Rolling Stock Updates
Three Rivarossi wagons arrived (as a boxed set) of type ‘Gbs’, except that two of them are labelled and numbered pre-UIC, as type ‘Gre’. These are the former Lima wagons, taken over by Hornby, and resold under the Rivarossi brand. Quite why two different epochs appear in one set is something only Hornby can answer. Nevertheless, they are a special set, so we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to obtain them, even though they are weathered – something that we usually try to avoid at the FLMJ.
Not rolling stock, but modelling material at least. Two buildings were acquired via Tradera. One is another copy of the standard Pola Swedish house, but the picture on the box suggested that it was a different version. It is not the seller’s fault that it isn’t, rather Pola’s fault! But this is not a disappointment, and it’s assembly shall take place soon, The other is a little more generic, but quite typical for a house in Sweden (and one that we do not already have), so that will be just as interesting.
Manufacturer News
HNoll reports that production problems continue in China; now a lack of electricity means that future deliveries will be delayed. It is not possible to say with any certainty when any carriages can be delivered. HNoll says that we have to be realistic and count on delivery not before 2022. Revenues from these products will therefore be delayed, which affects the models planned for 2022. It is very sad that this is happening and nothing can be influenced. The only positive right now is that HNoll can spend even more time on details during the design stage for future models.
Tågkompaniet and Connex sleeper and couchette carriages have sold so well that they have made a profit. The series has been produced in 120 copies of each model. However, there are still too few sold to justify a continuation with more running numbers, which will be a disappointment to people wanting to create scale length trains. No more will be manufactured in this series. However, the remaining carriages in the TKAB and Connex series will still be manufactured.
Brekina has, not by surprise, issued the Daf 66 kombi in a selection of colours. This means that both Daf 66 and Volvo 66 are available as sedans and kombis.
Wiking has released the Volvo 850 kombi in a metallic copper colour. We wondered how authentic this colour is on this model, and the nearest 1:1 version that we could find on a rather thorough internet search, was in this picture from Poland! This model remains Wiking’s most modern Volvo.
Winterzone (https://shop.winterzone.se/index.php?) is constantly releasing new items in its 3D-printed range. Of particular interest for the railway scene, are the loose air intakes and cab walls to mount on NMJ’s Y1 and YF1. See their catalogue on the website. Other items of interest are a gritting sandbox, park benches, traffic cones and other lane markers, cable drums, entry barriers, pallets, assorted types of skips and recycling containers, sausage kiosk, platform switchgear (the next epoch up from the TeknoBygg one; see image), assorted seats to put in models that have no interior fittings, and so on!
Other News
MJ-Hobby had a special event at the beginning of the month, where, inside the shop, all of the Radio Controlled modelling was moved away to make room for a modular model railway layout and a couple of other displays; and light refreshments were served from a tent outside the store. This was arranged instead of a full exhibition as this is a busy time of year for such events, and too much competition! The store seemed very busy on the day, but no purchases were made on behalf of the FLMJ.