Under juni månad var vår primära uppgift att modifiera de två Pocher-vagnarna så att de kan tas i bruk. Arbetet krävde att båda eftermonterades med NEM-kopplingar. Men DF5 behövde lite extra arbete inklusive att måla om taket till en satinfinish, sätta in en korrekt interiör inuti och vrida ner hjulen; och den behövde en ny låda. Båda modellerna hade redan modifierats kraftigt innan vi köpte dem, så att göra det här arbetet ogiltigförklarade inte något arvsvärde som de kan ha haft. Våra versioner av modellerna är från mitten av 1960-talet, men karossformarna går tillbaka till 1958 och 1959. C3b är från 1904, och 1911 kompletterade 20 C3c-vagnar 99 C3b. C3c hade en toalett i ena änden. Märkligt nog är Pochers modell nummer 1449 och har korrekt C3b-interiören, men markeringarna är helt klart C3c (som vi kommer att ändra när vi kan få lämpliga dekaler). DF5 är från 1929 och 30 byggdes. Skillnaderna inom flottan var små, men Pochers modell, nummer 2884, kommer med passagerarsäten vilket är helt fel, därav det extra arbete som krävs!
Även under juni månad monterade vi ihop vår modellsats av en skånsk bondgård. Detta var ett gammalt kit från Heljan, så det passade inte ihop så bra och instruktionerna var ganska hopplösa; men jobbat klart och det ser faktiskt ganska trevligt ut. Det är lite underskala, men för en gammal skånsk gård är det nog inte så mycket problem!
Tillverkarens Nyheter
I en uppdatering från HNoll har försäljningen av B4, BF4 och BF7 gått långsammare än önskat (uppenbarligen på grund av ekonomin och att modellbyggare inte har lika mycket pengar till övers som tidigare) och behöver ett rejält lyft. Det har varit problem med att etiketterna på BF7-vagnarna är fel och att nya skulle tillverkas. Tyvärr har detta dragit ut på tiden och kommer inte att fortsätta. Helt enkelt är vagnarna rätt märkta men etiketterna (på lådorna) var fel. Etiketter har också varit fel på några tidigare vagnar.
Andra intressanta nyheter
I slutet av maj avgick en stor del av styrelsen vid arvsjärnvägen vid Nora efter en utdragen konflikt med stiftelsen som äger spåren. På ett extra möte lördagen den 29 juni diskuterades föreningens framtid och en ny styrelse valdes. Deras tre huvudsakliga syften är nu att arbeta för ett bättre samarbetsklimat med stiftelsen, att förbättra deras ekonomi och att återuppta museitrafiken så snart som möjligt. Föreningen Nora Bergslags Veteranjärnväg (NBVJ) och stiftelsen Nora Järnvägsmuseum och Veteranjärnväg (NJOV) förvaltar tillsammans Nora-Järle och Nora-Pershyttan järnvägslinjer. Nora-Ervalla järnväg var den första normalspåriga banan i Sverige för allmän trafik, invigd 1856. NBVJ är en ideell förening som äger merparten av fordonen och sköter trafiken själv. NJOV är en stiftelse som äger banan. Stiftelsen startades av bland annat Region Örebro län och Nora kommun.
Through June, our primary task was to modify the two Pocher carriages so that they can be brought into service. The work required both to be retrofitted with NEM couplings. But the DF5 needed some extra work including repainting the roof to a satin finish, putting a correct interior inside, and turning down the wheels; and it needed a new box. Both models had already been heavily modified before we bought them, so doing this work wasn’t invalidating any heritage value that they may have had.
Pocher’s C3b and DF5, suitably modified for use today. These models are roundly 65 years old!
Our versions of the models are from the mid-1960s, but the body-moulds go back to 1958 and 1959. The C3b dates from 1904, and in 1911, 20 C3c carriages supplemented the 99 C3b. The C3c had a toilet at one end. Curiously, Pocher’s model is number 1449 and correctly has the C3b interior, but the markings are clearly C3c (which we will change when we can get suitable decals). The DF5 dates from 1929 and 30 were built. Differences within the fleet were slight, but Pocher’s model, number 2884, comes with passenger seating which is totally wrong, hence the extra work required!
C3b interior with a few subtle modifications.DF5 interior as it should be.
Also during June, we assembled our model kit of a Skånska farmhouse. This was an old kit from Heljan, so it didn’t go together very well and the instructions were quite hopeless; but job done and it actually looks quite nice. It is a little under-scale, but for an old Skåne farm, that is probably not much of an issue!
A Danish (or Skånska) farmhouse, which will find a home on the RTJ.
Manufacturer News
In an update from HNoll, sales of the B4, BF4 and BF7 have been slower than desired (obviously due to the economy and modellers not having as much money to spare as previously) and need a real boost. There have been issues with the labels on the BF7 carriages being wrong and new ones were to be manufactured. Unfortunately, this has dragged on and will not be continued. Quite simply, the carriages are correctly marked but the labels (on the boxes) were wrong. Labels have also been wrong on some earlier carriages.
Other News
At the end of May, a large part of the board at the heritage railway at Nora resigned after a protracted conflict with the foundation that owns the tracks. At an extraordinary meeting on Saturday 29 June, the association’s future was discussed and a new board was elected. Their three main aims now are to work for a better cooperative climate with the Foundation, to improve their economy, and to restart museum traffic as soon as possible. The association Nora Bergslags Veteranjärnväg (NBVJ) and the foundation Nora Järnvägsmuseum och Veteranjärnväg (NJOV) jointly manage the Nora-Järle and Nora-Pershyttan railway lines. The Nora-Ervalla railway was the first standard gauge line in Sweden for public traffic, inaugurated in 1856. NBVJ is a non-profit association that owns most of the vehicles and runs the traffic itself. NJOV is a foundation that owns the track. The foundation was started by Region Örebro County and Nora Municipality, among others.
E2 1182 with an unusual grey boiler, at Nora.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series about the new railway; 7: Zätaspåret
When we selected H0e for the Fenixås Jernväg, this was because our preferred industrial gauge, 600mm would have been much more difficult to model, especially the different gauge crossings. Nevertheless, space permitting, Kållstorp (along the H0n3 Stuverydsbäckens Järnväg) could have a narrow gauge line using H0n2 (7mm gauge) to represent Sweden’s 600mm gauge (not exactly, but close enough). 600mm was certainly the most popular gauge for industrial railways, and it ought to be represented if possible. But for Epoch-IV, its industrial use should probably, quite authentically, give way to tourist traffic! Train models for this gauge all seem to be American-influenced, so some modifications to make them acceptable, would be necessary. This narrow-gauge line is probably the least likely to be built (of the ones discussed so far), but it will ‘remain on paper’ until development of the RTJ has reached a stage where a firm decision can be made. The name has a local reference, and should not be confused with ‘Z’-gauge, which is actually 6½mm.
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 införskaffat en Pochervagn typ C3b. Trots modellens ålder (den är från 1958) är den väldigt autentisk och väl detaljerad. Det enda produktionsfelet är att den är tryckt som en C3c (identiska vagnar förutom att C3c hade en toalett, men nummer 1449 var en C3b, och modellens interiör inkluderar inte toaletten)! Den har inga kopplingar (eller låda), därav det bra priset vi betalade för den, men båda sakerna kommer att lösas i sinom tid.
Den 30 september var det femårsjubileum av det sista tåget som körde på FLMJ, vår svenska modelljärnväg i H0-skala i trädgården runt ett Park Home i England. Det hade varit vår förhoppning att vi skulle markera detta femårsjubileum med ett ’första tåg’ på en ny järnväg; men även om det inte är möjligt nu (möjligheten har passerat), har vi åtminstone några goda, positiva nyheter om vägen framåt. En ny järnväg ska byggas i källaren under ett hus i södra Sverige, enligt överenskommelse med villaägarna där. Det kommer att bära andan från det tidigare FLMJ och använda så mycket av den rullande materielen och natursköna material från den som möjligt; men det blir inomhus. Även om det är möjligt att behålla FLMJ-namnet (genom att ha tre huvudstationer), har det beslutats att eftersom den nya layouten skulle vara så mycket annorlunda, skulle ett nytt namn vara bättre. Det nya namnet kommer att avslöjas när vi har låtit alla möjliga varianter privat, så att när det dyker upp här kan det förhoppningsvis vara absolut! Det är för tidigt att skriva om en ny järnväg i detalj, men här är en retas… Källaren består av 4 rum, arrangerade 2+2. Ett rum lämpar sig för ett stort diorama, så detta skulle ersätta FLMJ:s Lövhöjden, vår huvudort och järnvägscentrum. Ett rum bredvid fungerar också som tvättstuga, men med gott om plats bredvid ytterväggarna är troligen ett mer avlägset diorama här. Det tredje rummet har ett hinder i form av en inåtgående dörr (utåtgående dörrar från källare är inte en bra idé om det ligger snö på marken), och idéerna för detta rum är fortfarande lite vaga. Det fjärde rummet, som inkluderar trappan från huset, skulle kunna ge möjlighet till en smalspårig sektion! Vi hade velat ha en smalspårig linje för att stödja FLMJ, men att göra detta i trädgården var oklokt. Sverige har haft många smalspåriga järnvägar, och en del av järnvägarna från två av spåren (891mm & 1067mm) absorberades av SJ; så de är betydelsefulla. Retas avslutad; kanske mer nästa månad!
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Under ett samtal nyligen förstod man att Jecos föreslagna diesellokomotiv T23 kan vara tillgängligt inom de närmaste månaderna (kanske i tid till Hjulmarknaden?), och att den nya Rc-serien då borde vara snart efter. Vi frågade inte om släpvagnarna till rälsbuss!
Andra intressanta nyheter
Med mycket kort varsel nämnde vi på vår “kommande evenemang”-sida, evenemanget Höglandståg i Nässjö. Vi hade förbisett det, men vi insåg att det är nära där vår nya järnväg ska ligga. I första hand var detta en utställning av digitala modulära järnvägar; det fanns två järnvägar, en i vardera av de två använda rummen; den ena H0-skalan, den andra N. Operationellt var detta inte av intresse för oss (som DCC), och det var naturligtvis frustrerande att se de många oplanerade stopp och starter; och ett tåg som inte gick att stoppa när en del av det spårade ur! Men det var inspirerande att studera de olika scenerierna; alla sektioner byggdes (förmodligen) av olika människor, och så gjordes detta enligt olika standarder; men alla var inspirerande. Det fanns också ett bra urval av handlare där, och vi kunde köpa en äkta vagn av Märklin (och handlaren bytte ut hjulseten för att fungera på ett två-rälssystem, utan extra kostnad). Vi hoppas kunna besöka detta evenemang igen under kommande år.
We have acquired a Pocher carriage type C3b. Despite the age of the model (it dates from 1958), it is very authentic and well detailed. The only production fault is that it is printed as a C3c (identical carriages except that the C3c had a toilet, but number 1449 was a C3b, and the model’s interior does not include the toilet)! It has no couplings (or box), hence the good price that we paid for it, but both matters will be put right in due course.
C3b 1449, a model by Pocher, in need of a bit of TLC!
September 30th marked the fifth anniversary of the last train to run on the FLMJ, our Swedish H0-scale model railway in the garden around a Park Home in England. It had been our hope that we would mark this fifth anniversary with a ‘first train’ on a new layout; but whilst that is not now possible (the opportunity has passed), we do at least have some good, positive news of the way forward. A new railway is to be built in the basement under a house in southern Sweden, as agreed with the home owners there. It will carry the spirit of the former FLMJ, and use as much of the rolling stock and scenic materials therefrom as possible; but it will be indoors. Whilst it is possible to retain the FLMJ name (by virtue of having three principal stations), it has been decided that because the new layout would be so very different, a new name would be better. The new name will be divulged once we have privately sounded out all possible variations, so that by the time it appears here, it can hopefully be absolute! It is too early to write about a new railway in any detail, but here’s a taster. The basement is made up of 4 rooms, arranged 2+2. One room is suitable for a good-sized diorama, so this would take the place of the FLMJ’s Lövhöjden, our main town and main railway ‘centre.’ A room next to it also serves as the laundry-room, but with ample space alongside the outer walls, a more remote diorama is likely here. The third room has an obstacle in the form of an inward opening door (outward opening doors from basements are not a good idea if there’s snow on the ground), and ideas for this room are still a bit vague. The fourth room, which includes the stairs from the house, could provide opportunity for a narrow gauge section! We had wanted a narrow gauge line to support the FLMJ, but doing this in the garden was unwise. Sweden has had many narrow gauge railways, and some of the railways from two of the gauges (891mm & 1067mm) were absorbed by SJ; so they’re significant. Taster over; maybe more, next month!
This basement room will easily afford space for a 4,5 x 2,2m baseboard (just under 14′ by 7′ in English imperial)!
Manufacturer News
During conversation, it was understood that Jeco’s proposed T23 diesel locomotive could be available in the next couple of months (maybe in time for Hjulmarknaden?), and that the new Rc-series should then be soon after. We didn’t ask about the railbus trailers!
Other News
At relatively short notice, we mentioned the Höglandståg event on our website ‘forthcoming events’; having originally overlooked it, yet it is close to where our new railway will be. Primarily this was an exhibition of digital modular railways; two layouts, one in each of the two rooms in use; one H0-scale, the other N. Operationally, this was of no interest to us (being DCC), and it was naturally frustrating to see the many unscheduled stops and starts; and a train that couldn’t be stopped when part of it had derailed! But it was inspiring to study the different scenic efforts; all the sections were presumably built by different people, and so this was done to different standards; but all of them inspiring. There was also a good selection of traders there, and we were able to buy an authentic wagon by Märklin and have the wheel-sets changed to work on a two-rail system, without extra charge. We hope to visit this event again in subsequent years.
X11 3113, very similar to the X10, seen at Nässjö.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; J: U3A Presentations
The University of the Third Age is an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community—those in their third ‘age’ of life. There is no universally accepted model for the U3A. It was founded in 1973 by Pierre Vellas in France. One of the FLMJ’s Friends is an active member/student of the U3A, and the Railway’s Director General was invited on more than one occasion to give a presentation to the local group. The FLMJ was the subject of one, and the Y6 generation of railbuses was another (there were others of a Swedish classical musical theme); and these presentations were very well received. These presentations would be supported by so-called PowerPoint displays, and they remain on file to this day. Initially, it seemed a little surreal that we should be giving a talk about a Swedish model railway to a group of people who were (probably) not railway modellers. But, the reality was that the interest was in the creativity that went into the railway, its construction, maintenance and operation. And because the FLMJ was in every respect a railway, (albeit too small to carry passengers,) rather than a train-set, its appeal was universal among people with a creative mindset. Above, we mentioned music; and this too, is a creative hobby, especially the process of playing the music (not so much just listening to something that has been pre-recorded). It should come as no surprise that having the creative mindset that was suitable for what we had with the FLMJ should also lend itself to musical creativity, and to be able to talk at other U3A meetings on that subject. And many well known professional musicians have declared their railway modelling interests to the public. Only a few years ago, Sir Rod Stewart’s American–themed diorama was featured in the railway modelling press; and what he had created is incredible by any standards. But, being creative is a very individual thing. If one person builds a railway, and another builds the trains, both are creative, neither are lacking creativity because ‘the other’ has created what they didn’t. At the U3A presentation, we were pleased to announce that we ran mostly ready-to-run models, and built kits from the boxes. By taking advantage of these possible “short cuts”, we were able to use OUR creativity in the many other aspects of the FLMJ. And that was the message we delivered.
