle vara dyrare än befintliga modeller eftersom de nästan inte har några designdetaljer som kan “bäras över” till/från andra modeller! (Varken R1 eller WL1 finns i NMJ:s 1960-talsvagnar.) HNoll planerar fortfarande att tillverka ett Ma-lok i toppklass, även om Jeco har en befintlig modell; och vi befarar att detta skulle hamna i priskategorin Brimalm och locka så få köpare att det inte skulle vara en klok investering. (Varför inte bygga en acceptabel modell av Mg-loket; det skulle vara mycket mer användbart och populärt?) Dessutom vill HNoll producera X10-enheten och alla dess derivat. De enda aktuella modellerna är satserna från SWB/UGJ, men med ett Byggsvenskt chassi fungerar dessa fint; skulle X10 locka tillräckligt många köpare för att vara värd att producera? Vi skulle föredra X9; aldrig gjort färdig att köra tidigare, men en bra representation av SJ:s rullande materielhistoria.
Andra intressanta nyheter
Vi har återställt en länk till det Storbritannien-baserade Scandinavian Railways Society, nu när deras webbplats är tillbaka under samhällets kontroll och ser mycket bättre ut; snyggt, läsvärt, relevant, osv…! Vi har också lagt till en länk till Model Train Prices på vår hemsida. Priser på modeller jämförs mellan butiker, inklusive 20 i Sverige; men det är inte bara för svenska modeller. Prova och se.
It’s been a low-activity month, again. We won’t bore you with the saga of finding a suitable home for the Railway, because it is just about buildings. But this has taken up a lot of time recently. Desperate to do some model-related activity, it was decided to open some of the housing kits, paint matt black on the insides to block interior lighting from shining through the plastic; and then fit things such as windows and doors. Stopping at this point means that the kits can be put back in their boxes, for assembly once in situ in the eventual location. But we can also use a very low-tack adhesive if we want to put them together for photography or other reasons! During this month, we also took advantage of some good prices on Joswood laser-cut kits, and two have been purchased, ready for the same treatment. We started with the Heljan model of Åmål, as used at Lövhöjden. Our existing model is quite badly weather-damaged, so having found an unbuilt kit on Tradera (the Swedish ‘eBay’) some time ago, we decided that it would be good to replace it. In addition to the insides of the walls and rooves, we painted the gutters and downpipes, chimney tops (and insides), and small details on the main base plate. Looking further ahead, we are intending to not use the printed paper curtains, because the interior lighting shines through the curtains but not the space in-between. Instead, we intend to fit home-made interior walls, basic interior details suitably painted, and have a more authentic appearance. Quite how well this goes will be determined as we do it!
The Joswood summer house and school buildings, as kits.Matt Black (looking glossy whilst wet) has been applied to the insides of this model to prevent the light from shining through the plastic!Åmål station building, by Heljan, seen here at the old Lövhöjden.
Manufacturer News
HNoll continues to keep modellers up to date with developments, and despite all the problems being experienced, Rickard remains up-beat, which is good to know. The problems are of course, the delays in China due to Covid; and an enormous hike in interest rates and utility prices, affecting people’s ability to buy the models, and subsequently HNoll’s ability to produce the next round of models. a) The B4/BF4/BF7 are expected late summer. b) The remainder of the A7/B7 and the Special carriages are expected soon after. c) The A11/B11 would be next, but currently there is not enough revenue from existing models to pay for their production. HNoll fears that people will give up waiting and retain their Roco models, but once HNoll’s superior quality is appreciated, we think that most modellers will choose to change them. d) First Generation A7/B7 and the BFS9 are on the drawing board / CAD. e) Other than a mention of the B2/B10, there is, wisely, no further development schedule. (As a point of interest, we are hoping for the following models; A7 (first series), B7 (first series), B2, B4 and UAF7, all in brown, two of each except the UAF7 (one). If HNoll were to produce the R4 in brown without the InterCity chevrons, one of those would also be nice.) There are however, mentions of other, non-1980s carriages; either to accompany the proposed ‘InterCity’ concept train or as requested by modellers. These are the 1940s/1970s BC2 couchette carriage, 1960s R1 catering carriage, and 1960s WL1 sleeping carriage. All of these would suit the FLMJ very well. They would be pricier than existing models because they have very few design details that can carry over to/from other models! (Neither the R1 nor WL1 are in NMJ’s 1960s carriages range.) HNoll still plans to produce a top-of-the-range Ma-loco, despite Jeco’s existing model; and we fear that this would end up in the Brimalm pricing category and attract so few buyers, that it would not be a wise investment. (Why not build an acceptable model of the Mg-loco; that would be much more useful and popular?) And on top of this, HNoll wants to produce the X10 unit and all of its derivatives. Fair enough; the only current models are the kits from SWB/UGJ, but with a Byggsvenskt chassis, these work fine; would the X10 attract enough buyers to be worth producing? We’d prefer the X9; never made r-t-r before, but a good representation of SJ’s rolling stock history.
The Märklin R1 (with reduced scale length) is seen in a train on the old KRBJX10 3149 (the prototype for the FLMJ’s model) at Kungsängen.X10 3149 at the original Köpingsvik station.
Other News
We’re delighted to re-establish a link to the UK-based Scandinavian Railways Society, now that their website is back under Society control, and looking much better; tidy, readable, relevant, etc…! We’ve also added a link to Model Train Prices on our website. Prices of models are compared between shops, including 20 in Sweden; but it is not just for Swedish models. Try it and see. As a rule of thumb, there is very little price competition between the shops for Swedish models. (Customer service says a lot, here in the Nordic territory.) Swedish models are produced in small batches to match the smaller demand than for other countries like the UK, Germany, US, and so on. Smaller quantities lead to higher prices, so there is very little margin for shops to compete, knowing that the prices have to be low enough to attract customers, but without putting themselves (or the manufacturers) out of business. Look above at the problems being experienced at HNoll, for example.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; E: The Stocklist
Additional to the Year Book, and with a similar cover photo, we have produced a printed Stock List every year. Its purpose was simply to catalogue all locomotives, units, carriages and wagons that we have here. Even after a computer program became more relevant, this provided a good back-up, quick and easy to read. But only one copy was ever printed, and kept on file. This has been maintained, but this year’s list (as always, correct to January 1st,) could be the last. We also have this information in other formats, formats that are more useful to us with regards to operating the railway; such as a service schedule in Excel. A simplified list is produced in Word and is taken to all events and places where there might be an opportunity to acquire desired models; its purpose is to ensure that we can avoid duplicating existing models! And this copy is sufficient for our insurers. In our previous updates, we considered the future alternative for the Year Book. It could include elements from this book; if we feel that it makes interesting reading.
February was quite a busy month, for the wrong reasons. The employment was being wound down (not enough orders coming in) and being on a time contract, being sent home (or just told not to come in) became very much the rule. This provided time to apply for better employment (and accommodation), and in order to break up the stress, a lot of modelling! T21 87 was reassembled in a whole day! Only five things fell off during this process, two of them cab windows. Ordinarily, one should not need to remove the B-end motor cover (unless access to the DCC loudspeaker is required), and having been glued together by Heljan, we can aver that it is impossible to get off without damaging it! The fibre-optic rods go from receptacles in the body into the chassis, horizontally; but the body can only be removed vertically! The trick was to prise off the (glued on) front panel and try not to lose the upper lamp pieces! We were fortunate in that only one tiny part got lost, and that all five lamps (if you include the red) at this end work, albeit, one of the whites dimly (which is not inauthentic)! The A-end was much easier, though again there was damage to the fibre-optic rod to one of the lamps because it is fitted horizontally in a body/chassis that separates vertically! Gluing it back on was not a viable option, but pressing it into the receptacle in the chassis for its ‘mate’ to meet up with it when we mounted the body was better. (To remove this end, the part of the body nearer the cab needs to be inclined as per Heljan’s instructions, to enable the tabs to clear the chassis; but tilt it too much and the rods break!) This is being typed whilst we wait for glue to dry before refitting the last handrail (to a step that was one of the items that fell off); but there is no guarantee that this will go back on without issue or complication! [Stop Press: Yes, sure enough, the steps fell off, the nearby buffer beam fell off, and during handling to put these right, the exhaust stack fell off. No other manufacturer could make a model with so many ‘issues’!] The N 1304 steam loco had its couplings refitted, with the Roco receptacles mounted onto plastic blocks (but not with the kinematic mechanism). At the front, this sat in a small gap between the frames and behind the lighting resistor that was behind the buffer beam. At the back, there was a lot of space, so a plastic block was bolstered by some washers, but it all fits in quite nicely. There was a plan to replace the buffers with the sprung ones that we had recently acquired; but we decided that this was less urgent, and that when it is done, we will re-seat the headlamps at the back so that they don’t overhang the buffers! When BC4R 5467 was delivered, two drainage pipes had been knocked off. Comparing this with number 5476, we were able to see where they should be fitted, and this was finally done. Examining this carriage afterwards, we noticed that it too, has M84S bogies with real coil springs, but these are less flimsy than on the newer A7R and B7R models, and not so obvious. One of the Ugkkpp wagons, being so short, has been used as a test model for coupling compatibility tests with the steam loco above, and with the T21 and T45 diesels; but we found that it was much more delicate than we had realised, and a pair of components near one of the wheel-sets had got knocked off. These were refitted, and all four of these wagons are now declared unsuitable for ‘test’ work! Our relatively new (Norwegian) NSB ‘Hbikks’ van was finally fitted with its required handwheels, small ones for the parking brakes, and larger ones for the opening doors. These hadn’t been missing; they were in a bag with the model. We just needed to find the time to fit them!
With the front panel off, the fibre-optic rods can be removed – a requirement before removing the hood!The Roco coupling mounted onto the N-loco.The two drain-pipes in the corners, under one of the BC4 carriages.Lots of small parts are under each of the ‘Ugkkpp’ wagons, so they need to be handled very carefully!The newer NSB van seen just after the yellow handwheels were fitted.
Manufacturer News
Some updates have appeared from HNoll (one seemingly backdated) in which Rickard takes stock of events over the last six years. To date, HNoll has sold roundly 5,700 sleepers and couchettes in 51 different configurations (liveries and running numbers), 2,600 restaurant carriages in 18 configurations, and 9,300 ordinary seating carriages in a presently undetermined number of configurations, with more to follow. However, despite these latest carriages selling in the greatest number, it represents roundly 50% of those received from China and sales have, after the initial rush, stopped dead. Rickard wonders if they were not as interesting as models as he had hoped (given that these are the closest competition to the Roco models), or if it is for economic reasons. We are convinced beyond doubt that it is for economic reasons. Food prices in Sweden have almost doubled in the last year; electricity costs have more than doubled. People are struggling and having to divert hobby money to basic survival. And to a greater or lesser extent, this is true around most of Europe regardless of political position. Since the start, HNoll’s operations have been 100% based on home loans and other favourable loans. This was because the interest rate had been very favourable for a long time. The situation has clearly changed for the worse financially as the monthly cost with interest has noticeably increased. The revenue is eaten up by the interest and there is great uncertainty about expected sales volumes. Volumes need to be kept at a high level to generate enough revenue which have the risk of turning into loss if sales volumes are less than expected. There may need to be a halt in tool manufacturing as the loans must be prioritised. The ‘generation-2-blue’ (A7/B7) carriages that were missing in the latest delivery should arrive together with the B4/BF4/BF7 carriages in the summer. Maybe also the long-awaited Blue-X carriages, but that depends on the sale of the carriages in stock. There is currently not enough money to bring the Blue-X carriages into production this spring. (They have, among other things, differently opening windows!) It is hoped that the special carriages (S1, etc) can be delivered in the Autumn. It is of course, our hope that Rickard is able to keep the production running, even if there has to be a delay with the next round of models. But people’s private economies need to improve before this can happen; the interest and other financial problems that Rickard has experienced, have also been experienced first hand, by a vast majority of the Swedish population (and his other worldwide customers). For the FLMJ, we are looking forward to the B4; and hoping for B2, UA7X (aka AFM7), and series 1 A7/B7. (Assuming that we haven’t misinterpreted an earlier comment by HNoll, we are also hoping for one R4 (which would be original brown without the InterCity chevrons), to go into one of the night trains; but we fear that might be a misunderstanding!)
In other news, and really too modern for the FLMJ’s station car-parks, PCX87 is to produce a 2019 year model Volvo V60 in four different colours, in H0-scale.
A picture of the pre-production PCX87 Volvo V60; the first modern Volvo car in H0-scale after the 850 estate, thus a gap of roundly 25 years!
Other News
Forever breaking the tiniest drill bits that we have, we are now experimenting with 0,2 and 0,5mm bits made by Tamiya; which have a 1mm shank. This prevents us drilling too deep with the finer bits and will maybe last a lot longer. Previously, we had been given something similar by a dentist friend, but the dental bits have much longer fine sections. Time and usage will tell.
We have searched for a long time for an official meaning of the letter ‘h’ in the wagon type ‘Uh’. In ‘SJF 637’ from 1971, we have found that it simply means, “for liquid and gaseous substances”, or in other words, ‘tank wagons’. We have updated the relevant section of the website!
LEG’s film series, “Svenska Tåg” is no longer available in the shops, sadly; the DVDs can only be purchased from one ‘approved’ supplier. Thus ends our association with them (we have editions 1 to 51). We will not endorse any action that potentially leads to the closure of Railway hobby related shops.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; C: The Newsletter, AJ-Nyheter
AJ-Nyheter was a less glossy and more formal newsletter created for the people who were regularly active upon the railway. Instead of book and video reviews, this would have explanations to the changes in the operating rules, servicing instructions for the various models, and anything that was more appropriate to the operation of the Railway than the promotion of it. It also promoted the same for the club’s other activities, including the outings and exhibition layouts (Köpingsvik and Steninge, for example). This newsletter changed format several times, from A4 printed single sheets, to staple-bound magazines, and various alternatives in between! And whilst the main journal was leaning towards colour production, this one certainly wasn’t. With the closure of the Railway, this newsletter was naturally obsolete. However, in fact, it had stopped in production earlier because it was considered superfluous; internal issues were best talked about, not written; and any written communication that was necessary was enacted by email. It is envisaged, that when the new railway does get started, an online presence will be more likely, and that AJ-Nyheter will not go back into production. Online communication already exists among some of the Friends of the Railway, who are keen to build their own Swedish model railway dioramas, and naturally have our full support. One key area for this is the Swedish equivalent of eBay, where some very good models of Swedish rolling stock often appear, but the sellers will ship only to Sweden, or the EU, or the EEA (and some couriers will not operate in the UK now). So, delivery is taken here in Sweden, and we arrange (with the Friend) for onward delivery (or collection during a visit)! So now, two key journals have been stopped, ‘FLMJ-Nytt’ and ‘AJ-Nyheter’, and both are very unlikely to restart; but that’s not bad news! We abhor change for change-sake; but change for improvement has always been encouraged and as we will discuss during the year, we are taking advantage of this quiet spell to prepare for a new means of printed communication in support of our online presence, Next month: our Annual Review.
And finally: We aim to post our updates on the first day of the month following (February’s news on March 1st, for example). So be aware that if looking through archived news, our host records the archive date as the ‘date published’, not the date that the news is about. (Thanks to one of our readers for this enquiry.)
En del arbete utfördes på T21 87 under januari. “Bågen” i A-ändens buffertbalk gjordes större så att kopplingarna nu kan användas, och ersättningsbuffertar har monterats. Beskrivningen av det sistnämnda jobbet ges i den engelskspråkiga uppdateringen. En del arbete utfördes också på T45 328. Under januari monterade vi boggisidorna och bolster på modellen, vilket förbättrade dess utseende. Sedan monterade vi plogarna framför boggierna och sedan stegen och ledstängerna. Vi skulle också vilja få in mer vikt under kroppen eftersom loket verkar för lätt Som förväntat tog vi emot våra HNoll-vagnar av typen A7R och B7R. Dessa modeller är mycket överlägsna i kvalitet jämfört med Roco A7/B7, och de kommer i skyddslådor, vilket Roco-modellerna inte gör! De är ungefär bara 200kr dyrare än Roco, vilket tyder på att Roco är överprissatta!
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Trix ska producera en likström version av nya Märklin Rc5. Det kommer att vara i 1990-talets orange färg (med logotypen “flygande falukorv”); och märkt som Rc5 1364, säljs som artikelnummer 25281. Tidiga bilder tyder dock på att chassit är för mörkt och att taket har helt fel färg! HNolls nästa vagnar kommer troligen att vara B4 och olika derivat (BF4 & BF7), och dessa förväntas anlända i slutet av året, eller i början av 2024. Vi är intresserade av att skaffa två till de vanliga InterCity-tågen; och kanske en tredjedel för ett av sovtågen! (Vagnarna fick först identiteten B4 av SJ, men denna ändrades senare till den mer korrekta BF4 där F står för lastutrymme.) Märklin annonserar ut ett paket med tre vagnar typ Tbis571, artikel 47303. Dessa SJ-vagnar är tvåaxlade skjuttaks-/skjutväggsbilar och är i rödbrun grundfärg med grå skjutdörrar och skjuttakar. Utförandet har konvexa skjutdörrar och är utan bromsmansplattformar. Modellerna ser ut som de gjorde runt 1985. På modellerna glider faktiskt taken upp, men inte dörrarna. Vi känner inte till en Trix likström version, men DC-hjulset per bil är artikel E700580.
Andra intressanta nyheter
Om du letar efter en ursäkt för att fira något i år, överväg följande. 2023 är det 100-årsjubileum av elektrifieringen av Malmbanan; 70-årsjubileum av introduktionen av loktyperna Dm och Ma, och YCo6 rälsbus; och 30-årsjubileum av bildandet av Scandinavian railways Society (i Storbritannien), vars 100:e upplaga av deras tidskrift utkommer under året.
Work progressed on the recently acquired T21 87 diesel during January. One small challenge was the ‘arch’ in the A-end buffer beam which prevented couplings from being used. This has now been widened (one of the compromises one has to sometimes make with working models), but it is still an arch; just wider. The bigger challenge was the buffers. Heljan provides unpainted brass buffers with the model, which protrude too much and are not sprung. Not being sprung is not a problem, as long as the user does not intend to use the factory fitted chain-link coupling! But protruding too much prevents the use of close couplings. The buffers were hollow and had been mounted (with glue) over studs, so we followed a simple procedure, yet precise, to replace them.
Thankfully Heljan used weak glue and with pliers we were able to pull the buffers off.
Using a fine drill, we drilled through the studs’ centrelines and through the buffer beams.
Going through the buffer beams meant that we had reference points, so we could next remove the studs.
We then widened the drilled holes to fit the new Bachmann buffers; loose fitted them and then took them out, so that we could refit the buffer beams to the loco without the buffers; thus revealing the need to drill a little way into the chassis also.
Being on the edge of a sub-frame (not the actual chassis itself), we instead used a file to make clearances for the backs of the buffers.
Then the buffers were lightly glued into place, and the beams back onto the loco. Job Done!
The Bachmann product, incidentally, is article number 36-032, a pack of eight round sprung buffers, intended for the British 00-gauge market, but perfectly fitting – mentioned just in case any of our readers are looking for ways of rebuilding their Heljan T21 locos!
Missing its body, here is T21 87 shewing the enlarged arch in the buffer beam, and the new Bachmann buffers!
We also worked on our T45 328. During January, we fitted the bogie sides and bolsters to the model, greatly improving its appearance. We were able to discard some plexiglass pieces because they had been supplied with the model for use with the then-recommended drive-chassis from a provider in Helsingborg; but we used the more modern chassis from SV&LV, where the bogies were suitably designed for these pieces to be redundant. We had two of each type of bolster, and as with the Rc-locos, it is quite random which way round they are fitted. The one good picture that we have of the real T45 328 shews both bolsters ‘pointing’ inwards on the one side visible in the photo, so that is how we have mounted ours. Then we noticed that these are actually mentioned in the instructions and two were wrong, so they were exchanged (the bolsters should point outwards on the other side)! The next challenge with this model was fitting the etched brass components, ploughs onto the bogies, steps, and then the handrails. In all cases, we had to improvise because there was no clearly marked fitting place for any! The ploughs needed to be quite forward from the bogies, so these are mounted onto the couplings (with spacers). The handrails seemed totally wrong when all available photos were studied, so with 0,5mm brass rod we manufactured our own! Although far from perfect, we are pleased with the results, and in the process, we mounted the extra low level steps. Job Done! However, we would also like to fit more weight under the body because the loco seems too light…! More about the T45 below!
Bogie detail on the T45, shewing the side mouldings (plastic) and the sprung bolsters (metal). The bolsters have subsequently been repainted to correctly match the bogie-sides!T45 328 on the work-table, now with correct-colour bolsters; plus ploughs, steps and handrails – ready to enter service!
As expected our HNoll delivery arrived early January, comprising two A7R and two B7R carriages. These models are far superior in quality to the Roco versions, although the differences are subtle at a quick glance. The fact that the Roco models are only ±£20 cheaper, and come in unprotective brittle plastic tubs (instead of protective boxes), suggests that they are somewhat overpriced!
One of the HNoll B7R carriages, seen after delivery.One of the HNoll A7R carriages, seen after delivery.
Finally, recent correspondence suggested that the Uad/Uadp iron ore wagons had their first two digits changed at some point from 20 to 41. We tried this change with the three that have incorrect ‘control digits’ (given that none of them shew the first four digits on the wagons), and thus the ‘control digit’ was accepted as correct. Job Done!
Manufacturer News
Trix is to release a 2-rail version of the new Märklin Rc5. In the orange livery, but 1990 condition (with the “flying falukorv (sausage)” logo), it will be Rc5 1364 and sold as article number 25281. However, early photos suggest that the chassis is too dark and the roof is completely the wrong colour!
HNoll’s next carriages will probably be the B4 and various derivatives (BF4 & BF7), and these are expected at the end of the year, or early 2024. We are interested in acquiring two, for the regular InterCity trains; and maybe a third for one of the sleeper trains! (The carriages were first given the identity B4 by SJ, but this was later changed to the more correct BF4 where F stands for cargo space.)
Märklin is advertising a pack of three wagons type Tbis571, article 47303. These SJ wagons are two-axle sliding roof / sliding wall vans, and are in a reddish-brown basic paint scheme with grey sliding doors and sliding rooves. The version has convex sliding doors and are without brakeman’s platforms. The models look as they did around 1985. On the models the rooves do actually slide open, but not the doors. We are unaware of a Trix 2-rail version, but DC wheelsets per car is article E700580.
Other News
More about the loco type T45. ASEA (Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget), which for a long time was Sweden’s largest manufacturer of electric locomotives, also tried its hand at building diesel locomotives in the early 1970s. The idea was to challenge Nohab in Trollhättan, which until then had dominated the Swedish diesel locomotive market. A bogie locomotive was constructed where, among other things, the bogies and parts of the electrical equipment were the same as in the Rc locomotives, thus offering a standardisation of spare sparts. Otherwise, the locomotive was a collaboration: the diesel engine was of the SEMT-Pielstick system and was manufactured by Hedemora Verkstäder, while Norwegian Thune was responsible for the mechanical parts and the locomotive bodies. In terms of appearance, the locomotives were quite similar to the T43 and T44 locomotives, and they became the T45. Up to three locomotives could be multiple-worked. In 1969, SJ signed a contract with ASEA to rent the five locomotives that were manufactured. They were delivered in 1971-1972 in an orange/white livery similar to the Rc locos, but with ASEA branding, and no SJ logo. The locomotives were placed in Borlänge and pulled both freight trains and passenger trains on the then still unelectrified line to Mora. In 1976, SJ returned the T45 locomotives to ASEA. Operational reliability had not been so good, mainly due to problems with the diesel engines and SJ did not really want another diesel locomotive type. ASEA tried to sell them abroad but there was no interest. Only one locomotive (324) was sold to the mining company A/S Sydvaranger in Kirkenes in Norway. The remaining locomotives became shunting locomotives in various Swedish industries, including at the ironworks in Avesta and Hofors. The investment was therefore not a success and ASEA did not build any more diesel locomotives. Today, there are no T45s left in traffic and all locomotives except one have been scrapped. T45 327 is preserved at the Gefle-Dala Railway Museum Association in Falun [www.mfgdj.nu].
About 328: Manufactured by ASEA, Västerås, Sweden in 1972. Manufacturing number 1702. Leased 1972-76 by SJ from ASEA. Based at Borlänge 1972-75. 328 was sold in 1978 as a shunting locomotive to SKF Steel in Hofors, where it was given the ownership number 8631. In Hofors, the locomotive was useful on the industrial track from the mill to the station, which runs at a very steep incline (approx. 15‰). The locomotive was supplied (by SKF) with handrails around the platforms, automatic couplings, lighting and TV cameras over the ends. In 1992, SJ took over the shunting at the mill and the locomotive ended up with SJ in Gävle. When SJ took over the locomotive, it received a small refurbishment and was test driven for some speculators. However, the locomotive had some remaining faults, and was worn, and in addition, an odd locomotive construction does not warrant any sale. The locomotive was then disposed of to the Railway Museum in Gävle, but in autumn 1994 it was sold to SP Tågservice in Östersund. In Östersund, the locomotive was revised and in May 1995 it was put back into operation, now leased to Banverket for macadam (ballast) train service. During that summer, the locomotive suffered a serious failure of the diesel engine due to overloading; the diesel engine was removed from the locomotive and sent back to Hedemora. However, it was judged to be so costly to repair the locomotive that it was instead scrapped. The bogies were sent to SSAB in Domnarvet, which used them under its locomotive, 327. (327 had been sold in 1995 to SSAB in Donmarvet, where it was overhauled for approximately SEK 1 million and received, among other things, the bogies from 328.) (Information from mostly jarnvag.net and svenska-lok.se)
If you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate something this year, consider the following. 2023 is the 100th anniversary of the electrification of the Malmbanan; 70th anniversary of the introduction of loco types Dm and Ma, and the YCo6 railbus; and 30th anniversary of the formation of the Scandinavian Railways Society, whose 100th edition of their journal will be published during the year.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; B: The Journal, FLMJ-Nytt
KRBJ-Nytt, which eventually became FLMJ-Nytt, was a general news journal. It enabled us in our pre-IT days to keep everybody up to date with the Railway’s development and other activities, and also carried special features such as book and video reviews, and anything else that we thought our readers might appreciate (and this even included one year with a cartoon strip)! The frequency changed over its course, finally settling on five editions annually (produced week numbers 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, so there was virtually no risk of losing copies in the Christmas post)! As the Publisher program was automatically updated, so did our curiosity and development, and the last few editions were very neatly presented. In addition to UK proliferation, copies were sent to readers around the world, including USA, UAE, Australia and the Nordic countries. Today, members of the Scandinavian Railways Society benefit from their journal, “Skandiapilen”, which is now edited by Adrian, and has a much more dynamic presence than anything produced before, both for the SRS and for us. It represents an idea of what FLMJ-Nytt could have looked like if it continued in print, today!
FLMJ-Nytt front cover of an edition from its last year in print.Skandiapilen for the SRS, from the same editor as FLMJ-Nytt!
Naturally, our readers had an interest in the KRBJ/FLMJ, so everything was related to that interest. With the closure of the FLMJ in 2018, it seemed pointless continuing whilst there was no actual railway to report from, and most (if not all) of our readers are online. Therefore, the decision has been taken to not restart it once a new railway does get going; but we’re not completely forgetting our publishing heritage, as we’ll discuss later in the year!
Next month: the ‘internal’ newsletter for the committed ‘members and friends’ of the Railway!
Under december numrerade vi om den dubbla grå barlastvagnen; ett jobb som gick ganska bra. Men vi upptäckte att den (och den andra som vi köpte samtidigt), hade AC-hjuluppsättningar och behövde bytas. Vi verkar sakta samla in värdelösa AC-hjuluppsättningar!
Vi har haft en genomgång av kopplingstyper på FLMJ:s rullande materiel och tagit beslutet att det nuvarande systemet behövde uppdateras och några kopplingstyper tas bort; andra tillade. Vi kommer att fortsätta att använda Roco-kopplingar för det mesta av rullande materiel. Se dock vår kommentar om Piko-kopplingar nedan. Vi kommer att eftermontera Dm3-loket och alla Uad/Uadp-vagnar med Rocos imiterade SA3-koppling och fasa ut Kadee eftersom det inte är tillräckligt tillförlitligt. Dm-loket och Mas-vagnarna skulle inte ha SA3-kopplingar så de kommer förmodligen att ha Piko-kopplingarna (om de är lätt tillgängliga). Vi överväger också att experimentera med NEM-monterade Scharfenberg-kopplingar för motorvagnstågen (X10, Y1/YF1, Y6/Y7, osv).
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Goda nyheter från HNoll är att vagnar äntligen har anlänt från Kina, cirka 24 månader efter schemat. Som vi förstår det har modellerna A7, A8 och B7 kommit, men inte A11 eller B11 på grund av ett tillverkningsfel (främst fel färg). Vi kommer att hämta FLMJ:s beställning under januari.
Förra månaden nämnde vi att MJ-Hobby hade några intressanta nya släp med Y6-seriens järnvägsbussar på displayen. Vi vet nu att de är typerna UBF7Z och UDFo15 och varje version kommer att finnas tillgänglig med tre nummer, och det kommer att finnas dc och ac versioner.
Andra intressanta nyheter
En liten nyhet om vår förfrågan med Bachmann UK (som det inte finns några svenska modeller från). De svarade mycket snabbt och grundligt på vår förfrågan om ett paket buffertar som de producerar (vi behövde veta måtten). Dessa är lämpliga för att ersätta de pålimmade buffertarna som sitter på T21-dieslarna, som sticker ut för mycket! Bachmann svarade på mindre än 24 timmar!
Nyligen hade vi möjlighet att prata med någon från Dekas. Vi kommenterade att alla fyra “Ugkkpp”-vagnar har felaktiga UIC-kontrollsiffror. Som svar trodde man att vagnarna imiterade vagnar som ses på fotografier, men Dekas skulle undersöka det. (De är fullt medvetna om hur systemet fungerar.) Så vi undrar om vagnarna kan vara felaktigt märkta i skala 1:1? Till exempel; de två första siffrorna ändras då och då (vi är inte säkra på varför), och kanske kontrollsiffran glömdes bort i processen? Mänskligt fel som väcker frågan om hur effektiv kontrollsiffran egentligen är! Siffran finns för att förhindra mänskliga misstag, men om felet finns där till att börja med…
A suitable weekend was found in which to renumber the duplicate grey ballast wagon; a job that went reasonably well. However, placing the wagon (and it’s ‘mate’ – a pack of two wagons) on the track revealed a dark irritation in the form of a short circuit! Both wagons, like the ore wagons mentioned last month, had ac wheel-sets and needed changing. Fortunately, the odd-one-out with the ore wagons had dc wheel-sets already so we had a head start (spare sets) and were able to change them on one wagon immediately; but the other has to wait until we can buy some more. We seem to be slowly collecting useless ac wheel-sets!
During December, we conducted a review of coupling types on the FLMJ’s rolling stock, and decided that the present system needed updating and some coupling types removed; others added. We will continue to use Roco close couplings for the majority of stock, despite their weak points. Both Fleischmann and Piko close couplings are more robust than Roco, but they have poor availability. Nevertheless, some trains are likely to be fitted with them (fixed rakes, for example; see below). We no longer need to identify H0 standard couplings fitted to chassis (as we now use Roco/Symoba conversion kits), or British pattern 00 couplings, or a few others; so these will go. We have decided, however, to retrofit the Dm3 loco and all Uad/Uadp wagons with Roco’s imitation SA3 coupling, and to phase out Kadee because that is too dependent on service and maintenance to be reliable (two Mas are out of service presently for this reason). The Dm loco and Mas wagons would not have SA3 couplings so they will probably be changed to Piko (or Roco). We are also considering experimentation with NEM mounted Scharfenberg couplings for the unit trains (X10, Y1/YF1, Y6/Y7, etc).
A Roco ballast wagon in unmarked grey livery; this one carrying a new number as it had been a duplicate!The Achilles’ heel of the Roco coupling is the extended ‘tongue’ which all too often bends outwards, rendering it useless!
Manufacturer News
HNoll is a little more upbeat now that carriages have finally arrived from China, some 24 months behind schedule. With horrendously rising utility costs in Sweden, it is not certain if people will still be able to afford them, but we hold our thumbs for a good result (and therefore more models). As we understand it the A7, A8 and B7 models have arrived, but not the A11 or B11 due to a fault in manufacturing (mainly wrong colour). We will be collecting the FLMJ’s order during January.
Last month, we mentioned that MJ-Hobby had some interesting new trailers to go with the Y6-series railbuses on display. We now know that they are types UBF7Z and UDFo15 and there will be three different numbers offered with each type, and there will be dc and ac versions. The UBF7Z is a driving trailer, with second-class seating and cargo space, adapted for running with X16/X17, and of which there were 31. They were previously type UBFo7ye. The UDFo15 was a non-driving trailer for mail and luggage, for running with diesel or electric units, and of which there were 25. None survived late enough to receive the later type designation (which would have probably been UDF15). They are not quite the same as the UDF20 (UDFo20) nor UF (UFo6); see our article on this website for more information [General Articles > Dateboxes (The Y6 Railbus)].
Other News
A little heads-up for Bachmann UK (from whom there are no Swedish models), for their very quick and informative response to our enquiry about a pack of buffers that they produce (we were needing to know the dimensions). These are suitable for replacing the glued-on-over-studs buffers fitted to the T21 diesels, which protrude too much! Bachmann responded in fewer than 24 hours!
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with a representative from Dekas, and in praising them for the quality of their ‘Ugkkpp’ wagons especially, we asked if they would accept feedback in the form of constructive criticism, which they would. We commented on all four of these wagons having incorrect UIC control digits. In reply, it was thought that the wagons imitated some in photographs, but Dekas would investigate. (They are fully aware of how the system works.) So, we have wondered if the wagons could be incorrectly marked in 1:1 scale? For example; the first two digits are changed from time to time (not sure why), and maybe the check digit was overlooked in the process? Human error which raises the question of how effective the whole point of having the check digit really is! The digit exists to prevent human error, but if the error is there to start with…
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ Over the next few updates/months, we are going to look at how the FLMJ was promoted, with a special look at the publications that have been produced over the years.
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; A: The beginning For many years before the Railway existed, there had been other railways, the two most significant ones being the 00-gauge Grove Central Railway and the 00-9/H0e gauge Herpham and District (Light) Railway. Being brought up in a house where an old manual typewriter and Rex–Rotary duplicator were in frequent use, an interest in producing documentation of some sort was naturally kindled. Further to this, was the connection with the Great Cockcrow Railway, and therefore its owner, Ian Allan, a well known transport book publisher. Imitating IA’s so-called ‘ABC’ range of stock lists, one was produced for the Grove Central Railway in 1979. Then came a news book, and eventually, the regular “Grove Rail News” journal; produced in bound magazine format. For many years, stencils were ‘cut’ for the duplicator before the advent of widespread photocopying; but still started on a typewriter, admittedly now, an electric ‘golf-ball’ one! Progression to a so-called ‘daisy-wheel’ typewriter was ruled out because there was not enough torque to ‘cut’ the letters into the stencils!
By the time that the KRBJ was started, a typewriter and photocopier were the tools of the trade. Photocopying was with black ink only, and whilst the option of colour laser printing was desirable, the poor quality of the images (at that time) didn’t justify the extortionate expense. We were quite late at getting into the computer era; but when we did, the so-called “Publisher” program seemed to enable us to create small miracles, and was found to be more adaptable and flexible than the more common “Word” program. Third Party programs were also tried, but the ready-installed version shone through and is still used to this day, even if physical printing has all but disappeared. (The current updates are produced in “Publisher”, and are available as PDF prints, or uploaded by ‘copy-and-paste’ to the website.)
Considering the role of ‘Adnalms Förening (Järnvägar)’ (the name that we use for our printed publishing), in relation to everything connected with the FLMJ, we will spend the next few months looking at our journals, printed and otherwise, online presence, and various other means of communicating with you, people who are interested in our development and progression. Naturally, with the closure of our main asset, the FLMJ, big changes have become apparent; but maybe it was time for some of these changes to happen anyway? It will be seen, that we are thinking about a new format to take us forward, but quite how we create and present that format, is still being considered.
Next month: the journal that found its way around the world!
Med inköp av lämpligt material fortsatte arbetet med T45-loket. Ett plastblock sattes in i varje ände under karossen, i chassinivå, och efter att ha limmats, borrats och gängat kan vi nu fästa karossen i chassit i ändarna. Detta korrigerar de visuella effekterna av det lätt böjda chassit. Loket är nu nästan klart för inkörning. Boggisidorna och bolstren (kosmetiska föremål på modell) verkar ha lagts på ett säkert ställe, så de kommer att monteras senare; men för närvarande finns det inget ytterligare arbete att göra med denna modell. Detta betyder dock inte att det är komplett. När vi köpte modellen för många år sedan köpte vi inte saker som ledstänger, torkare och liknande; så vi hoppas kunna införskaffa dessa under de kommande månaderna (gärna som tilläggssats, men skrapbyggda om de inte finns), troligen från ‘Hjulmarknaden’.
Tillverkarens Nyheter:
HNoll har drabbats av ytterligare problem, några med mycket bredare knock-on-effekter. 3D CAD-designern på Dekas, som ritar HNolls modeller, har sagt upp sig, och kommer inte att ersättas. De modeller som har ritats kommer att tillverkas, men det som finns på ritbordet kommer behöva kompletteras av någon annan. Detta innebär att leveransen av vagnar kommer att försenas ytterligare på obestämd tid. Dessutom går priserna upp; material, arbetskraft, frakt och ökade levnadskostnader i Sverige. Priserna på HNolls modeller kommer att justeras. De passagerarvagnar som är på väg (för närvarande hålls i kinesisk tull) kommer att kunna hålla sitt rekommenderade pris på 995:-. Men, B4/BF4/BF7 vagnarna kommer att justeras till 1195:-, och det finns ingen känd leveranstid!
Förra månaden tillkännagav vi tillgängligheten av PCX87 Volvo 343, men vår levererades inte förrän i september, så vi hade ingen bild. På vår engelska nyheter, här vi en bild med två av modellerna: för att annonsera om 343:an som en billigare modell än 240:an som fanns tillgänglig samtidigt, tillverkade Volvo dem i primärfärger.
Andra intressanta nyheter:
Modellutställningen på Kårsta, som nämnts på vår hemsida, fanns inte! Deras annons gav ingen specifik adress för evenemanget, så vi gick till den enda adressen som anges på deras hemsida, Kårsta stationsväg 16, 186 60 Kårsta; som verkar vara en bostadsfastighet, inte platsen för ett evenemang med minst 16 handlare! Vi var inte de enda som åkte dit. En annan person ringde några telefonsamtal (inga till arrangören eftersom inget nummer anges) och fick reda på ett rykte om en händelse nära Vallentuna, inte så långt borta; men utan adress övergav vi (och de andra personerna) uppdraget och gick hem! (När vi insåg att detta var en parodi hade tåget som tog oss till Kårsta avgått, och det var en timme till nästa, så den allmänna stämningen var inte bra!)
Till en finare sak; vi har upptäckt vad som verkar vara en ny webbplats i Sverige, som vi har länkat till från denna webbplats. Den visar den svenska järnvägskartan och platsen för nästan alla tåg i trafik, färgkodade efter hur bra de presterar i förhållande till tidtabellen. Detta är användbart för passagerare som kanske undrar var deras försenade tåg är, och intressant för entusiaster av alla möjliga hobbyrelaterade skäl. (Vi kan nu se när ett godståg är på väg att köra förbi vårt fönster och står därför redo med en kamera!) Den ovanliga URL:en är 1409.se.
