Det har inte varit någon aktivitet på våra modeller under november.
Förståeligt nog kommer det inga RTJ-nyheter på några månader ännu. Källaren där RTJ kommer att byggas ansågs vid besiktning vara fuktig. Innan vi påbörjade någon grävning runt huset utanför (för att förbättra isoleringen) bestämde vi oss för att undersöka möjligheten att bristen på uppvärmning i kombination med en öppen golvbrunn kunde ha bidragit till detta. Vi har kunnat använda en kraftfull avfuktare, och redan resultatet är mest uppmuntrande: den har använts i två rum och väggarna där är nu torra. Uppvärmning kommer att tillhandahållas härnäst (en luftpump måste vänta tills det finns mer “investeringsresurs” (pengar) tillgängliga), och vi är försiktigt säkra på att starta järnvägen under våren, nästa år.
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Dekas ska producera fler versioner av sin framgångsrika svenska Hbis-vagn och några nya Ge/Gs-vagnar, några av de senare i ASG-färg.
Roco har annonserat en annan version av deras Dm3 lok; artikelnummer 7500006 är i tidigare skick (nummerserier 834-845, 942-957, 968-986, inte 1201-1250), men fotot är ett montage och de faktiska löpande numren är inte kända. Det finns även AC- och DCC-versioner med olika artikelnummer.
Andra intressanta nyheter
Den årliga Hjulmarknaden ägde rum på Solna i slutet av november, en vecka tidigare än den vanliga ”lördagen samma helg som första söndagen i advent”. På grund av förvirringen om datumet (som också hade citerats fel ett tag) ställdes långdistansbesökare (våra vänner och andra från Storbritannien, till exempel) upp och deltog inte.
Ändå kunde vi köpa en modellbil. En ganska speciell sådan, och modellen byggdes från grunden (så den är lite sällsynt och var inte billig, men inte för dyr heller). Det är en Kalmar Tjorven 441-C; ett fordon som används av Posten. De hade ett Daf-44-chassi och tillverkades i början av 1970-talet, men togs ur drift under 1976.
SJ har stängt alla biljettkontor och tagit bort alla biljettautomater. Detta betyder inte att resan är gratis; passagerare måste köpa online via hemsidan eller deras app. Vissa användares erfarenhet är att varken webbplatsen eller appen är särskilt effektiva; och det har i vissa fall visat sig omöjligt att köpa biljetter. “Chatbot” och kundtjänst är lika ohjälpsamma. Vi känner till minst två andra biljettleverantörer, och om våra undersökningar är framgångsrika kommer vi att länka till dem.
There has been no activity on our models during November.
Understandably, there will be no RTJ news for a few months, yet. The basement where the RTJ will be built was considered, at inspection, to be damp. Before commencing any digging around the house outside (in order to improve the insulation), we decided to investigate the possibility that the lack of heating, coupled with an open floor drain, could have contributed to this. We have been able to use a powerful dehumidifier, and already the results are most encouraging: it has been used in two rooms and the walls there are now dry. Heating will be provided next (an air pump will have to wait until there is more ‘investment resource’ (money) available), and we are cautiously confident of starting the Railway during the Spring, next year.
Manufacturer News
Dekas is to produce more versions of their successful Swedish ‘Hbis‘ wagon, and some new ‘Ge‘/’Gs‘ wagons, some of the latter in ASG livery.
Roco has announced a different version of their Dm3 loco; article number 7500006 is in the earlier condition (number series 834-845, 942-957, 968-986, not 1201-1250), but the photo is a montage and the actual running numbers are not known. There are also AC and DCC versions with different article numbers.
Other News
The annual Hjulmarknaden (“wheel fayre”) took place at Solna at the end of November, one week earlier than the usual “Saturday of the same weekend as the first Sunday in Advent” (first Sunday is four weeks before Christmas (not essentially the first in December), thus 27th November to 3rd December). Due to the confusion about the date (which had also been misquoted for a while), longer distance visitors (our friends and others from the UK, for example) were put off and didn’t attend.
Nevertheless, we were able to buy a model car. A rather special one, and the model was built from scratch (so it’s a bit rare, and wasn’t cheap, but not over-priced, either). It’s a Kalmar Tjorven 441-C; a vehicle used by the Swedish Post Service, with right-side drive so that the driver can put the mail into the roadside mailboxes without having to leave the vehicle. They had a Daf-44 chassis, and were produced in the early 1970s, but were taken out of service during 1976.
Scratch-built model of the Kalmar Tjorven postal vehicle.
SJ has closed all ticket offices and removed all ticket machines. This doesn’t mean that travel is free; passengers must buy online via the website or their app. Experience by some users is that neither the website nor the app are particularly efficient or effective; and it has in some instances proven impossible to buy tickets. The ‘chatbot’ and customer service are equally unhelpful. We know of at least two ‘third party’ ticket providers, and if our investigations are successful, then we’ll link to them.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; L: That ‘other’ online channel
During the many years in the UK, the FLMJ had a ‘slight’ presence on YouTube; but this was more personal for the Director General who also posted videos from other railway activities, mainly do with railways in 7¼” gauge! In nearly all cases, the uploaded videos were ‘point and shoot’ with no editing. There was a pause function on one of the smartphones, but it was not reliable. Using time off (from having a layout to work on), some video editing resources have been looked at and played with. We think it would be nice if we can present a 5-10 minutes quarterly update video on progress with the new railway, but we have many obstacles to overcome. If we are able to do this, then we will advise, here!
Seemingly consigned to history is the involvement with 7¼” gauge railways. They are very rare here in Sweden, and none have authentic operation or signalling, something that Adrian had been accustomed to in the UK. But our ‘channel’ can still include other videos of more relevant interest!
Starting Next Month: We are going to say more about the new railway during next year’s “Behind the Scenes” in our monthly updates.
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!
A lucky opportunity saw the purchase of a copy of the model that we have used at Lövhöjden station, Heljan’s model of Åmål station building. It is a good representation and very typically Swedish, but our model was very weather-beaten, and we had wanted to replace it for some time. Done!
The paved area, grass, trees, and more gave the entrance to Lövhöjden station building a nice atmosphere.
We have also used our spare time without a railway for research, and will clarify an irritation with certain wagons. We purchased a ‘Kbps’ last year, thinking it was the ‘missing one’, but in fact we had recorded one with a completely wrong number onto our database with the correct number as it should have been, with the intention that we would correct it later on. So, the duplicate will either be sold or renumbered completely. NMJ’s ‘Kbps’ wagons have either 335 or 370 as the fifth to seventh digits. 370 is completely wrong, it applies to the ‘Os’ wagon. Interestingly, the latest wagon has the usual incorrect UIC control check digit, but it would have been correct if NMJ had printed 335 instead of 370; so arguably it has the correct control digit, just a wrong wagon type number! Our duplicate wagon is article 602.107, but the one that we need is 602.106, which the advertising suggests also has the incorrect 370! It does seem a shame that after all the effort that NMJ went to, to produce these wagons, they failed at the last hurdle, in not getting the number right! (We have made a list of 24 of our wagons with incorrect control digits, and 15 of them — yes, more than half — are NMJ!)
The Kbis from NMJ comes in two slightly different versions, shewn here!
Manufacturer News
HNoll is increasingly frustrated with the Chinese production lines. It seems now that the A7/B7 carriages will not be produced before the Chinese New Year, and with the delivery schedules as they are, we may not see them this side of midsummer! As for the B4/BF4, photos of a prototype model have circulated on social media, but it would be foolish to make any estimates for a date to arrive into the shops! We certainly appreciate HNoll keeping us informed; we have quite a few on order, not just for the FLMJ, but for friends, also!
This is the time of year when there is a bit of a frenzy of announcements of newly proposed models. Here are the ones that we know about — obviously many of these new items are too modern for the FLMJ, but we thought maybe some of our readers would like to know about them!
An Rc4 in SJ blue with Green Cargo branding is proposed from Roco (a revised livery on a standard product).
A black liveried Rc6 is proposed from Märklin/Trix as a completely new model, digital, metal, and even gets heated mirrors!
The BR 185.2 is to come from two manufacturers, but different in detail. From Piko, it will be DB-AG red livery but branded for “Green Cargo”; and from Roco it will be in Green Cargo’s green livery (the 185.2 is the same as the ‘Re’, a TRAXX loco).
The Hector Rail G6 diesel loco (a very modern looking V5, in essence) is to be produced by Piko. As with many modern diesels, it is a standard European design, so it is easier (and cheaper) for the model manufacturer to produce than before.
A replacement motor for the NMJ Y1 and YF1 has been announced, using the Faulhaber 1624 with specially made flywheel, and a new engine mount from Winterzone. Construction description in Swedish is included. We are unsure of the producer of this ‘kit’ but hope to know more, soon.
Sadly, in order to give Märklin’s black Rc6 a train to pull, Märklin is also releasing a set of four black carriages of their standard 1960s designs, which is totally inauthentic as these carriages were withdrawn before the black livery was introduced!
The ‘DV30’ by Märklin is back in Epoch-IV condition. (If, unlike the previous one, it comes in a box that will accommodate a close-coupling head, then one could be procured for the FLMJ!)
The ‘Eaos’ wagon will also be produced by Märklin/Trix, in a set of three with a scrap load.
The ‘Sdggmrs’ articulated container wagon is to be released by Roco, labelled for DB-AG, but carrying two “Bode Spedition” containers.
A set comprising two ‘Zacns’ bogie tank wagons in “Pure Performance” (Green Cargo) livery is proposed from Roco.
Brawa does not produce Swedish models, but they are to produce the VTG Gigawood XXL, a non-Swedish timber wagon that is used by Hector Rail in Sweden, today. But it is not due until 2023.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series about the FLMJ, 2: Lövhöjden, Månstorp and Ålunden
Lövhöjden, representing the central area of Sweden, was naturally the centre point on the Railway. (At least it would have been, once the projection to Fjällnäs had been completed!) But it was designed to be a major station with several passing loops and three platforms, two of which were later split into halves by a crossover in the track. The control panel was designed so that the local controller could control the whole railway (well, maybe not the industrial sidings). Lövhöjden also had the most developed scenery, as much as we could manage given the weather damage (and cat damage)! Naturally, Lövhöjden became the most photographed location, and in the final days, the most was made of this. Even with forthcoming closure confirmed, development continued until the very last day.
A general view of Lövhöjden from 2011.
The main road through Lövhöjden, with grass embankments, pavements, trees; scenic details that the railway needed.
Månstorp, representing the southern area of Sweden, needed a more modern look, and the buildings could be more European in style. Unfortunately, it became very modern in respect of being truncated, losing passing loops and becoming just the essential layout for passing trains. This had become necessary due to the vulnerable location of the station; at the front of the garden, near the gate, where things could be ‘uplifted’ by unwholesome people! Nevertheless, we made the most of what little we could have here. The track sections were switched from Lövhöjden, and a CCTV overlooked the area. The crossover points here were the first to be remotely controlled. An almost amusing fact here is that the model cars on this area of the layout were of the ‘toy’ Eko brand; no great loss.
A nice model of Diö station building at Månstorp; but the road vehicles were vulnerable, so were of the lowest standard!
The modern black Rc-loco and train clash with the heritage railbus. This loco was probably the shortest-owned model on the FLMJ!
Ålunden was our shadow station. This was the encouraged location for placing models on the track and removing them. It gave the railway a sense of purpose; the trains arrived onto the FLMJ through a tunnel (hole in the wall) from anywhere on the SJ network. Ålunden therefore, determined the length of the trains, and the tracks would accommodate seven carriage trains (so they were seldom used to capacity). One track was set aside (by virtue of a point midway, and then a long curved section) for extra long goods trains. As a secondary line; longer passenger trains would be out of place.
Both Rc2 locos, an Ma and a Da, line up at Ålunden, ready for their next duties.
The shelf above the control panel stored empty stock boxes by day, and the model buildings by night!
Next month, we’ll look at the Siljansbanan and the areas that it served.
Ett lyckosamt tillfälle var att köpa ett exemplar av modellen som vi har använt på Lövhöjdens station, Heljans modell av Åmåls stationshus. Det är en bra representation och väldigt typiskt svenskt, men vår modell var väldigt väderbiten, och vi hade velat byta ut den ett tag. Gjort!
Vi har även använt vår fritid utan järnväg för forskning och ska reda ut ett problem med några vagnar. Vår nyaste “Kbps”-vagn är faktiskt en kopia av en som vi redan har! Numret är fel och vi har antecknat rätt nummer, med avsikt att ändra det som står på modellen. Så den här vagnen kommer antingen att säljas eller numreras om helt. NMJ:s “Kbps”-vagnar har antingen 335 eller 370 som femte till sjunde siffran. 370 är helt fel, det gäller ’Os’-vagnen. Faktum är att den senaste vagnen har den vanliga felaktiga kontrollsiffran för UIC-kontroll, men det hade varit korrekt om NMJ hade skrivit ut 335 istället för 370; så man kan hävda att den har rätt kontrollsiffra, bara fel vagnstypnummer! Vår dubblettvagn är artikel 602.107, men den vi behöver är 602.106, som reklam antyder också har den felaktiga 370! Det verkar synd att efter alla ansträngningar som NMJ gick till, för att producera dessa vagnar, misslyckades de vid det sista hindret, med att inte få rätt antal! (Vi har gjort en lista över 24 av våra vagnar med felaktiga kontrollsiffror, och 15 av dem – ja, mer än hälften – är gjorda av NMJ!)
Tillverkarens Nyheter
HNoll blir allt mer frustrerad över de kinesiska produktionslinjerna. Det verkar nu som att A7/B7-vagnarna inte kommer att tillverkas före midsommar! Vi uppskattar verkligen att HNoll håller oss informerade; vi har en hel del på beställning, inte bara för FLMJ, utan även för vänner!
Det här är tiden på året då många nya modeller tillkännages av tillverkarna; här är en sammanfattning, än så länge (de flesta är för moderna för FLMJ, men DU kanske skulle vilja veta ändå)…
¨ En Rc4 i SJ-blått med Green Cargo-märke föreslås från Roco (en reviderad färg på en standardprodukt).
¨ En Rc6 i svart föreslås från Märklin/Trix som en helt ny modell, digital, metall, och får äntligen uppvärmda speglar!
¨ En BR 185.2 ska komma från två tillverkare, men olika i detalj. Från Piko blir det DB-AG rött liv men märkt för “Green Cargo”; och från Roco kommer den att vara i Green Cargos gröna färg.
¨ Dieselloket Hector Rail G6 ska tillverkas av Piko. Som med många moderna dieslar är det en europeisk standarddesign, så det är lättare (och billigare) för modelltillverkaren att tillverka än tidigare.
¨ En ersättningsmotor för NMJ Y1 och YF1 har tillkännagivits, med Faulhaber 1624 med specialtillverkat svänghjul, och ett nytt motorfäste från Winterzone. Byggbeskrivning på svenska ingår. Vi är osäkra på tillverkaren av detta “kit” men hoppas att få veta mer snart.
¨ Tyvärr, för att ge Märklins svarta Rc6 ett tåg att dra, producera Märklin också en uppsättning av fyra svarta vagnar av deras standarddesign från 1960-talet, vilket är totalt oäkta eftersom dessa vagnar skrotades innan det svarta livret introducerades!
¨ ‘DV30’ av Märklin är tillbaka i Epoch-IV-skick.
¨ Även ‘Eaos’-vagnen kommer att tillverkas av Märklin/Trix, i ett set om tre, var och en lastad med skrot.
¨ ‘Sdggmrs’ ledade containervagn ska släppas av Roco, märkt för DB-AG, men med två “Bode Spedition”-containrar.
¨ Ett set bestående av två ‘Zacns’ boggivagnar i “Pure Performance” (Green Cargo)-liveri föreslås från Roco
¨ Brawa tillverkar inga svenska modeller, utan de ska tillverka VTG Gigawood XXL, en utländsk timmervagn som idag används av Hector Rail i Sverige. Men det kommer inte förrän 2023.
We were fortunate to acquire two Roco ballast wagons in a plain grey livery. They are the same specification as the yellow ones, but not as brightly coloured! Unfortunately, one of them has a number duplicating one of the decaled duplicates! However, we have been able to order new decals from a supplier here in Sweden, so we hope to be able to supply them before too long. At the same time, the supplier has agreed to make up some decals for our ‘freelance’ Z69 so that it can carry an authentic number quite neatly. A future order will be to replace the painted numbers that were to relabel the duplicate carriages (B7 5501, WL2 4477, and others); and even later transfers to renumber the many wagons that have incorrect UIC control digits! Check on our links page for Byggsvenskt.nu if you would also like to renumber your Swedish models (and see all the other things that are available here — this is, for example, where we got our X10 chassis from)!
Grey ‘Qbd’ wagons, exactly like the bright yellow ones in all other respects.
Roco’s Z66 000; to become Z69 659.
Manufacturer News
SVLV (Skultorps Vagn & Lokverkstad) has produced a new motorised chassis for the Perl/UGJ Y6 railbuses. The motor is of the Faulhabertyp with flywheel and can be suited to Analogue or digital. It costs SEK 1 990 — 2 380 according to version. (Divide by 11 to get vague GBP amount!)
The Minichamps cars that were advertised for December 2021 are now shewing December 2022. There is no change to the other dates; Volvo 240 models are expected in January and Saab 900 models in February. The screenshots were taken December 29th.
The motorised chassis from SVLV for the Y6 series railbuses; models from Perl and UGJ.
Volvo 240GL Sedan and Estate models, expected from Minichamps 1.2022.
Saab 900 Cabriolet and Coupé models, expected from Minichamps 2.2022.
Other News
Enthusiasts of the Swedish railways, in the UK seem to be in for some good news. In a social media post from the Wansford MPD (at the Nene Valley Railway), they confirm that one of the next two locos in for overhaul will be the Swedish B class number 101, which presently stands as a static exhibit at Wansford station. (An earlier news article from another source said that the Swedish S class number 1178 was to be restored. From our own investigation, 1178 is in much poorer condition and its restoration is likely to be cosmetic only. But it doesn’t have to end there; 101 has been the subject of cosmetic restoration, and now it’s moving on from there…!) 101 started life as SWB A2 101. It was manufactured by Nydqvist & Holm AB – Bofors-Nohab AB, Trollhättan, Sweden in 1944; Manufacturing number 2082. In 1945 it became SJ B 1697. This explains why the number plates on the cab sides declare that 101 is a class A. It was always painted black in Swedish service, but the British public like a bit more colour, so several of the NVR’s continental locos are painted inauthentically; 101 is a light blue!
SWB A2 101, aka SJ B 1697; but conveniently referred to as SJ B 101; at the Nene Valley Railway [media photo].
Various pages on this website have been updated; can you find them all?
Behind the Scenes
Over the next twelve updates/months, we are going to run a small series of articles; too small to really take up space on the other pages of this website; about what the FLMJ was really about. We’ll look at a number of topics that made the FLMJ what it was, starting now, with a look at the absolute basic representation.
Mini-Series about the FLMJ, 1: The Diorama
Although the FLMJ replaced the KRBJ, the name is irrelevant with regards to the development of the garden railway. Over the entire 30 year history in the UK, improvements and refinements were continual until what we can now consider the final phase of the UK based set-up, with which we were very happy. We started with only a vague idea, which had many limitations. A simpler layout comprising a figure-of-eight inside a circuit was akin to a train set, which is not what we wanted. With the delivery of a new Park Home, we had to start all over again; and the plan for an end-to-end layout with a subtle branch line to make a circuit turned out to be the answer. It went through a few changes in terms of track layouts, but the final arrangement was absolutely ideal.
The route started from Ålunden, our fiddle yard (or ‘shadow station’ in Swedish terminology) in the shed. The main line then went around three sides of the home, before turning 180° the other way to go along the back perimeter to a final 90° turn to the terminus. The subtle branch line completed the circuit around the home. The home had been given the name, “Siljan”, so the line closing the circuit became the “Siljansbanan”.
The names were chosen to reflect the north (Fjällnäs), central (Lövhöjden) and south (Månstorp) areas of Sweden; with the great idea that the scenery would reflect those areas (all trains would work over the entire railway). However, the scenery had to be compromised in the outdoor environment; which was always a disappointment. Other names crept in. We needed a name for a halt between central and north, so Gärde was chosen. A town nearby would be called ‘Gärdestad’, which also happened to be the name of a favourite musician, who sadly passed away at the time that the name was chosen, so we have kept it ever since. Toraberg, also marking a bereavement, was the name of the house built by a friend in Sweden. But Kopparberg and Arjeplog were chosen in respect of a Harry Potter connection; deliberately subtle because not everyone would appreciate that character or creation. (In the ‘supporting book’, “Quidditch through the Ages”, reference is made to the Annual Broom Race of Sweden, which dates from the 10th Century, and goes from Kopparberg to Arjeplog. It is said that the race passes over a dragon enclosure, but we didn’t need to model that because non-magical people cannot see it!)
In the final years of the operational FLMJ, we had a track plan that worked well. There was consistency with the train services and formations; and timings. Authentically, most (passenger) trains operated to a two hourly timetable, and the goods trains worked around them. But the timetable was so well written that there were brief periods of absolute inactivity; at exactly the right times for Fika and Lunch breaks! Furthermore, it was possible to operate the basic timetable by one person, or by a group of people operating an ‘enhanced service’. The feel-good factor was very strong.
Next month we will consider the three primary locations, Lövhöjden, Månstorp and Ålunden.
Vi hade turen att få två Roco ballastvagnar i en vanlig grå färg. De har samma specifikation som de gula, men inte lika starkt färgade! Tyvärr har en av dem ett nummer som duplicerar en av de dekalerade dubbletterna! Vi har dock kunnat beställa nya dekaler från en leverantör här i Sverige, så vi hoppas kunna leverera dem innan alltför lång tid. Samtidigt har leverantören gått med på att göra upp några dekaler för vår ‘frilansande’ Z69 så att den kan bära ett autentiskt nummer ganska snyggt. En framtida order kommer att vara att ersätta de målade numren som skulle ommärka de dubbla vagnarna (B7 5501, WL2 4477 och andra); och även senare överföringar för att omnumrera de många vagnarna som har felaktiga UIC-kontrollsiffror! Kolla på vår länksida för Byggsvenskt.nu om du också skulle vilja numrera om dina svenska modeller (och se allt annat som finns här — det är till exempel här vi har fått vårt X10-chassi ifrån)!
Tillverkarens Nyheter
SVLV (Skultorps Vagn & Lokverkstad) har tagit fram ett nytt motoriserat chassi till Perl/UGJ Y6 rälsbussarna. Motorn är av Faulhabertyp med svänghjul och kan anpassas till analog eller digital. Den kostar 1 990 — 2 380 kr beroende på version.
Minichamps-bilarna som annonserades för december 2021 visas nu december 2022. Det är ingen förändring av de andra datumen; Volvo 240-modeller väntas i januari och Saab 900-modeller i februari. Skärmbilderna (i de engelska nyheterna) togs den 29 december.
Andra nyheter
Entusiaster av den svenska järnvägen, i Storbritannien verkar få goda nyheter. I ett inlägg på sociala medier från Wansford MPD (vid Nene Valley Railway) bekräftar de att ett av de två kommande loken för översyn kommer att vara den svenska B-klassen nummer 101, som för närvarande står som en statisk utställning på Wansford station. (En tidigare nyhetsartikel från en annan källa sa att den svenska S-klassen nummer 1178 skulle återställas. Enligt vår egen undersökning är 1178 i mycket sämre skick och dess restaurering kommer sannolikt endast att vara kosmetisk. Men det behöver inte ta slut där, 101 har varit föremål för kosmetisk restaurering, och nu går det vidare därifrån…!) 101 började sitt liv som SWB A2 101. Den tillverkades av Nydqvist & Holm AB – Bofors-Nohab AB, Trollhättan, Sverige 1944; Tillverkningsnummer 2082. 1945 blev det SJ B 1697. Detta förklarar varför nummerskyltarna på hyttens sidor deklarerar att 101 är en klass A. Den målades alltid svart i svensk tjänst, men den brittiska allmänheten gillar lite mer färg, så flera av NVR:s kontinentala lok är oäkta målade; 101 är en ljusblå!
Vi har startat en miniserie om originalet FLMJ i England. Tyvärr är detta för mycket för oss att översätta här. All framtida järnvägsverksamhet kommer givetvis att vara tvåspråkig; kanske också en bok om järnvägen, om vi kan hitta ett lämpligt förlag som kan övervaka översättningarna.
