Vi monterade ersättningschipet från MJ-Hobby på vår T23, och efter lite justeringar här och där fick vi loket att fungera som det skulle, med bra kontroll av långsam hastighet. Tyvärr, efter att ha tagit bort huvudkretskortet under vår tidigare undersökning, gick den wafer-tunna bandkabeln till lamporna i B-änden av (ganska odramatiskt) och därför har vi inga lampor i den änden nu. Förhoppningsvis kan Jeco leverera en ersättning (det är en plugin-del). Märkligt nog är chipet märkt LP5, som en av våra vänner identifierade som Loco-Pilot 5, ett DCC-tillbehör; men bortsett från behovet av att köra in verkar loket vara OK på analogt med detta chip.
Dekas Y2K i analog form, har samma problem som T23! En har kommit hit och vi är i dialog med vår leverantör om att få detta problem åtgärdat; förhoppningsvis behöver den bara ett ersättningschip. Som vi förstår det har modellen levererats med ett DCC-chip som även kan fungera på analogt. Vi vet av erfarenhet att detta är hopplöst opålitligt, och ett ordentligt släckchip bör installeras. Dessa chip med dubbla funktioner fungerar inte på PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) strömförsörjningssystem, som fortfarande är populära på analoga layouter – inte våra ännu; men vi skulle vilja ha valet, med tanke på de fördelar som PWM har att erbjuda!
För att finansiera köpet av Y2K bestämde vi oss för att skiljas från ett annat tåg som sällan användes på FLMJ och som är ännu mindre sannolikt att “passa in” på RTJ; de två X10-tågen (komplett med ersättningschassit som köptes ganska nyligen). Köparen är en vän till RTJ så kanske vi fortfarande kommer att se den i fotoformat under åren framöver.
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Under de senaste månaderna har Jeco levererat sina nyare Rc2-versioner, mestadels med ex-ÖBB-belysningsarrangemanget. Man kan bara spekulera i hur snart Rc1 och Rc4 (båda i orange) kommer också.
Precis när vi slutförde den här uppdateringen kom PCX87-modellen av den moderna Volvo V90 till butikerna.
Andra nyheter
Något att tänka på… Efter att X1-tågen introducerades följde X10 efter, och en av förbättringarna var en bättre hytt, starkare för att skydda föraren i händelse av en mindre kollision eller plankorsning. I september körde ett ännu nyare X40-tåg ett traktorsläp på en korsning, och som den publicerade bilden visar fick föraren inte särskilt mycket skydd (föraren hade lämnat sin plats i sista stund och befann sig bakom skottet vid punkten av inverkan). Hytten är gjord av glasfiber eftersom det är ett lätt material att arbeta med för att få tågen att se trendiga ut (något som X40 inte riktigt lyckas med ändå). Men det verkar som att branschen behöver ompröva sina prioriteringar.
We fitted the replacement ‘chip’ provided by MJ-Hobby to our T23, and after some tweaking here and there we got the locomotive to work as it should, with good slow-speed control. Unfortunately, having removed the main circuit board during our earlier investigation, the wafer-thin ribbon cable to the lights at the B-end snapped (quite undramatically) and thus, we have no lights at that end now. Hopefully, Jeco can supply a replacement (it is a plugin part). Curiously, the chip is marked LP5, which one of our Friends identified as Loco-Pilot 5, a DCC accessory; but aside from the need to run-in, the loco does seem to be OK on analogue with this chip.
The Dekas Y2K in analogue form, has the same problem as the T23! One has arrived here and we are in dialogue with our supplier about getting this problem fixed; hopefully it just needs a replacement ‘chip.’ As we understand it, the model has been supplied with a DCC chip that can also work on analogue. We know from experience that this is hopelessly unreliable, and a proper blanking chip should be installed. These dual-function chips do not work on PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) power supply systems, which remain popular on analogue layouts – not ours as yet; but we would like the choice, given the advantages that PWM has to offer!
In order to finance the purchase of the Y2K, we decided to part company with another train which seldom got used on the FLMJ and is even less likely to ‘fit in’ at the RTJ; the two X10 units (complete with the replacement chassis that was purchased quite recently). The purchaser is a Friend of the RTJ so maybe we will still see it in photo format in years to come.
The chip from the T23 (left) and its replacement!T23 lighting circuit board with weak connection.Dekas Y2K, seen after unpacking!X10 3149 at the original Köpingsvik station. [Photo: Adrian Allum.]
Manufacturer News
Over the last few months, Jeco has been delivering their newer Rc2 versions, mostly with the ex-ÖBB lighting arrangement. One can only speculate how soon the Rc1 and Rc4 (both in orange) will also arrive.
Just as we were finalising this update, the PCX87 model of the modern Volvo V90 arrived into the shops. Quite recently, the Minichamps 850 arrived also, both sedan and estate.
PCX87 Volvo V90.Minichamps Volvo 850, seen alongside the Wiking 850 estate – subtle differences in quality.
Other News
Something to think about… After the X1 units were introduced, the X10 followed, and one of the improvements was a better cab, stronger to protect the driver in the event of a minor collision or level crossing strike. In September an even newer X40 unit hit a tractor’s trailer on a crossing, and as the published image shews, the driver didn’t get much protection (the driver had left his seat in the last moment and was behind the bulkhead at the point of impact). The cab is made from fibreglass as it is an easy material to work with to make the trains look trendy (something that the X40 doesn’t quite achieve anyway). But it seems that the industry needs to reconsider its priorities.
X40 after a level-crossing incident! [Media picture]
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series about the new railway; 11: Making it all work
The FLMJ had a simple analogue electrical system, and this is planned for the RTJ and all of the ‘attachments’ to it. Each track section had a two-way, centre-off (DTCO) switch. Switched one way, the track was connected to the local controller; switched the other way, the track was connected to a remote controller (from another station, for example), and there was a rotary switch to select between different remote controllers.
This principle worked well, but it is possible that it can now be made even easier. There were vague thoughts about how the FLMJ’s switching could be made easier, and as we prepare the RTJ, these thoughts can be put into practice. Each section within any location (through tracks and sidings at a station, for example) could have an on-on switch, and the DTCO switch. The first of these would determine if the track is switched to the local controller directly, or to the DTCO switch. The DTCO would then select station throat at one end or at the other end (or off). (If the station throat serves two lines, as a junction for example, then the position of the points would determine which ‘line’ is connected.)
Going to a much more intense level, we have often played with the idea of latching sections with relays (solid-state to keep the cost down). The thought is that a controller is selected by push-button on the track diagram, and a relay latches that section on. Using the polarity in the track, the next section then connects to the same controller, and as the train passes certain predetermined locations, the sections ‘to the rear’ disconnect and become available to the next train. (To some extent, the correct use of signals can assist with track selecting.)
We are also developing a train detection system for analogue, which in its simplest form uses electronic treadles at key locations, but in its more advanced form can use axle counters. (Being analogue, we can use the track polarity to determine the direction of travel!) This can be used in conjunction with signalling and interlocking; but it’s still under development so no more ought to be said at this stage!
In all cases, we are able to keep the control system easy to create and to use. (This is what DCC was supposed to achieve, but in practice we have observed people struggling to make it work and layouts coming to a complete standstill; not exactly conducive to an enjoyable hobby!) The purpose of simple cabling and switching with Analogue is that it is easy to install, easy to trace, easy to fix. It just needs a very basic understanding in natural logic. And each step forward in creating something like this, or modifying it, or repairing it, gives a great sense of satisfaction and achievement that is not available with DCC.
Vi har inga järnvägsuppdateringar denna månad. Vi hade hoppats på att åka med ett arvståg under maj, men detta ställdes in med kort varsel. Bilderna med våra engelska nyheter är från ett besök på öppen dag, där SÅS håller sina tåg vid Hägersten.
Tillverkarens Nyheter
Jeco visar nu en bild på en modell av en Rc4 i Epoch-IV skick för att stödja deras föreslagna release av en sådan modell. (Tidigare var bilden som användes en Rc2.) Vi hoppas kunna köpa en, kanske två!
Ryktena har bekräftats; förutom en 2019 Volvo V60 kommer PCX87 att producera 2019 Volvo V90 i fyra färger, alltså: PCX870384 svart metallic PCX870385 grå metallic PCX870386 silver PCX870387 beige metallic
Minichamps, som har föreslagit inte mindre än två Saab-bilar och sex Volvo-bilar, alla med fyra av varje, och alla passerat deras ursprungligen föreslagna leveransdatum, har nu lagt till en engångsföreteelse till förslagen, en Resin-version av Volvo 240 sedan från 1986. Det kommer att bli billigare än de försenade ABS-modellerna, men om denna levereras eller inte, återstår att se. (Artikel D87171400, för leverans 5.2023!)
Andra intressanta nyheter
På denna webbplats har vi gjort några mindre tillägg till informationen i vår artikel om YCo6 (datebox) järnvägsbussar; inklusive littra av de som åkte till Danmark, hänvisning till att några också åkte till Norge, och att finnarna hade sin egen bredare spårvidd, byggd på licens i Finland.
We hoped to have a report and some photos from a rail-tour that was to happen mid-May, with steam traction for some of the way; but it seems that the TOC didn’t give the infrastructure authority enough time to approve the journey, so it didn’t get approved. A visit was made instead to an open day with another group who planned to run a couple of short return trips with a steam loco the following day (already approved); but we had heard a rumour that Stockholm County had introduced a ban relating to steam trains and other fire risks because the weather was too warm and dry to be safe. So, the plan was to watch the online tracker to see if the first train ran, and if it did, venture out to ride on the second one. In the event, the first one did run but didn’t shew up on the tracker; then there were reports of a lineside fire on the route, which cancelled all trains, including the second trip. As the first one didn’t shew up, we hadn’t ventured out for the second; so we avoided disappointment!
The view from the cab of a class T21 of the rather cramped facilities for SÅS at Hägersten.SWB Third class carriage 138, operated now by SÅS.Inside SÅS’s SWB carriageS1 tank loco 1921 at Hägersten; sister loco 1928 was preserved in England, but its whereabouts (or existence) today are unknown!
Manufacturer News
Jeco is now shewing a picture of a model of an Rc4 in Epoch-IV condition to support their proposed release of such model. (Previously, the photo used was an Rc2.) This assures our confidence with the model being correct, and justifies our purchase of one, maybe two!
Publicity image from Jeco of their proposed Epoch-IV Rc4 loco.
The rumours have been confirmed; in addition to a 2019 Volvo V60, PCX87 is to produce the 2019 Volvo V90 in four colours, each costing 22,95€, thus: PCX870384 black metallic PCX870385 grey metallic PCX870386 silver PCX870387 beige metallic
Minichamps, who has proposed no fewer than two Saab cars and six Volvo cars, all with four of each, and all past their originally proposed delivery dates, has now added a one-off to the proposals, a Resin version of the Volvo 240 sedan from 1986. It will be cheaper than the delayed ABS models, but whether or not this gets delivered, remains to be seen. (Article D87171400, for delivery 5.2023!)
Pre-production image of the Volvo V90, proposed by PCX87.Pre-production sample of Minichamps’ Resin model of the Volvo 240 sedan.
Other News
On this website, we have made some minor additions to the information in our article on the YCo6 (datebox) railbuses; including the classification of the ones that went to Denmark, reference to the fact that some also went to Norway, and that the Finns had their own broader gauge version, built under licence in Finland.
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series around the FLMJ; F: The Calendar
Home produced for many years, until just before the Railway’s closure, is the calendar. This is now professionally produced, and whilst copies are available for sale (if ordered and paid for in advance), they mainly serve as yuletide ‘presents’ for our Friends. The images would normally reflect the year gone by (usually November to October so that we had a chance to get it produced and proliferated before the end of the year), but of necessity, the recent few years have carried historical photos with a particular theme. One recent year for example, was our trains on tours to other model railways. This year, it was to have been the scenery (not many trains to be seen, but appropriate scenic modelling to be appreciated instead); but the FLMJ didn’t have much of that, and having looked through the selected pictures, we just felt completely uninspired! So, in the 11th-hour we changed it to so-called “runner up” photos; those which are quite nice, but had previously been neglected in favour of other, similar photos. We haven’t decided on a theme for next year, yet!
Of course, the calendars always had a nostalgic and inspirational feeling. Having visited the railway, people would see the images and remember the enjoyment that they had during that visit (and kept them coming back, or so we like to think)! And even today, it keeps people interested, to want to know how we’re progressing with getting a new layout ready to start.
The first copies were printed in exactly the same way as our journals, but everything was printed, inclined at 90°. For a couple of years, we used glued-on colour photos; then colour ink-jet printing became available. Spiral binding was too difficult and costly to manage, so they would be staple-bound with great care to ensure that the staples were precisely in the middle so that the pages folded properly without creasing. A simple single hole was then punched so that they could be hung on the wall. We did experiment one year with a diary instead (month to a view, picture on one side, dates on the other); thus removing the need to hang the item or turn the printing through 90°, but that was not popular. Then, one year, a calendar was received from a friend, professionally printed, and we liked it so much that after a few enquiries, we ’went professional’ the following year. This did push up production costs, but the greatly improved quality is worth it. And, even though these calendars are not especially cheap to acquire (nor to send), we do intend to keep up this tradition.
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.)
Desperat efter lukten av ett ånglok ordnades en tur till lokstallets öppet dag på Krylbo den 30 april och B klass 1324 kunde lukta från parkeringen! Uppdrag slutfört! Men det här var också en bra chans att ta en titt runt så mycket av stallet som var öppet, köpa ett par saker från handlare, inklusive ‘SLM’ från 1973, och vara i en ordentlig järnvägsmiljö igen!
Tillverkarens Nyheter:
Vi har nyheter från Dekas. En avstängning har införts i DongGuan i södra Kina för att begränsa spridningen av Covid-infektion. Det är här deras fabrik ligger. Tyvärr innebär det att fabriken har stängts på obestämd tid. Det gäller inte bara Dekas egna produkter utan även deras OEM-kunder (McK, HNoll, ExactTrain, ASM och Lemke/HobbyTrain). Den här nyheten förstärker uppdateringarna från HNoll.
I ljusare hänseende förstås PCX87 förbereda en modell i H0-skala av Volvo 343 från 1976. Detta är en ofta förbisedd bil eftersom den alltid låg i skuggan av 244/245-bilarna från den epoken, och vi är glad att PCX87 ska fylla den luckan. Modellen kommer att finnas tillgänglig på följande sätt: 870300 gul, 870301 grön, 870302 silver, 870303 röd (och en begränsad upplaga “ljusblå metallic”-version exklusiv för Model Car World i Tyskland).
Andra intressanta nyheter:
Spårvägsmuseet öppnar på sin nya plats, Gasverkstorget 1, (kort bussresa från Ropsten,) den 21 maj. Den gamla platsen i Sofia stängde för några år sedan och återöppningen är en mycket efterlängtad händelse.
Den här webbplatsen … vi har laddat upp ytterligare 12 bilder till kategorin, “Rebuilt FLMJ (2016+)” på vår fotosida, av vilka bara en redan finns på andra ställen på sidan!
A set of six Märklin ‘Mas’ iron ore wagons has arrived (albeit fitted with DC insulated wheelsets). They have six-digit numbers instead of the five-digit numbers as carried on the Roco versions. This means that they are models of the newly built wagons from the 1950s, not the rebuilt 1908 ones from then. More about these farther down…
Desperate for the whaff of a steam locomotive, a trip was arranged to the Locoshed open day at Krylbo on 30 April, and B class 1324 could be smelt from the car park! Mission accomplished! But, this was also a good chance to have a look around as much of the shed as was open, buy a couple of items from traders, including the ‘SLM’ from 1973, and be in a proper railway environment again!
B class 1324 at Krylbo
Manufacturer News
We have some news from Dekas. A shutdown has been introduced in DongGuan in southern China, to limit the spread of Covid infection. This is where their factory is located. Unfortunately, this means that the factory has been closed indefinitely. This applies not only to Dekas’ own products, but also to their OEM customers (McK, HNoll, ExactTrain, ASM and Lemke/HobbyTrain). This news reinforces the updates from HNoll.
On a brighter note, PCX87 is understood to be preparing a model in H0-scale of the Volvo 343 from 1976. This is an often overlooked car because it was always in the shadow of the 244/245 cars from that epoch, and we are delighted that PCX87 is to fill that gap. The model will be available thus: 870300 yellow, 870301 green, 870302 silver, 870303 red (and a limited edition ‘light blue metallic’ version exclusive to Model Car World in Germany).
Preproduction sample photo of the proposed Volvo 343 from PCX87.
Other News
Spårvägsmuseet opens at its new location, Gasverkstorget 1, (short bus ride from Ropsten,) on 21st May. The old site at Sofia closed a few years ago, and its reopening is a much anticipated event. (With the model railway exhibition on this day at Mölndal being cancelled, our weekend has been saved!)
This website … we have uploaded an extra 12 pictures into the category, “Rebuilt FLMJ (2016+)” on our photos page, only one of which already appears elsewhere on the site!
A brief history of the Iron Ore wagons
We hinted last month at a review of the Iron Ore wagons. It has not been possible to fully identify every type that has run, but we have been able to create a summary (here) which will become a much fuller article on this website, soon. With the models, we refer to ‘ready to run’ (r-t-r).
The story starts in 1886, with 375 type ‘Maä’ wagons built in England. When the firm went bankrupt in 1894, the Swedes built 295 more of the same wagon, but labelled it ‘Mam’. Both versions later became type ‘M1’. Many were later transferred to the TGOJ for their Iron Ore railway between Grängesberg and Oxelösund. A new version was designed in Sweden with 75 prototypes in 1900. These were followed by 454 slightly modified versions in 1902, 255 further modified versions in 1903, and then 2730 of the penultimate design in 1908. These were all labelled ‘M2’, and would later become ‘Mas’, then ‘Ud’, and finally ‘Foo’/‘Foo-x’. In 1950, another new version appeared (and many older 1908 wagons were rebuilt to a similar body design). These 1740 wagons were labelled ‘Mas’ from new, then ‘Ud’, and finally ‘Foo’/‘Foo-x’. Some of these wagons are referred to as the 1952 version; put simply, the 1950 version was built in Sweden, the 1952 version in Belgium and Germany.
Two versions of the ‘Mas’ wagon: NMJ’s 1920s version left, and Roco’s rebuilt 1950s version right.
In 1956, a few design experiments led to the construction of 11 prototype ‘Mar’ wagons, but the results were not encouraging, and the project was abandoned as a favourable 4-axle bogie design was identified!
In 1965, 199 4-axle bogie wagons type ‘Mb65’ were introduced, but still, they were not satisfactory. They remained in service, not entirely on Ore duties, and were substantially modified. Thus, relabelled to ‘Uad65’ or more correctly, ‘Uads’, they became eventually ‘Faoos’/‘Faoos-x’ and ‘Faoos-t’/‘Faoos-tx’. Quite urgently, a modified ‘Uads’ was required, and the 1968 wagon was the answer, built in 732 samples. These became ‘Uad’ and later ‘Faoo’. Then, in 1970, 808 wagons of a modified version for the carriage of Iron Ore ‘pellets’ were introduced. These were ‘Uadp’, and later ‘Faoo-x’. The desire for heavier trains carrying more cargo led to the ‘Uno’ wagon from South Africa. Only 68 wagons of this type were delivered in 2000, as they could not cope with the arctic winter conditions, so the balance of the order was cancelled. To cope with this failure, and the need to move more cargo, 110 wagons based on the ‘Uad’/‘Uadp’ design were built from 2005. They were quite visibly different, and labelled ‘Uadk’. Eventually, a Swedish designed and built wagon appeared. This wagon was built in two styles, and operates in 1000+ pairs as a master and slave. Individually, they are both type ‘Fanoo’, but the pair is ‘Fammoorr’! Interestingly, as single wagons, the ‘Fanoo’ is used a little farther south, in Norway between the Kvannevann mine and pit, and the port in Mo I Rana. Finally, the ‘Fammrr’ is a pair of wagons operated (150 pairs) by another company (not LKAB) between a transhipment site at Pitkärärvi to Narvik. The mine is actually at Pajala, and especially modified lorries ply the route between the mine and the transhipment site! This wagon does not have bottom discharge, and is known as a ‘Helix Dumper’, with the body rotating 148 degrees on its chassis!
TMZ 1410 with Iron Ore train on the Western Model Railway Society’s Grunfurter Strasse layout.
The ‘M2’/‘Mas’ in original condition has been modelled by NMJ and sold in packs of four, with mostly different running numbers.
The ‘Mas’ in rebuilt condition (after the arrival of the new 1950s version) has been modelled by Roco and sold in packs of four, with different running numbers.
(NMJ and Roco collaborated on this project to produce the models with the same chassis.)
The ‘Mas’ as the 1950 new production has been modelled by Märklin (with a 2-rail compatible version marketed by Trix,) and sold in packs of six, with different running numbers.
The new and the rebuilt 1950s wagons can be distinguished by 6-digit running numbers on the new and 5 on the rebuilt!
The ‘Uad’/‘Uadp’ has been modelled by Roco and sold in packs of four, with mostly different running numbers. Some packs have four ‘Uad’, some have four ‘Uadp’, some have a mixture.
There is also a solitary ‘Uad’ wagon with a grossly overscale working tail lamp!
The ‘Fammoorr’ has been modelled by Roco and sold in packs of two pairs (four ‘Fanoo’ wagons).
We are still researching these wagons and are curious to know more about the following:
Roco’s ‘Uad’ has a reinforced top, but photos and images shew versions with slightly rounded tops also. Reference to Mb79 106759 as a photo on the internet should illustrate what we mean. How many of these were there and where do they fit in? Did they have UIC numbers, eventually? They are also seen in LEG’s program about the Dm3.
More information on the ‘Uads’ which seems to be very different to the Mb79 mentioned above.
Two versions of the Uadp are known; one with a flat top (as depicted on the Roco model), and one with a bowed top (as depicted on one of UGJ’s kits); and both seen in the aforementioned LEG program! Were they modified at random, or were a number built in this way?
We also need some photos that we may use to accompany the article!
Behind the Scenes
Mini-Series about the FLMJ, 5: Train Formations
The FLMJ had an intensive passenger train schedule, but the goods trains were more for show whilst we were still developing the railway with facilities for them. There would be goods facilities at Gärde, Fjällnäs, Industriområdet and Jonshamn; the latter two reached only by diesel-hauled trains, often by shunters picking wagons out from an electric-hauled train at Lövhöjden, as described in an earlier review! In fact, the loco-shed at Lövhöjden was ‘home’ to shunting diesel locos of classes Z65 and Z70! See one of the photos in the meta-slider on our homepage! We were starting to get a good schedule going when closure brought everything to an abrupt halt. But we had enough of a start to be able to pick up on it whenever we get going again.
Rc6 1328 brings a goods train into Lövhöjden.
Passenger trains were easier to develop given that many of our members had travelled as passengers on the Swedish railways! With this experience, we created a schedule for InterCity, InterRegio, Local, and Night (sleeper) trains. All trains (except ‘night’) operated on a two-hourly interval, and considering that the InterCity trains would have come from a long distance, they were changed for each service each day! The local trains would come onto the layout from the shadow station, and stay there until the evening; shuttling between the various locations that they served. Naturally, we were limited to the models that were available (which largely influenced our eventual Epoch decision—but that’s for another time), and any new set up will see a few changes.
Our InterCity trains comprised four carriages, one of which would have first class seating. But there were no catering carriages, because none were available as models. Since then, both 1960s and 1980s rakes have had new models procured, and the trains can be five carriages long (RB1 catering carriage in the 1960s rakes, and R4R in the 1980s rake). Even our 1940s set now has the B3S for catering! With new 1980s models arriving from HNoll, we are looking at acquiring a second 1980s rake, and making them both seven carriages long! The X2000 also falls into the InterCity category of course, and that is a fixed ‘unit’ formation.
InterRegio trains comprised three carriages, one of which had composite seating (areas for first and second class). There was no need for catering carriages, and there seems no need to change these rakes. Our two main rakes comprise 1960s carriages (types ‘AB3’+‘B1’+‘B5’), but there are others, including the TGOJ 1940s rake and a 1960s rake in 1990s livery!
Lövhöjden with an InterRegio train in the foreground, and an InterCity train with an extra Conference carriage in the background.
Local trains would normally consist of Y6 generation railbuses; but in any new set-up, we have the Y1/YF1, and soon the Dekas Y2 unit should arrive. These are all diesel units of course, but we have a new chassis to put under our X10 electric unit, so soon that will be just as reliable and useable. There were and remain also, some loco hauled local trains, one with the AB4 and BF2 carriages, and one with a set of B6 carriages, for example; but not forgetting the heritage 2-axle models!
Night/Sleeper trains will have changed dramatically since the old FLMJ closed. Then, we had a primary set comprising our two Lima sleeper carriages, Lima restaurant carriage, an often-changed seating carriage, and a Lima baggage carriage. The UGJ couchette carriages were usually run with our international carriages from Russia and Norway, but this ‘second’ set’ had no fixed formation. With the arrival of HNoll’s 1980s carriages, this has changed. A Roco B7 has replaced the often-changing seating carriage, and the baggage carriage has been replaced by three HNoll BC4 couchette carriages. The second set comprises the three UGJ BC1 couchette carriages, a HNoll R4R catering carriage, Roco B7, and two HNoll sleepers, types WL4 and WL6. (We purchased only one of each sleeper carriage because they were never brown, and we don’t want too many things in the 1990s livery!) The R4R could be changed to an R4 if HNoll does develop this. The Norwegian and Russian carriages (and a German seating carriage) are now reserved for special duties.
Special mention should be made of our 1930s rake of carriages, which don’t ‘fit’ into any of the above categories; but they have a special niche in Heritage trains. The rake is four carriages long, plus a 2-axle goods carriage. There is a small area for first class seating in one of the carriages, and there is a catering carriage.
Everything had its place in the timetable. This made the operation of the railway easier, and more organised. The timetable allowed time for getting models out of their boxes and putting them away (as Ålunden had only four tracks); and deliberate brief periods of absolute inactivity were timed perfectly for Fika and Lunch breaks!
Next month we’ll look at how it all worked; without getting too technical!
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.
Three Jeco tank wagons arrived at the beginning of the month, one each in Gulf, Mobil and Nynäs liveries. Unfortunately, the running numbers have been changed from the ones advertised and all three have incorrect UIC control digits. (They would have been correct with the original numbers!) We now have seven of this style of tank wagon, and unless something especially interesting is produced, we don’t intend to get any more. We look forward to the time when we can run them as a train (all seven).
The newer Nynäs wagon from Jeco.
The newer GUlf wagon from Jeco
The newer Mobil wagon from Jeco
Manufacturer News
HNoll reports that the motor vehicles (motorvagnarna) are ready for tool making. But, we do not know what this refers to (we were aware of the Ma-loco, but that is something else). Of the Ma loco HNoll has said very little other than that it is coming along nicely and maybe some photos will be available before the end of the year. Deliveries of the next passenger carriages can hopefully take place at the end of 2021. The Blue X carriages (IC-11) A11 and B11 have been moved to 2022 (March-April-May) together with the B4 carriages when they will make a tool for the extra window panes on B11. The special carriages (type S1) will take a while longer due to a production and costing misunderstanding! They are not removed but paused for a short time.
Brekina has released models of the Volvo 66 sedan alongside the Daf 66 version. They note that the Daf is a 1972 year model, and the Volvo is 1975. As usual, there is an assortment of liveries. The kombi (estate) version is also offered in post livery and for Sweden’s neighbours, in Norwegian police (“Politi”) livery. The post version should of course have the steering wheel on the right, but the model doesn’t! You won’t need many of either for a Swedish or other Nordic diorama; being produced in Holland, in the Daf factory, they never did become at all popular, and the same dislike was shewn to the Volvo 343, which also came from the Dutch factory, despite being designed by Volvo. But plenty were made!
Essentially the same car, but with subtle differences; the Daf 66 (blue) and Volvo 66 (silver); models from Brekina.
Other News
We had planned to investigate a model railway event at Kårsta at the beginning of the month (and which was on our forthcoming events page), but public transport to the event was terrible. Kårsta has a railway station (the northernmost point on the remaining Roslagsbanan), but it was closed due to engineering. Instead of providing a rail replacement bus to serve the route, SL provided an assortment of busses to serve different parts of the route, and some to serve also areas not even reached by the railway! At least two changes would have been necessary; so we decided to give it a miss. Hopefully, next year will be OK; and we’ll get to sample a ride in a new X15p train at the same time. Well, maybe!
Stockholm’s Cultural Society for Steam and Railways (or correctly, Stockholms Kultursällskap för Ånga och Järnväg) – SKÅJ had an open event at Krylbo locoshed, and a special train was run from Stockholm with electric loco F 701, of which the FLMJ has a model. So, we went out to catch (film and photograph) the train whizzing through Häggvik on its outbound journey. You can see it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=psVK3o0JMV0 in a video from the mobile phone because we forgot to fully charge the Go-Pro!
F701 passing Häggvik on September 25th.
Do check our events listings; especially if you happen to be in Sweden. MJ-Hobby is having an open day of sorts on October 2nd, and there is a two day event proposed at Uppsala. And then at the end of November, there is the Hjulmarknaden, which was often visited from the UK because it is such a worthy event!
Finishing on a personal note, the former Director General of the FLMJ secured employment during September, and this means that the light is in sight for the process to restart searching for a new home for the Railway. A lot of expenditure needs to be recovered first, so it will not be before next year. However, we intend in one way or another, to ‘mark’ the 30th anniversary of the opening of the original KRBJ (from which the FLMJ emanated) on 25th July next year. Maybe just an announcement (to be realistic), but who knows?
Tre Jeco ‘Uh’ tankvagnar anlände i början av månaden, var och en i Gulf, Mobil och Nynäs. Tyvärr har löpnumren ändrats från de som annonseras och alla tre har felaktiga UIC-kontrollsiffror. (De skulle ha varit korrekta med de ursprungliga siffrorna!) Vi har nu sju av den här tankvagnstilen, och om inte något särskilt intressant produceras, tänker vi inte få mer. Vi ser fram emot den tid då vi kan köra dem som ett tåg (alla sju).
Tillverkarens Nyheter:
HNoll rapporterar att motorfordonen är redo för verktygstillverkning. Men vi vet inte vad detta betyder (vi var medvetna om Ma-lok, men det är något annat). Om Ma-lok har HNoll sagt väldigt lite men kanske kommer det några foton innan årets slut. Specialvagnarna (typ S1) kommer att försenas på grund av ett missförstånd med produktionskostnaderna! De tas inte bort utan pausas en kort stund.
Brekina har producerat modeller av Volvo 66 sedan dess tillsammans med Daf 66-versionen. De noterar att Daf är en 1972-modell, och Volvon är 1975. Som vanligt finns det ett sortiment av färger på modellerna. Kombi-versionen erbjuds också i postleverans och för Sveriges grannar, i norsk polis (“Politi”). Postversionen ska naturligtvis ha ratten till höger, men det gör inte modellen! På bilden (se nyheter på engelska) är den blå modellen Daf, men silvermodellen är Volvo.
Andra nyheter:
Vi hade planerat att undersöka en modelljärnvägshändelse på Kårsta i början av månaden (och som fanns på vår kommande evenemangssida), men kollektivtrafiken till evenemanget var hemsk. Linjen till Kårsta stängdes p.g.a. underhåll. Istället för att tillhandahålla en järnvägsersättningsbuss för att betjäna sträckan, gav SL ett sortiment av bussar för att betjäna olika delar av sträckan, och vissa för att betjäna också områden som inte ens nås av järnvägen! Man skulle behöva byta minst två gånger för att komma dit; så vi bestämde oss för att inte gå. Förhoppningsvis blir nästa år OK; och vi får prova en åktur i ett nytt X15p -tåg samtidigt. Kanske!
Stockholms Kultursällskap för Ånga och Järnväg – SKÅJ hade ett evenemang på Krylbo lokstallet, och ett specialtåg kördes från Stockholm med ellok F 701, varav FLMJ har en modell. Så vi gick ut för att fånga (filma och fotografera) tåget som susade genom Häggvik på sin utresa. Du kan se den här: www.youtube.com/watch?v=psVK3o0JMV0 i en video från mobiltelefonen eftersom vi glömde att ladda Go-Pro helt!
Kolla våra evenemangslistor. MJ-Hobby har en MMM-dag den 2 oktober, och det finns en järnvägsrelaterad händelse som föreslås i Uppsala ganska snart. Och sedan i slutet av november finns det Hjulmarknaden, som ofta besöktes från Storbritannien eftersom det är en så värdig händelse!
Och slutligen: FLMJ:s tidigare generaldirektör fick anställning under september, och det betyder att ljuset är i sikte för processen att börja söka efter ett nytt hem för järnvägen. Många utgifter måste återvinnas först, så det kommer inte att vara innan nästa år. Vi avser dock på ett eller annat sätt att ”markera” 30 -årsjubileet för öppnandet av det ursprungliga KRBJ (från vilket FLMJ kom) den 25 juli nästa år. Kanske bara ett tillkännagivande (för att vara realistiskt), men vem vet?
