Det finns inga nyheter från oss denna månad. Vi har forskat lite kring de malmvagnar som används i norr, men vi har just nu fler frågor än svar, så en sammanfattning här får vänta!
Tillverkarens Nyheter:
PCX87-modellen av Volvo 164 har kommit till butikerna nu, en mycket fin modell av den tidigaste versionen från slutet av 1960-talet. Som vanligt finns den i fyra färger, och vi räknar med att detta blir ytterligare en begränsad upplaga. I vår engelska utgåva beskriver vi en reparation som var nödvändig på en av modellerna som inte hade monterats ordentligt.
Andra intressanta nyheter:
Det finns några goda nyheter från Nene Valley Railway i England. De har sagt att UBF6Z släpvagnen 1987 var kopplad till Y7 vid Overton och efter en lyckad parning sprang de två upp till Wansford och kördes från släpvagnen. Några småjobb behövs för att bli klara och parningen av två vagnar bör börja användas strax efter påsk!
No news from us directly this month. We have been conducting some research into the Iron Ore wagons that are used up in the north, but we currently have more questions than answers, so a summary here will have to wait!
Manufacturer News
The PCX87 model of the Volvo 164 has arrived into shops now, a very nice model of the earliest version from the late 1960s. As usual, it is available in four colours, and we expect this to be another limited edition.
Observation regarding the PCX87 Volvo 164!
Once the Volvo flagship, we justified ordering one of each of the four colours offered with this model. However, our maroon one was faulty.
This newly delivered PCX87 Volvo 164 had a ‘dropped’ glazing unit!
The chassis and seats for the PCX87 Volvo 164; note the large tabs/studs at front and rear.
Note the slots for the grille and bumper; the tabs will hold the model together!
A beautiful model of a beautiful car!
Look at the first photo, and especially at the windscreen; it seems to have slipped. We decided to investigate this here (our other three were fine). Should you have a need to take apart one of these models, observe these notes. As with many model cars in this scale, you start by gently prising out the bumpers. Then you should be able to prise the body off the chassis. Not quite; with this one, you also need to prise out the chrome grille, which is not a flat moulding, it sits in a recess and need to be pushed from inside. Of course this is not easy with the chassis in place, but certain very fine modelling tools will be useful. There are pins on the chassis which are a snug fit into sockets on the body, so the whole assembly needs to be gently prised apart. Once apart, the window unit (one piece moulding for all windows) was pushed up into place and we found that it was a snap fit, suggesting that it had not been properly assembled, not that it had come loose in transit. Before, reassembling, we filed down the tab on the back of the grille so that the chassis is less dependent on it, but the grille seems to be a good enough fit to not need a drop of glue. Bumpers are of course a snug fit, and it is important to note which way up the rear one goes – it’s quite obvious at the front. Finally, at all stages, remember to take great care handling the model, the door-mirrors are very vulnerable!
Other News
A Social Media post from the Nene Valley Railway on Sunday 20th March, read, “Swedish railcar ran well in service today. Friday saw the trailer car connected at Overton and after a successful pairing the two ran up to Wansford being driven from the trailer car. A few little jobs to finish and the two car pairing should enter service just after Easter!” This is certainly good news and will be a pleasant train to see and travel in.
If you are looking for a good time to visit Sweden, consider this event… Since the Swedish Transport Administration is installing the new ERTMS signalling system on the Iron Ore Railway, up in the north, they wanted to run actual ore trains with the Railway Museum’s locomotives one last time. (Heritage locos are not fitted with the new signalling interfaces!) They also want to celebrate the 120-year anniversary of the northern section of the ore line, and to coincide with the Kiruna Festival.
Kiruna Festival, Thursday 30 June – Saturday 2 July
Scheduled events in Kiruna:
Exhibit of historic and modern locomotives at Kiruna Station on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Steam locomotive R 976 from 1909, electric locomotive Dm3 1246-1247-1248 “Oskar” from 1970 and Rc1 1007 from 1967. Exact times for the locomotive exhibits to be announced this spring.
Short daytime tours by steam train for the public in Kiruna on all three days. Tentative pick-up and drop-off at Kiruna Station, free of charge, no pre-booking – just show up and come on board.
A lunch train on all three days, round trip from Kiruna to Abisko pulled by electric locomotive Da 888 from 1955, which used to serve the Iron Ore Line. This needs to be pre-booked.
Historic ore trains, night towards Sunday 3 July
During the lightest hours of the midnight sun, two historic ore trains will run along the Kiruna–Vassijaure route. They are running these trains at night because trackwork is taking place in the morning on the northern part of the Iron Ore Line, and because traffic is minimal this late at night.
Ore train with steam locomotive R 976. This steam locomotive was built to pull the ore trains on the most demanding section, from Abisko Östra to Riksgränsen at the Norwegian border, so these locomotives became the most robust ever built for Swedish train service. The planned wagon weight is 1,400 tonnes – exactly what the R locomotives are built to pull.
Ore train with electric locomotive Dm3 1246-1248-1248. This is the classic electric locomotive type that operated on the Iron Ore Line up to 2013, and in its time was one of Europe’s strongest electric locomotives with close to 10,000 horsepower. The Dm3 is built to pull a wagon weight of 5,200 tonnes. Loaded ore wagons from LKAB will be pulled behind it.
After both ore trains arrive in Vassijaure, all loaded wagons will be switched to one train and pulled by LKAB to Narvik (R 976 and Dm3) will carry ore that will actually be transported to Narvik.
Experiencing the magic of these trains doesn’t cost you a thing – all you need to do is get yourself out into nature in the middle of the night. Please keep in mind that because these are museum locomotives, they might not perform as intended. But the Railway Museum will do everything in its power to make it work out.
Here are some photo tips:
On the afternoon of Monday 27 June, Rc1 1007 will pull a train along the same route with all their passenger carriages and staff. The train will arrive in Kiruna on Tuesday afternoon.
Late Saturday night on 2 July, Rc1 1007 will pull a freight train from Kiruna to Abisko Östra.
During the week of 23 May, Dm3 will slowly pull a decoupled (cold) R 976 at 40 km/hr from Gävle to Kiruna. The trip will take about 2-3 days.
On Monday evening, 4 July, the Rc1 will pull a train from Abisko Östra down to Gävle with all passenger carriages and staff who will arrive in Gävle on Tuesday evening.
On Tuesday, 5 July, Dm3 will bring a decoupled, cold R 976 to Gävle. This train will also operate at 40 km/hr and reach Gävle in 2-3 days.
Note that these trains are for display only and will not carry passengers.
More details at: https://www.jarnvagsmuseet.se/en/trains-trips/current-programme
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series about the FLMJ, 4: Gärde and Fjällnäs
On its way northwards from Lövhöjden, the Railway would pass Gärde. This mid-way halt would be served only by local trains. However, when the railway did reach this station, InterRegio trains often made the extended journey, and on the rare occasion, an InterCity train would also venture this far! The track layout was essentially simple, and the ‘headshunt’ was clearly the start of the line farther north to Fjällnäs. Sadly, the baseboard materials were faulty and needed replacing; but the station never did get rebuilt.
Dm 836+837, the Roco model, is seen at Gärde with an iron ore train of ‘Uad’ wagons
Gärde nearly got more tracks than just those described above. It was considered for the terminus of a narrow gauge tourist railway using H0e 9mm track (600mm in scale terms). However, we decided that this gauge would be too difficult to manage in the outdoor environment, so the plans were abandoned and the entire collection sold off. If a new “FLMJ” is built in Sweden, and there is room for a narrow gauge section, then H0n3 10,5mm track will be selected (representing the 891mm gauge, or ‘three Swedish feet’)!
An ‘Exhibition Circuit’ for narrow gauge trains during SJ-150 in 2006!
Fjällnäs, sadly, only ever existed on paper (or hard-drive)! The name had been used on the final layout before the Park Home was exchanged, but the intended terminus was beyond our reach. Had the circumstances that led to the Railway’s closure not occurred, then it is fair to suggest that the terminus would have been reached now. There was a “2020 Vision” for the Railway, and everything was on time according to the schedule. As a terminus, the ore trains would require the loco running round to take the train to and from Arjeplog, where there was said to be the ore mine! (The wagons would be loaded here, and emptied at Ålunden!) Arjeplog would quite possibly be located in the second shed.
A visiting ‘Ra’ locomotive calls at Fjällnäs station during a rainy open event.
A running commentary of new models is not really what we wanted with this website, even in the current situation. It makes it seem as if we’re collecting trains. We’re not collectors, we’re modellers. So, we are going to steer away from that sort of news, except when there is something extra special to announce. (Also, we try to avoid buying models in November! This is because their annual service is based on the month in which they were delivered, and November has traditionally been a ‘purchase’ month. Once we’re back into the regular schedules, we have a lot of work to do every November! Once the new FLMJ is functional, we will investigate a different schedule.) There are a few items of news that are suitable here, this month, however. First, we have obtained from Byggsvenskt, a new chassis for one of our X10 units, number 3149. This is a heavy and powerful drive system for the model, and it will be perfectly capable of working the four coach train (so X10 3148 will not be powered at all). We actually arranged for three drive-chassis units, the other two for friends of the former FLMJ who also have models of the X10 from UGJ. Secondly, and from the same supplier, we have obtained the decals required for the Yd railbus and both trailers, the UF2 and the UF6. The supplier has also agreed to make especially, some decals for the UGJ F4F baggage carriage which has the wrong number. The only numbers that seem to be available as decals are for the F4F which had the office at the end of the carriage, not the few where the office was in the centre. Guess which version ours is!
The new chassis for our X10(A) 3149; a bit more substantial than the current Tenshodo ‘spud’!
Decals for the Yd railbus and both trailers UF2/UF6.
We’ve also acquired some interesting road vehicles which are worth a mention. Two Volvo Amazons and a PV544 (the last with a caravan) are Wiking models, not Brekina or Praliné/Busch. So they do not duplicate what we already have (in storage), but they give us something to use for a diorama if we can get one built! The buses are really too modern for our epoch; but these are really for a private collection, a sense of nostalgia relating to the last 30 years as a tourist to Stockholm; so although they might appear on the FLMJ from time to time, they are more likely to be used on a separate static diorama! The Checker cab respects the fact that many Swedes import and restore old American cars, and this is a classic!
Two Volvo Amazons and a Volvo PV544 with a vintage caravan; all Wiking models.
Three new Stockholm buses for a private collection, but really a bit modern for the FLMJ!
As iconic in New York as the Austin FX was in London; something for the heritage scenery!
Manufacturer News
HNoll advises that the next passenger carriages (B4) are likely to appear in March-May, depending on shipping options. Some carriage types are completely finished with the supplier and the BC4, WL4, WL6 and R4/R12/S12 are a closed chapter, subject to any remaining stocks with retailers. However, a small series of brown R4s will be manufactured as demand allows, and the RB11 in Blue-X/IC-11 will be supplemented if there are not enough at the release of the A11 and B11.
PCX87 has announced four new versions (colour options) of their Saab 99, but of greater excitement, a new model, the Volvo 164, in 1968 condition; again, in four colours. Many years ago Kniga Modelle made a kit of the 1973 version of this car (of which we have assembled three), so it will be nice to have one (or more) ready made!
Promotional picture for one of the proposed Volvo 164 models from PCX87!
The Kniga Modelle Volvo 164, (two of our three built from kits,) representing a later version.
There is little news regarding Minichamps’ proposed models. Expected during December are the Volvo 480 coupé, 740 estate, and 850 sedan. Their Volvo 240 (sedan and estate) is expected in January and both of the Saab 900 versions in February. But, the Volvo 740 sedan has been put back to September 2022.
Other News
The Modelljärnvägsmässa in Uppsala on November 13th/14th was attended on the Sunday, and took place in just one hall, even though the advertising said, “Fyrishov Hall C & D”. The fact is that the two rather small halls can be opened up to make one larger hall. Upplands MJ had their modular layout there, which incorporated a model of Uppsala station before it was modified. Whilst this is a work in progress, it was certainly inspiring, and it would be interesting to see the progress at next year’s show – they are hoping that it can become an annual event. Being a DCC layout, they seemed to spend a lot of time fiddling with it, trying to get things to work, but not universally; there was plenty of activity and some nice train rakes to admire. In addition to this, there were some train sets for children to play with, and quite a lot of traders – most of whom had stock-loads of Märklin products. It was quite refreshing to find a stall with some other brands! One wagon was purchased, but nothing else!
A model depicting Uppsala – as it was – seen at the event at Uppsala.
Hjulmarknaden in Solna on November 27th was just as big and impressive as it usually is. Cancelled last year due to the pandemic, it was good for this event to be back. This is not a model railway exhibition, and although there was one small H0-scale layout on display and a live steam track, the event was really a gathering of railway model manufacturers, and heritage railway groups. For the FLMJ, this is where we purchased the chassis and decals. Research and reference material was limited to two books and two DVDs. One mishap was a trader who had some locally produced models of the ‘Kalmar Tjorven’ post car, but asked us to come back to see the right person who could accept a non-cash payment, and then suitably distracted, we forgot! Travel to and from the event was with the Uppsala—Stockholm Pendel, but it was disappointing that both outward and homeward journeys were in modern X40 units, not the favoured 1980s carriages topped and tailed with Rc-locomotives! This journey almost didn’t happen because SJ’s App didn’t function properly and an alternative online process was used instead, which actually produced cheaper tickets. So, we’re not complaining about SJ’s App not working; its failure did us a favour!
SJ’s X2000 is to run for many more years yet, with the first having just received a major overhaul and minor facelift; it still has an unimaginative livery, but some sort of effort has been made! It does now have a third level of comfort, the Second Class Calm, where you pay extra to have a so-called “quiet carriage”!
A dark grey cab identifies the refurbished X2000, the camouflage cab is a temporary cover, so we’re told!
Symbol for the Quiet Carriage on X2000 for which a supplement is payable!
En löpande kommentar av nya modeller är inte riktigt vad vi ville med den här webbplatsen, inte ens i den nuvarande situationen. Det får det att verka som om vi samlar tåg. Vi är inte samlare, vi är modellerare. Så vi kommer att undvika den typen av nyheter, förutom när det finns något extra speciellt att meddela.
Det finns dock några nyheter som passar här den här månaden. Först har vi från Byggsvenskt erhållit ett nytt chassi till en av våra X10-enheter, nummer 3149. Detta är ett tungt och kraftfullt drivsystem för modellen, och det kommer att vara perfekt kapabelt att arbeta med fyra vagnståg (så X10 3148 kommer att inte drivas alls). För det andra, och från samma leverantör, har vi fått de dekaler som krävs för Yd railbus och båda släpvagnarna, UF2 och UF6. Leverantören har också gått med på att göra speciellt några dekaler för UGJ F4F-bagagevagnen som har fel nummer. De enda nummer som verkar finnas tillgängliga som dekaler är för F4F som hade kontoret i ena änden av vagnen, inte de få där kontoret låg i mitten. Gissa vilken version vi har!
Vi har också skaffat några intressanta vägfordon. Två Volvo Amazoner och en PV544 (den sista med husvagn) är Wiking-modeller, inte Brekina eller Praliné/Busch. Så de duplicerar inte det vi redan har (i lager), men de ger oss något att använda för ett diorama om vi kan få ett byggt! Bussarna är egentligen för moderna för vår epok; men dessa är verkligen för en privat samling, en känsla av nostalgi kring de senaste 30 åren som turist till Stockholm; så även om de kan dyka upp på FLMJ då och då, är det mer sannolikt att de kommer att användas på ett separat statiskt diorama! “Checker-cab” respekterar att många svenskar importerar och restaurerar gamla amerikanska bilar, och det här är en klassiker!
Tillverkarens Nyheter:
HNoll meddelar att nästa passagerarvagnar (B4) sannolikt kommer att dyka upp i mars-maj, beroende på fraktalternativ. Vissa vagntyper är nu slutsålda hos leverantören och BC4, WL4, WL6 och R4/R12/S12 är ett avslutat kapitel, med förbehåll för eventuella återstående lager hos återförsäljare. En liten serie bruna R4 kommer dock att tillverkas efter behov, och RB11 i Blue-X/IC-11 kommer att kompletteras om det inte finns tillräckligt med vid releasen av A11 och B11.
PCX87 har annonserat fyra nya versioner (färgalternativ) av sin Saab 99, men av större spänning, en ny modell, Volvo 164, i 1968 års skick; igen, i fyra färger. För många år sedan gjorde Kniga Modelle ett byggsats av 1973 års version av denna bil (varav vi har satt ihop tre), så det ska bli trevligt att ha en (eller flera) färdiggjorda!
Det finns få nyheter om Minichamps föreslagna modeller. Under december väntas Volvo 480 coupé, 740 kombi och 850 sedan. Deras Volvo 240 (sedan och kombi) väntas i januari och båda Saab 900-versionerna i februari. Men Volvo 740 sedan har lagts tillbaka till september 2022.
Andra nyheter:
Modelljärnvägsmässa i Uppsala den 13/14 november besöktes på söndagen och ägde rum i bara en sal, trots att det stod ”Fyrishov Hall C & D” i reklam. Faktum är att de två ganska små salarna kan öppnas upp till en större hall. Där hade Upplands MJ sin moduluppbyggnad som innehöll en modell av Uppsala station innan den modifierades. Även om detta är ett pågående arbete, var det verkligen inspirerande, och det skulle vara intressant att se framstegen vid nästa års evenemang – de hoppas att det kan bli ett årligt evenemang. Eftersom de var en DCC-layout verkade de tillbringa mycket tid med att pilla med det, för att försöka få saker att fungera, men inte allmänt; det var mycket aktivitet och några trevliga tåg att beundra. Utöver detta fanns det några tågset för barn att leka med, och en hel del handlare – varav de flesta hade lagerlass med Märklin-produkter. Det var ganska uppfriskande att hitta ett stall med några andra märken! En vagn köptes, men inget annat!
Hjulmarknaden i Solna den 27 november var precis så stor och imponerande som den brukar vara. Avbröts förra året på grund av pandemin, det var bra för detta evenemang att vara tillbaka. Detta är inte en modelljärnvägsutställning, och även om det visades en liten layout i H0-skala och ett live-ångspår, var evenemanget verkligen en sammankomst av järnvägsmodelltillverkare och historiska järnvägsgrupper. För FLMJ är det här vi köpte chassit och dekalerna. Forskning och referensmaterial begränsades till två böcker och två DVD-skivor. Ett missöde var en handlare som hade några lokalt producerade modeller av postbilen ’Kalmar Tjorven’, men bad oss komma tillbaka för att se rätt person som kunde acceptera en icke-kontant betalning, och sedan lagom distraherad glömde vi! Resan till och från evenemanget skedde med Uppsala—Stockholm Pendel, men det var en besvikelse att både ut- och hemfärder skedde i moderna X40-tåg, inte de gynnade 1980-talsvagnarna toppade och svansade med Rc-lok! Den här resan blev nästan inte av eftersom SJs app inte fungerade som den ska och istället användes en alternativ onlineprocess som faktiskt gav billigare biljetter. Så vi klagar inte på att SJs app inte fungerar; dess misslyckande gjorde oss en tjänst!
