Switch to HO, kinda

[engineshop]

For the last 30 years, I have been a N-Scaler, and for almost 20 years, Southern Pacific and Northwestern Pacific were my railroad of choice. A few years ago, I switched my focus to the bigger scale but also made the jump over the ocean, back to my home country of Switzerland. On top of that, I decided to model a narrow gauge mountain railroad company (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn) instead of the busy Swiss federal railroad system.

The scale is HOm (1000mm track spacing) which is know here in the US as HOn3.5. The MGB (not the car but the railway company) is located in the southern part of Switzerland runs right through the Alps. Its most famous train is the Glacier Express which the company runs together with another private company (RhB).

I am building a 2 level point to point layout from the city of Visp to the tourist town Zermatt.

For members never heard of this company, here are some impressions:











My layout covers a 18 x 18 feet garage.
(Photo links only work on my web site: www.mgbahn.net, German and English text)







I started with the lower level with the Visp station a few weeks ago and decided to take this opportunity to post on this forum again. I hope, it wakes some interests for the European railroad scene.

[James Costello]

Good to see you modelling again Roland! Welcome back.

[peteski]

Roland, didn't you know that on the Railwire you aren't allowed to switch from small (T, Z and N) to large scales (H0 and larger)?!  I suspect that the moderators will be punishing you soon! 

You do realize that instead of going up to H0m, you could have gone down to Nm?  Sure, that would require more scratchbuilding, but that means it would also keep you very busy and having lots of fun! 

Seriously though, your new modeling interest looks like lots of fun!  Your new layout, like most Swiss railways,  will be very picturesque.  Enjoy!

[engineshop]

Peteski
Nm would have been nice, unfortunately a lot of the MGB rolling stock is only available in HOm but none in Nm. I would have to build each piece from scratch, which would be beyond me. I rather put my effort into the layout and the many buildings.

This is my first lasercut attempt of one of the buildings.



I still have to paint/stain it to look like the original.

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow.  Welcome back to the fold Roland.  I'm not really moved by your choice of prototype, but I'm thrilled to see your modeling work again (of any prototype)!  Great station.

-Gary

[JoeD]

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Joe

[peteski]

Peteski

This is my first lasercut attempt of one of the buildings.

Those are superb models!  I love all the details! Are those kits or did you also design them and had them laser-cut out of wood?

[DKS]

Those are superb models!  I love all the details!

+1 Could not agree more. While the prototype is not one I would choose, either, I can appreciate fine modeling such as this. And I can see a lot of laser time going into this; you almost don't need to paint it.

[engineshop]

I designed the station myself and it is actually laser cut out of Taskboard, regular cardboard and cardstock.

[peteski]

Now that is a great way for scratchbuilding!  You take model railroading to a new level! My hat's off to you!

[engineshop]

The first Fast Tracks built switch is installed. I use mini-servos and Tam Valley Driver for switching. Unfortunately the ties are to close together for European standards but I hope nobody notice after ballasting.

[GaryHinshaw]

Looks good.  How do you like the Tam Valley servos?  Do you have a picture of the underside you could share?  I'm at a very similar stage of my build....

[milw12]

Roland,

To say I have a soft spot for European railroading would be an understatement. Your depot looks great, and I can't wait to see your layout progress. I'll be following this thread with interest.

-Lucas

[engineshop]

Gary

The Servo Mount is my own construction. Nothing fancy just easy to adjust and possibility to add a micro end switch for polarity reversing for the frog.
This one is still made out of plywood.



The new ones are cut out of 1/8 acrylic.

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks Roland, that looks great.  I agree the design is simple, but the execution (laser-cut plywood) qualifies as "fancy" in my book. 

-Gary