100 years Bernina Railroad Very beautiful LGB models

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CLUB
NEWS
2010
100 years Bernina Railroad
Very beautiful LGB models
Tips and Tricks
LGB Garden Railroad over
Mountains and Valleys
LGB Club-News 01/2010
20
The third part of our advisory service series on layout construction explains how to overcome elevations and
dips in the garden: A skilled hand can turn the tunnels and bridges into real eye-catchers on any LGB railroad.
Contents
Issue 03 / 2010
Detail
News: LGB railroad as a highlight of the State Garden Show in Villingen-Schwenningen, the new LGB catalog, Year DVD 2009/2010 .......... 4
Major campaign for the summer with some great models
at your LGB dealer . ................................................................................... 5
100 years Bernina Railroad: The LGB Models for the Anniversary . ..... 6
Scene
Layout Portrait: Wild West in the Middle of Saxony ........................... 12
Tips and Tricks: Mountain railroads have always had a particular
fascination for railroad enthusiasts. We show you how to get to the
top with a rack-and-pinion LGB locomotive . ........................................ 18
Service
Layout Construction: In Part Three of our series we look at the technical and optical aspects of integrating bridges and tunnels
in the surroundings. Attention to certain details is needed for the
bridge to crown the layout in your garden. A professional explains
the tools and accessories needed for the job ....................................... 20
The following enclosures are in the Club publication 03/2010: Club News 03/2010
Märklin Magazin 03/2010, Year DVD (Part 1).
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LGB Club-News 01/2010
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6
Tips and tricks for LGB enthusiasts:
Everything about cogwheel railroads.
On the centennial of the legendary Bernina Railroad:
Very beautiful LGB models.
Your direct line to us
Dear LGB friends,
Customer Service
Club Hotline:
By phone Monday – Friday
from 10.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Telephone: + 49 (0) 7161 / 608 - 213 • Fax: - 308
E-mail: [email protected]
Products and Technology
Repairs and complaints, replacement parts:
By phone Monday – Friday
from 10.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Telephone: + 49 (0) 7161 / 608 - 222 • Fax:- 225
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet
www.maerklin.com or www.lgb.de
Are you moving soon?
Please inform us in good time of your new
address so we can still contact you. A forwarding request at the Post Office is unfortunately
not enough.
The gardening season has finally arrived.
And by this a whole range of great LGB new
items that we want to show you in this issue.
Focus is on the legendary Bernina Railroad
that will be 100 years old this year. And LGB
is celebrating as well: The main article shows
you how you can make your own small-scale
Bernina Railroad with true-to-detail LGB cars from the era III rail car now available and the
RhB high-sided gondola for taking logs and
other bulky goods over the Alps, through to
Dietmar Kötzle,
the 2nd-class passenger car in the current
Head of Customer Clubs
color scheme of the original. And this issue
includes many other highlights for you. Benefit from the valuable
practical tips for constructing your LGB layout and be carried away
to the Wild West by the layout portrait here. By the way: Calling in on
your LGB dealer can be particularly worthwhile at the moment. Fresh
off the press here is the new LGB catalog with all the new items for
the summer. I wish you a lot of fun in the garden and with the reports
in this issue!
Thank you for your cooperation!
Dietmar Kötzle
Imprint
Publisher
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH
Stuttgarter Str. 55 – 57
73033 Göppingen, Germany
Märklin Customer Clubs
Dietmar Kötzle (responsibility)
Silvia Römpp
Editorial office
Club News is an exclusive part of this publication
3G Media GmbH: Peter Waldleitner (editor-in-chief),
for LGB Club members.
Frank Erdle, Lars Harnisch, Tobias Bumm
Subject to changes and delivery options for all
Graphic Design
Gerhard Baumann GmbH & Co. KG
products mentioned. All rights reserved. Reprinting,
even excerpts, only with prior written permission.
This also applies to storage in electronic systems
Photography
and reproduction on CD-ROM. The editorial office
Unless otherwise indicated: LGB Club
accepts no liability for unsolicited manuscripts,
No liability for the dates given.
photographs and illustrations.
E 158270 – 03 2010 © Gebr. Märklin
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
News & Facts
State Garden Show:
An Eldorado for LGB
enthusiasts
LGB enthusiasts should not miss the BadenWürttemberg State Garden Show in VillingenSchwenningen under any circumstances.
One of the highlights of this very colorful
park landscape is the impressive LGB layout
set up to honor the centennial of the Bernina
Railroad. Mountainous terrain to a height of
160 centimeters (63 in.) has been modeled on
an area measuring 37 by 12 meters (121 by
39 ft.). Eight trains run in alternation over some
80 meters (263 ft.) on the flat and 120 meters
(394 ft.) of routes over the mountains based
on the Rhaetian Railroad. Track radii of
2.30 meters (7.55 ft.) give the appearance of
a large-scale landscape As well as the
railroad routes through a station with eight
platforms there are a pond, two large bridges,
a mighty fortress and many true-to-scale
buildings for the very effective scenery in
miniature. The idea, the planning for the
routes and the choice of trains are all the work
of Volkmar Breithut from Gartenbahnfreunden
Brigachtal. The long-serving LGB enthusiast
from the Baden region is also responsible
for the technology and running the layout.
Apprentices from the gardening and landscaping courses at the local Albert-Schweitzer
School in Villingen helped as well: They
undertook all the landscaping and planting
work for the layout.
The State Garden Show is open daily from
9 am until 7 pm daily until October 10. A day
ticket costs 14 euro for an adult and 5 euro
for a kid. A family ticket (2 adults and any
number of their own kids) costs 28 euro, an
evening ticket for admission after 5 pm costs
7 euro (adult) and 2 euro for a kid.
Tip for a day out:
Volkmar Breithut from Gartenbahnfreunden Brigachtal is
wanting to entice many model
railroading enthusiasts to
Villingen-Schwenningen.
New: The Year DVD and the LGB General Catalog 2010
The merry month of May with once again a lot to offer LGB enthusiasts: The brandnew general catalog with all the model new items will soon be stocked by your LGB
dealer. In response to the many requests we have brought the publication of this
standard work forward from the fall to the spring - and by this to the beginning of the
garden railroading season. 148 pages full of LGB await you. And the best is: Besides
the whole LGB assortment as reference material and for planning your layout, this
fresh-off-the-press comprehensive overview also includes the LGB premiers for the
summer, complete with photographs and descriptive text.
And it has also been worthwhile to wait for the video-DVD produced
exclusively for LGB Club members. The first of two DVDs planned for
2010 is enclosed with this shipmen; a cover is available for you to
download on the Internet, and suitable containers from the electronics
store will help you keep your collection under control. Also available
are attractively-priced archive boxes. The new DVD has many exciting
articles on garden railroading. For instance the report from Lars
Schilling, marketing manager at Märklin, on what's being planned
for the LGB brand, and a portrait of the LGB Club Rhein-Sieg.
Also covered are the Nuremberg Toy Fair and the Märklin Days in
Göppingen. It's all rounded off with technology tips, some dream
layouts and the series "LGB Bestsellers and Their originals".
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
News & Facts
Review of the fairs in spring
Model railroads are the current trend
The two spring fairs in Karlsruhe and Dortmund drew a lot of attention
to the exhibits from LGB. More than 56,000 visitors came to the Baden
metropole for the 16th Faszination Modellbau from Sinsheim – a
major success for the premiere in Karlsruhe of the largest modelbuilding fair in south Germany. There were 417 exhibitors from 13
countries. 15 large railroad layouts in all gauges had been set up
over the grounds. The fun from hands-on at the LGB railroad proved
particularly popular amongst the visitors. The next Faszination
Modellbau is scheduled for March 24 - 27, 2011. More information at
www.faszination-modellbau-messe.de on the Internet.
The Intermodellbau Dortmund centered around the Märklin brands.
As always, numerous model railroading enthusiasts gathered in the
Café Engine Sheds to talk about the exiting new items and exchange
ideas on the activities planned for this year. Messe Dortmund has
since announced that the next Intermodellbau will take place April 13
to 17, 2011 (www.intermodellbau.de).
Attracting the public at the Modellbaumesse in Karlsruhe:
LGB railroad and scenery admired by both young and old.
High season for outdoor enthusiasts
At last you can enjoy your garden railroad and realize your
new ideas. Your LGB dealer is there to help.
Off to the LGB dealer: In time for the open-air
season is a generous assortment of models,
like the RhB electric loco Ge 4/4 III (L21423;
below), and accessories like the station
platform set (L19902; top).
An expansive assortment of models and accessories for your garden
railroad is waiting for you at your LGB dealer in time for the first
warm days of the year. Take this as the opportunity to call in to look
at the originals of these very detailed LGB new items for more
inspiration on how to make your garden railroad look even better.
The pages that follow include a few suggestions - from the Bernina
Railroad in the mountains of Switzerland to Wild West scenes in LGB
format. And when you are at your dealer, you can also make sure of
your copy of the new LGB catalog.
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Tipps und Technik
This beautifully classic nostalgia set from the Rhaetian Railroad can also be realized with LGB models.
100 years Bernina Railroad
Bernina cars –
Original and model
The Rhaetian Railroad (RhB) is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. We are
taking this jubilee as occasion to present the appropriate cars from the LGB assortment.
We are also giving tips on how to make the train look like the original.
Rail car veterans
The then still independent Bernina Railroad
started to run between St. Moritz and Tirano
on July 5, 1910, once the first section of the
route had been opened July 1, 1908. The use
of electric rail cars had been foreseen for the
route right from the beginning as the Bernina
Railroad was intended for tourists. The first
cars had already been purchased back in
1908. And hence the BCe 4/4 1-10 was put
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into service in 1908, and the BCe 4/4 11-14
of identical design followed a year later. Still
surviving from this series are the yellow
nostalgia rail car ABe 4/4 34 (the former BCe
4/4 4) and the engineering rail cars Xe 4/4
9923 and 9924 (formerly BCe 4/4 12 and 14
respectively) which are also still in service. The
two red rail cars ABe 4/4 31 and 32 (formerly
BCe 4/4 1 and 2) were withdrawn from service
in 2009 and have since been broken up, while
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Model new release
the third red car 4/4 35 (ex BCe 4/4 10) has
found a new home on the Museumsbahn
Blonay-Chamby.
Traffic on the Bernina railroad developed very
well in the early years, and by 1911 this led
to three further rail cars, BCFe 4/4 21 to 23,
being ordered which were built to a modified
design compared with the first series delivered.
Of these, there still survive the nostalgia rail car
ABe 4/4 30 (ex BCFe 4/4 22) and engineering
rail car Xe 4/4 9922 (ex BCFe 4/4 21).
Changes made to the cars
This article shall only include a very brief
description of the technical changes that
were made. The overhead traction line
voltage initially was 750 Volt. This was
successively increased to 1000 V by 1926.
This was accompanied by retrofitting the
rail cars with more powerful engines. To
strengthen the old wooden superstructure,
the rail cars of the first generation were
given completely welded metal paneling
as of 1953. Instead of the Lyra pantographs
originally used, conventional pantographs
were successively installed as of 1946. The
last of the Lyra pantographs were in use
until 1969. They were then replaced in some
cases by half-shear pantographs. With these
technical modifications, the rail cars of the
first generation were upgraded to meet the
increasing transportation requirements as
well as to satisfy the increasingly more
stringent safety requirements. It was only in
1964 that the second generation appeared,
though some of the old rail cars are still in
operation on the Bernina Railroad after more
100 years of service.
Color scheme
The rail cars originally had a dark color when
they left the factory. Following the fusion
with the Rhaetian Railroad, most of the rail
cars were repainted green / cream as of 1946.
Both nostalgia cars are available as models in the assortment from LGB. Our photo shows
the ABe 4/4 30 (22390).
From 1956 onwards, the rather elegant look
successively gave way to a completely green
color scheme. The original type designations
BCe und BCFe were changed in 1956 to ABe
for all. There was one exception - the ABFe 4/4
38. Red became the standard color as of 1962,
whereby there have been many changes to
certain details of the coloring scheme since
then. Concerned are the trim strip, the logo
and the doors. The ABe 4/4 30 was revamped
in 2000 and put back into service as an historic
vehicle in yellow. The ABe 4/4 34 followed a
year later. Both rail cars were then just for
special journeys, though they were still to
be found in use for scheduled trains and for
pulling maintenance trains. This is the reason
why many interesting variants of models are
possible from these wonderfully old rail cars.
The model of the RhB passenger car, 2nd class (30674), in the current
color scheme of the famous original.
The RhB high-side gondola Fb8519 (40880) is used in reality for transporting
wood and other materials.
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Model new release
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
this was realized only later because of the
then difficult times at LGB.
Current rail car assortment
Now for the first time there is a Bernina rail car as an Era III model in the LGB assortment,
here as the ABe 4/4 33 in green (23390).
The model of the RhB passenger car B 2081 (30553) matches the green rail car very well.
The LGB models
The model of the ABe 4/4 l is a very new
construction. It first appeared in 2002 as
item number 20390 as the ABe 4/4 34 in red,
though without the wide silver-colored strip.
A red ABe 4/4 32 with the same item number
followed in 2003. The nostalgia rail car ABe
4/4 34 appeared in 2004 in a yellow color
scheme. There were technically different
variants with the item numbers 21390, 21392
and 21393. The ABe 4/4 30 in yellow was
announced for the first time in 2007, though
ABe 4/4 34 and ABe 4/4 30 during switching in St. Moritz, July 2, 2004.
The rail cars are principally coupled together such that the ABe 4/4 34
is travelling in the direction of Tirano at Zugspitze.
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On the occasion of the Bernina jubilee,
Märklin is offering a series of LGB models
from different eras. For those wanting a
reproduction from era III there is the ABe 4/4
33 (23390) in a green color scheme currently
available. To match this there is the two-axle
RhB passenger car B 2081 in the program. Yet
as it well known, the rail cars do not only pull
passenger cars over the pass. Freight cars are
pulled as well. Era III two-axle freight cars are
also included in the current assortment.
Particularly interesting from the color-scheme
viewpoint and where the originals can still
to be found in service, are the ABe 4/4 30
(22390) and the ABe 4/4 34 (22392). Like
the original they frequent either alone or in
double traction to pull historic two-axle cars,
palace cars, conventional passenger trains
and freight cars. Included in the current
assortment to match these rail cars are the
RhB passenger car 2nd class (30674), the
RhB high-side gondola Fb 8519 (40880), all
two-axle flat cars for containers currently
in the program from Era V as well as the
four-axle log freight car Rp-w (40920) already
announced. With these cars and the yellow
rail car there is thus a wide diversity in
operations possible.
Our photos of the originals shall give you a
few ideas for making up your trains. Please
note that the rail cars in the analog mode
should not be used for double traction this
might cause damage to the transmission.
In the digital mode the respective guidelines
The maintenance car Xk 9324 from the catenary maintenance depot Landquart waiting October 1, 2007, near the
depot of the Bernina Railroad for the next assignment.
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
shall be observed. Whereas the ABe 4/4 34
is currently supplied with an onboard MZS
decoder, the ABe 4/4 30 is available as an
analog model with a DCC interface. Upgrading
to fit a MZS decoder is however possible
and straightforward.
Incidentally, there is a further rail car that
like its original in service on the Bernina
Railroad, is available as model in the large
LGB program. This is the RhB tractor Tm 2/2
(21410). The reproduction of this was last
in the LGB program in 2009.
The passenger train cars
Typical passenger train cars on the Bernina
Railroad are the RhB passenger cars, 2nd
class (30674), that can be combined with the
yellow rail car. The RhB passenger car EW
IV that is available in the LGB assortment
was built especially for the Bernina Railroad.
With the original, there are other EW IV cars
that are longer and can only run on the main
network.
There are many color variants of the
"Bernina" EW IV available, starting with
the red / anthracite car from the days of
the Bernina Express to the classic red color
scheme and through to the coloring of the
current original with its wide trim strips. The
cars cannot however be pulled by an old
rail car. As these frequent from the Bernina
Railroad to the main network, there is a Ge
4/4 II (28432) or Ge 4/4 III (21423) waiting here
as the matching rail car. Also, the two-axle
RhB observation car (34250) can be used
both on the main network of the RhB as well
as on the Bernina Railroad. The observation
cars can be found in combination with both
the red old rail car as well as with the yellow
nostalgia rail car.
Maintenance cars
Travel impressions: A
journey with the Rhaetian
Railroad for unforgettable
impressions.
No job is beneath a red rail car of the type
ABe 4/4 I or the yellow nostalgia rail car.
These are thus to be found in service for
switching operations as well as pulling freight
trains. In winter for instance for pulling four
and two-axle low-side gondolas to take away
the snow from the station area. And also for
pulling four-axle hopper cars and two-axle
carrot tops as supply trains to construction
sites.
Not least there are two other maintenance
cars in the LGB assortment that can be found
in service on the Bernina Railroad. These are
the RhB repair car X 9079 (31553) that like the
original is modification of a two-axle Bernina
passenger car, and the RhB freight car Xk
9043 (40813) that in yellow, was assigned to
the catenary maintenance depot.
Text and photographs: Thomas Bradler, RhB (2)
Freight cars
Almost all categories of cars are in service on
the Bernina line of the RhB. Most cargos are
of wood being taken from Switzerland to Italy.
Two and four-axle lumber transport cars, as
well as the two-axle high-side gondolas, are
suitable for such transportation. In return
Switzerland receives crude oil from Italy. The
matching four-axle tank car is available
from LGB as well. Then there are the twoaxle covered boxcars, sliding wall boxcars,
container cars and the RhB carrot tops in
service on the Bernina line. Depending on the
era, these models can also be combined with
the Bernina rail cars of the first generation.
The repair car X 9079 (31553) originated from a passenger car.
The RhB freight car Xk 9043 (40813) in the version as a maintenance car.
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Product info
The new LGB models
New at your dealers
American boxcars are playing a major role at LGB this year.
And the dealers will also have some very nice historic tank
cars in stock for LGB enthusiasts.
47917 UP H.E.R.B.I.E Boxcar
Four-axle boxcar in the livery of
the Union Pacific. The LGB model
was faithfully based on a real
prototype. Intricate paint scheme
and lettering. The car doors open.
Length over the buffers 46.0 cm.
40806 C & S Tankwagen Conoco # 5
Right from the early days of railroads, there
was a need for special freight cars to carry
liquids. Tank car of the Colorado & Southern
with a silver tank and authentic Conoco lettering. Length over the buffers 41.5 cm.
44540 UP Bulkhead Flatcar
Four-axle flatcar of the Union Pacific. Reissue of the LGB model with the new
car number 15054. The flatcar is carrying a load of weathered TT girders.
Length over ther buffers 61.4 cm.
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Product info
45919 ATSF Boxcar #205228
Boxcars are widespread in North America
and part of almost every freight train. The
LGB model replicates a four-axle boxcar in
the livery of the Santa Fe. The large side
doors of the car open. Length over the buffers
46.0 cm.
40853 TTX Hanjin Container Car
The Trailer Train Corporation owns a large
number of container cars. The LGB model
replicates a four-axle container car in TTX
livery and lettering, loaded with a Hanjin
container. Length over the buffers 41.5 cm.
The fun of a musical for Club members
LGB Club members can now enjoy live performances of both a classic
and a new production. Starlight Express is must for everyone. And
Hairspray with Uwe Ochsenknecht in a leading role is worth a visit as
well. Members can now enjoy both musicals at particularly favorable
conditions.
Starlight Express captivates musical fans the world over.
A special rate for LGB Club members: Two current stage hits
Musical
Venue
Validity
Starlight Express
Starlight Express Theater
Bochum
No limits
Hairspray
Musical Dome Cologne
Until the end of 2010
A call will secure your Club benefits
LGB Club members are eligible for a ten-percent reduction on regularpriced tickets by quoting the customer PIN 15862. Tickets and
information on: +49 (0) 211 / 73 44 120. Ticket prices ranges from 35 to
128 euro, including advance sales charge and 2 euro system fee.
Uwe Ochsenknecht (left) stars in Hairspray as Edna Turnblad.
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Szene
Ausstellung
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Scene
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Layout Portrait
Layout Portrait
Wild West feeling in Saxony
Models of historic American trains are running on Lutz Sommer's garden layout. This
LGB layout has since reached cult status amongst the garden-railroad enthusiasts in
Saxony. Single to Durango and then much further: Come along as well!
Lutz Sommer used to be a TT model railroad fanatic. This
was very popular in those days in Saxony. That's more
than 15 years ago now. The gauge in the middle does
have certain advantages: There is enough room for many
maneuvers in confined spaces. Yet Sommer has a passion
for other model railroads as well. A new era began in 1993
when the Sommer family was on vacation in Garmisch
in Upper Bavaria. Was it coincidence or intentional that
they all stopped in front of the model railroad dealer? Lutz
Sommer doesn't know any more.
The memories are now faint during the conversation
amidst the flowers in bloom and rumbling trains in the
garden. "We wanted to buy some nice things for our
daughter's doll's house." Father and son were attracted
to a different section of the toy shop. That is was possible
in 1993 on the border to Austria to find the entire TT
program including a few rarities will not surprise anyone.
And the attention of the father Lutz was thus devoted
to a starter set for a LGB railroad. Track for one oval, a
transformer, a passenger car and Stainz - this set proved
very appealing to the model railroader.
There is a settlement typical of the gold rush time to be admired on the LGB
layout in the Sommer garden.
While still on vacation, the family council convened
to decide whether starting a new gauge would be acceptable. It must be noted here that the driving force
was not the father of the family but more his wife. The
reasoning behind the decision became apparent much
later: The vegetable garden at the their house was to be
turned into flower beds – and with a garden railroad
as an eye-catcher.
Years later, it can be seen every spring how this idea has
been developed further. The plot of land measuring some
1000 square meters (10764 sq. ft.) now includes 400 square
meters (4305 sq. ft.) of garden railroad. 250 meters (820 ft.)
of track have been laid, 30 turnouts included and extensive
changes made to the landscape. The Sommers have
made progress little by little. Initially the family applied
the dogbone principal for the layout that extended from
the house to the pond in the garden. Two trains could run
The LGB / Aster-Shay bringing logs to the provincial town.
Will they be used for making barrels for the beer?
A short Santa Fe passenger train passes over the trestle bridge in a
landscape styled with much attention to detail.
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
here in alternation. The substructure used for the track
was made using pavers. This proved to be a very suitable
solution.
Model railroaders are however an extraordinary species
and their activities are not always unanimously popular.
This is not the case with the Sommers. Everyone here
is enthusiastic and gladly joins in. Even the son-in-law
has got the "garden railroad" bug. Working together and
looking after the layout together is very purposeful in
caring for the railroad. "I am not a gardening enthusiast
at all" admits Lutz Sommer when it comes to the
technical side of looking after the layout. His wife does all
the landscaping work. This means watering the
plants, cutting a cirrus here and there that is wanting
to cross the line, putting in new plants - all the jobs
needed to keep the landscape looking nice. Son and
daughter help their father building the track and with the
technical maintenance. The layout in its present state of
construction has been in operation since 1998. No new
sections of the route have been added since then. This
means that the Sommers have gathered more than ten
years of experience in running a garden railroad. All the
track is resting on concrete. This is concrete that has been
placed in molds made specially for the purpose. The
concrete blocks are on a substrate comprising a layer of
gravel measuring 15 centimeters (5.9 in.) that is at a depth
of 20 centimeters (7.8 in.) in the soil. That's deep enough
to protect the route from frost and other weathering
influences.
The small scenes on the large garden layout have been created with much
care, like the one here with the church.
The route goes by an Indian village there are no raids any more here.
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Scene
Layout Portrait
Everything American to be found in the LGB program is running here.
A Pennsylvania train fits in with the landscape here just as well as does a
panorama train from Grizzly Flats.
The blocks of concrete can be replaced at any time if
necessary. One particular neuralgic point is the trestle
bridge. This has been made of wood. The problem in
constructing the 180° bridge some 3.7 meters (145.7 in.)
long in an LGB radius 3 around a beautiful deciduous tree
was how to realize a continuous gradient of two percent
for a stepped course over the terrain. The bridge was
pre-fabricated to 80% in the basement workshop and then
taken outside and completed.
The fear was justified that interruptions could occur
in operations here because of the air humidity and
precipitations. Yet the secret of this robust construction
lies in the special wood used here. All the strips of wood
used here are of mirandi wood. This is a tropical wood
that is very resistant to weathering. "We have however
also used cuts that were leftovers from making window
frames" Lutz Sommer points out. This was thus an
acceptable solution from the ecological viewpoint,
continues the model railroader to counter any critical
opinion on using this material. A further works of art
worthy of mentioning include a tunnel of rock some
1.5 meters (59 in.) long and three wooden bridges.
What could still endanger railroading operations in the
garden? The plot of land is fenced in and is in a purely
residential area.
A view from the woods high up, over the station where a locomotive from
the Pennsylvania Railroad is just taking on water.
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Scene
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Layout Portrait
The trestle bridge is a self-built construction and is very robust.
It is even suitable for heavy freight trains.
There is a cat in the house. Occasional "tomcat visits"
across the track at Durango do not however present any
damage to the layout. The only problem sometimes is
hail. A few years ago the family car suffered during a
thunderstorm with dents in 176 places.
The layout suffered as well, and buildings from Pola and
Piko were damaged. The garden railroad enthusiasts
made the necessary alterations to the buildings to pursue
their Wild West theme for the layout. By the way, there
was never any alternative to this. All the models fall into
the category of adventure. It all started with the real
oldtimers passing by the men who set out in 1870 in
search of gold in the Rocky Mountains. On the way on
this very realistic route is an Indian village. Attacks by
Indians can only take place in the fantasy of the observer.
Modern American cars have been acquired as part of
expanding the layout. Greetings from Santa Fe!
The large fleet needs the appropriate exercising. It's not
just nice to look at and a layout should always holding
sidings. Always having to take the "numerous" cars from
the track was a bit of a nuisance. A room in the basement
of the house was therefore sacrificed for the holding
Lutz Sommer originally only wanted steam locomotives running on
his layout. Diesel locomotives are however running here as well.
There are a number of gradients to be overcome in the garden which is why there are many bends in the route on the way up the hill.
16
Scene
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Layout Portrait
The Shay has reached its destination. A provincial town grew here later around the station.
sidings. Nine trains can be parked here. There is only one
loop in the basement. This has been enhanced to include
sidings with a parallel track arrangement. The longest
useful track length measures 3.6 meters (141.7 in.) here.
Single locomotives and rail cars use the short sidings that
branch off from the actual loop.
The controls: The connection to the model layout is made
using so-called PIO cards (8-bit input/output). These
receive information from the relay boards or trigger the
relay switching stages as the output. One PIO card has
48 input/outputs, and Lutz Sommer uses three of these,
two of which are for the outputs. Evaluated as the inputs
are occupancy of a halting section and information about
the type of train (construction train, express train, freight
train, passenger train, cleaning train, etc.) The outputs
are the turnout switching, switching for the direction of
travel and the travel voltage, as well as releasing halting
sections. The control here can either be automatic
(programmed in BASIC) or in manual mode from a Turbo
Pascal Windows program from the mouse. Automatic
mode is usually used. Random automatic is available as
desired for switching the sidings layout.
Running operations will start in the spring. Trains will be
running until the leaves start to fall. There is an Open Day
held once a year. "We had to set this up for our neighbors
and the garden railroad enthusiasts who come here from
all over Germany. Interest was sparked off when I had the
20 tonnes of crushed stone delivered."
The model railroad is enjoyed on this public holiday by a
large circle of LGB enthusiasts. The owners of the layout
will gladly answer any questions the visitors may have.
The layout around Durango is operation until late in the
evening, together with talking shop and celebrating.
Difficult times for scandalmogers and nitpickers in this
joyous atmosphere because a model railroad should be
fun - and the Sommers still enjoy their magnificent LGB
layout just as much they did the very first day.
Text and photographs: Helge Scholz
17
Szene
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Ausstellung
Tips and Tricks: Cogwheel railroads
On the Furka Alpine route, rack-and-pinionsteam locomotives are in regular service
throughout the season from the middle of
June through to the beginning of October.
High up
Mountain railroads have always had a particular fascination for railroad
enthusiasts. Breathtaking are the very steep inclines that can only be
mastered with the help of rack rails. We give you valuable tips here for
realizing this as a model.
The transition from the flat
section into the gradient
is by "smoothing out" the
tracks, as can be seen here
on the Wengern Alpine
Railroad.
18
There are cogwheel railroads in many parts
of the world. These have been built where
adhesion no longer works because the wheels
will race on gradients that are too steep or
where there is a danger of the railcar slipping.
From an engineering viewpoint this problem
can start on dry rails at a gradient of 16
percent , and on much lesser gradients as
well when the rails are wet. In railroad
construction, gradients of max. three percent
generally became the norm for main routes not least because of the heavy loads being
pulled here.For mountain railroads having
more the character of branch lines, the value
is around seven percent.
As always, there are exceptions to the rule:
Cogwheel railroads are used where the
gradient exceeds the limiting value. There
are widely differing systems and hence
there are railroads with greater and lesser
gradients. The Pilatus Railway in Switzerland
is in this category of mountain railroads and
as the world's steepest railway in service for
passenger traffic, it manages as maximum
gradient of as much as 48 percent.
There are cogwheel railroads employing
both adhesion and cogwheel mode.
Included amongst these are for example the
Matterhorn-Gotthard Railroad (coming
from the Furka-Oberalp Railroad and the
BVZ-Zermatt Railroad). The MatterhornGotthard Railroad is well-known to LGB
enthusiasts, yet the passenger cars of the
world-famousGlacier Express travel from the
Matterhorn-Gotthard Railroad over to the
Rhaetian Railroad. There are modelsto match
to be found in the LGB program. Besides
this, there are purely cogwheel railroads that
Scene
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Tips and tricks
have the character of a mountain
railroad. With these types, all
of the track sections are fitted
withrack rail. Examples here are
the Schynige Platte Railroad and
the Wengern Alpine Railroad in
Switzerland. The rule applies for
those mountain railroads where
the gradients are particularly steep
that for safety reasons, the traction
unit principally must always be
coupled at the descent end of the
train to push the train forward.
ascend by max. 25 units upwards
over 100 units of distance. Please
note that the maximum value
has been given here. This value
is accordingly lower depending
on the number of cars making up
your train. Tight curves and dirty
or wet track will lower this value
even further. Therefore always
plan a margin of reserve when
constructing your cogwheel
routes so that the locos will not
"run out steam" on the way to the
summit.
The fun of running LGB models
The LGB program includes a
rail-and-pinion steam loco as
well as rack-and-pinion electric
locomotive, both of which are
always being offered in different
color schemes. These locomotives
have been modeled on originals
from the Ballenberg Steam
Railroad and the Schöllenen
A view of the rack-rail section of the model layout
Railroad. Matching rack rails are
showing the curve where this begins.
also available. They can be fitted
to standard LGB track relatively
easily.
When running a model cogwheel railroad,
there are a number of precautions to be observed. Principally the same advice as already
provided in the article "Tips and Tricks: Gradients" in issue 2/2010 applies here. Considerably steeper gradients are however possible
with cogwheel railroads. The LGB rack-andpinion locos can manage routes of max.
On the Schynige Platte railroad, the locomotive is
gradient 25 percent; this means the route can
always coupled to the car end facing downwards.
More reliable operation
The LGB rack-and-pinion locos
will run on routes both with
and without rack rails. Fit all
the cars that are to be used
on the rack-section with the
coupler hooks for rack-andpinion trains, item no. 64462. It
is furthermore recommended to
install symmetrical couplers with
hooks at both ends of the cars.
These measures will prevent
any unwanted uncoupling ofthe
train while in motion; especially
at places where the route transitions from a flat section to a
gradient and vice versa. Shorter
pieces of track should be used
to "smooth out" the transition
here. For the rack rail sections
there are racks 30 centimeters
(11.8 in.) in length (10210) and
the matching rack rail holders
(10220) available from LGB. The
latter are simply placed between the sleepers
in the curves with a minimum spacing of 15
centimeters (5.9 in.). The rack rails can then
pushed down into the holders until it locks
into position.
Incidentally, existing routes can be turned
into rack rails track in this way. Those
wanting to give their rack-and-pinion electric
locomotive a catenary connection will find
a tiltable catenary mast base (56303) in the
program that together with the matching
catenary masts, can be set up over the gradient
section. For flat sections please use the
standard catenary mast base (56302).
The cogwheel railroad as a model: The transition from the ramp to a not-so-steep ascent is
easily realized here.
Text and photographs: Thomas Bradler
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LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Mountains and valleys:
Attention to certain
details is needed so the
bridge will crown the
layout in the garden.
Erzehlendorf – A layout is born / Part 3
Bridges and tunnels
Up to now we have been busy laying track on the ground. Sometimes though,
there are elevations and depressions in the garden that can only be overcome
through a tunnel or over a bridge.
In our case the given slope is greater than
the maximum gradient of three percent
recommended for running a railroad in the
garden. And even the maximum gradientin
our own specification of two percent is
exceeded here. The route runs along an
embankment shortly after the turnout on
leaving "Eibenow" station. The terrain then
falls so steeply that the "valley" given in
this way can only be crossed by means
of bridges. This is realized by using two
commerciallyavailable LGB bridges (LGB
item no. 50610). Since the "valley" is also the
path between the garden and the tool shed,
the bridges have been constructed such that
when necessary, the effort required to take
the bridges out again is kept reasonable. The
location is then easy to pass - even with a
wheelbarrow.
The length of the LGB bridge is 1.20 meters
(47.2 in.). As there are two bridges and the
overall span is some 2.40 meters (94.5 in.).
The clear height is max. 41 centimeters
(16.1 in.). Frank Peter Pohl, the designer of
20
this layout, thus has to exercise his leg work
to get past the bridge. It got its name just
like the large-scale original. In this case not
without the reason: "Tripping bridge". And so
as not trip over the construction by mistake, it
can be illuminated. The view from the patio
is particularly enchanting.
Construction of the bridge
The foundations first have to be excavated
for the bridge pillars. An area of 20 times
20 centimeters (7.9 x 7.9 in.) to a depth of 30
centimeters (11.8 in.) will suffice for this. This
hole is then filled with concrete. The bridge
pillars are made from Styrodur (styrofoam).
This is also used as shuttering material
for house walls and is therefore resistant to
weathering. It is normally available in any
building center. Square blocks are cut
out from the styrofoam boards and bonded
together on top of one another using a
solvents-free adhesive (like for instance a
cement used for tiles). The bridge pillars are
narrower at the top compared to the base.
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
Still only in the gray color of concrete up to
now; paneling or structured plastering is in
the planning. Both bridges are only resting
on the piers. The necessary hold to prevent
slippingis provided from the track. To do this,
the track at the end of the route is screwed
down just before the end of the railroad
embankment at the lawn-edging curband is
also embedded in gravel. This is done on
both sides, that is to say left and right of the
bridge. The bridge and the fastened-down
track are connected together using rail
joiners that have threads. Also, the track is
screwed down on the bridge. These measures
will ensure the track position remains
sufficiently stable and will also prevent the
bridge from slipping. Rail joiners with threaded
connections are alsoused for the track between
the twobridges. This is necessary in any case
because each bridge is 1.20 meters (47.2 in.)
in length to be able to take the components
out later.
Service
Layout construction
The demands a bridge has on laying the track and on the cables needed for the power
are particularly high.
Routing the electrics correctly
Besides the track, cables for the traction
current and the accessories have to be routed
over the bridges as well. For these wires, detachable connections are needed for the transition from the railroad embankment to the
bridges, and for between the bridges as well.
Used here are insulated screw joints with
non-rusting parts inside as already described
in Part 2 of this series. These are fastened
out of sight underneath the bridge.
The cables are routed underneath the bridge
as well. These are securely fastened to the
bridge with commercially available cable
clips and small self-cutting screws.
So that the bridge can be taken out at any time, it is recommended to use rail joiners
with threads for the track as well as special cable connectors for the electrical connections. Only products with non-rusting parts in their interior should be used.
Second crossing: Self-built bridge
There is another bridge on the layout
between the junction "Holzenow" and the
end of the line at "Spitzbergen". This is a
self-built construction of brass, soldered
together and then painted over. Used here
for the abutments are bridge holders from
Pola G and accordingly modified. The length
of the bridge here is 90 centimeters (35.4 in.)
and the clear height is max. 34 centimeters
(13.4 in.). It has been made to fit in very well
with the surroundings and is also removable.
Laying the track and routing the cable were
carried out in the same way as already
described for the LGB bridge.
Track and cable between the bridges must be removable as well. The joiners used for
the cables and for the track should have threaded connections.
21
The cable connectors are initially laid out loosely over the route and are concealed later
in the terrain.
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
The different materials used are easily recognized here: The left tunnel portal is Styrodur, the right portal is concrete.
Tunnel under the patio
This tunnel exit has been given a concrete portal chosen from the program of a smallseries producer. The small house in front provides accommodation for the guard and at
the same time is the distribution substation for the cabling.
The tunnel portal for the Gauge-N line is a self-made construction using Styrodur.
The Wismar
22 rail bus from LGB provides the link with the rest of the world.
Our next challenge awaits us since
"Erzehlendorf" station is left of the patio and
the railroad line can only be routed on the
right to pass this. In the specification for the
layout construction Frank Peter Pohl has
specified that the route shall continue from
the patio area into the garden, whereby
partitioning of the lawnis not desired so as to
be able to cut the grass without any difficulty.
The optimum solution for this problem
assignment was found to be a "tunnel" under
the patio. This is where our concrete U-shape
blocks can be used again as this has already
asserted itself on many occasions as the
ideal building material for an LGB garden
layout. The patio has been constructed using
concrete structured garden slabs measuring
50 by 50 centimeters (19.7 x 19.7 in.).
Concrete U-shaped blocks are now positioned
in front of this such that the"U" is facing
upwards. Placement of these block is the
same as when laying lawn-edge stone: First
dig out a shallow, then add a layer of recycled
material, compact before adding a top layer
of paving sand for leveling. The concrete
U-shapedblocks can not be placed. The width
of these is 50 centimeters (19.7 in.), the length
40 centimeters (15.8 in.) and the height is also
40 centimeters (15.8 in.). The blocks are held
in place and cannot move because at the back
there is the patio, and at the front they are
secured by the soil and the lawn.
The tunnel is completed by covering the
concrete U-shaped blocks using flags. These
are simply placed over the open blocks. The
same material is used here that was used
when the patio was constructed. This gives
Service
LGB-Clubnews 03/2010
a tunnel that is some 4 meters (13.1 ft.) long.
The flags can be moved aside at any time
using a flagstone raiser available from any
building center. This is important for
maintenance work and in the event of a train
derailing. Not only that, animals often use a
tunnel as a den – or the ball might get inside
during a ball game.
Special note: The service flaps have to be
planned to be spaced 1 meter (39.4 in.) apart
and be wide enough to lift out a large LGB
model.
Layout construction
Tips for laying
Laying the track and routing the cables
The track is simply placed on the inside
surface of the upturned concrete U-shaped
blocks. Like for the bridges, the track at the
end in front of the tunnel is fastened to the
lawn-edging stone by a screw. Any additional
hold is given here by embedding the track.
This only works though for straight sections
of track. Those want a tunnel with bends
have to secure the track in the tunnel as well
because of the centrifugal forces acting here.
Routing the cable either to left or the right of
the track is straightforward as the concrete
U-shaped blocks are wide enough.
The flagstone raiser proves very useful
when work on the tunnel at short notice is
necessary.
This equipment is used for removing
the relatively heavy cover.
The tunnel portals
The railroad line to the right on exiting the
tunnel is concealed. There is therefore no need
to construct a tunnel portal here. This will of
course also make cost savings here. This is not
however the case on the other side. A concrete
tunnel portal from a small-series production
line is used here. Weather-resistant tunnel
portals made from Styrodur can however also
be found in the assortment from Noch.
In our case, a special note is appropriate
for the piece of track on the Gauge-N line. At
"Erzehlendorf" the feeder lineend terminates
in a dead end. The link between the big wide
world and our small narrow-gauge museum
station is depicted by a Wismar rail bus. The
line enters a tunnel immediately afterleaving
the platform. This as wellhas been realized
using concrete U-shaped blocks and flags for
covering, as already described. As the tunnel
opening lies a direct line of view, as tunnel
portal has been used here as well. This has
been made from Styrodur board. A structure
has been added using a soldering iron before
painting the portal in colors to match. A real
gem on any LGB railroad.
It's now easy to access the track. Thus for example, a locomotive that has been derailed
in the tunnel can soon be put back on the track.
The flagstone is then lifted back onto the concrete U-shape blocks and the outdoor railroading fun can continue.
Text and photographs: Thomas Bradler
23
Service
Angebote
Highlight: The Harzquerbahn
LGB Club-News 01/2010
The tourist attraction in the Harz and the LGB model
• Steam locomotives are the mark of the narrow-gauge railroad
in the Harz. They bring the greater part of the some 1 million
passengers to Brocken, Drei Annen Hohne and Gernrode
• With a weight of almost 65 tons (64 long tons) and 700
horsepower, these locomotives can meet the requirements of
everyday operations.
24
E 158270
• DR 99 as the first LGB model of a DR original for Era IV
• Painting and imprinting true to the original, reproduced driver's cab, DCC interface
• Lights that change with the direction of travel, two motors,
one multi-purpose socket. Steam generator with emissions
synchronized with wheel turning. Weight: 6 kg (13.2 lbs), length
over buffers 55 cm (21.7 in.)