Newsletter of the
PORT ELIZABETH MODEL RAILROAD CLUB Every gauge welcome!
April 2022
Two of the Pennsylvania RR’s finest approach each other on adjoining tracks in this classic steam era scene shared by Stan Carlson. The beautifully detailed autumn scenery and stone arch bridge capture the look and feel of the Pennsy in the 1950s.
IN THIS ISSUE: PEMRC Calendar Interrail 50
Committee
Meet Kris
From the Chairman
State of NMB Metro
Market Place
Train Shows
Track Planning – small shelf layouts
How long should a layout last? Two Mountains Rails & Ales Tillig Galleries: 1. Stan Carlson
An Alternative Timesaver 2. Ukraine
PEMRC Layout Visit
1
PEMRC Meetings/Workshops
PEMLS Event
PEMRC CALENDAR Date
Time
Sun
April
3
2022
9
April
9-13
April
PEMLS Public running day P E Model Locomotive Society Londt Park, Sunridge Park
9:00
2022 16
Detail
PEMRC visit at: Mike Parsons, 18 Mowbray St Newton Park
tba
PEMRC layout visit at:
2022 15-18
April
tba All day
2022 30
April
www.sandstone-estates.com 9:00
2022 Sun
May
1
2022
14
May
May
Workshop at Mike van Zyl 13 Lionel Rd, Walmer Downs
9-13
PEMLS Public running day P E Model Locomotive Society Londt Park, Sunridge Park
9:00
2022 21
Sandstone Easter 2022 Festival of Steam Trains
PEMRC visit at: Mike Parsons, 18 Mowbray St Newton Park
tba
PEMRC layout visit at:
2022 28
May
tba 9:00
2022 Sun
June
5
2022
11
June
Workshop at Mike van Zyl 13 Lionel Rd, Walmer Downs
9-13
PEMLS Public running day P E Model Locomotive Society Londt Park, Sunridge Park
9:00
2022
PEMRC visit at: Mike Parsons, 18 Mowbray St Newton Park
COMMITTEE 2022: Chairman: Mike Smout
ma.smout@mweb.co.za
082 801 1347
Treasurer: Attie Terblanche
terblalc@telkomsa.net
082 532 3670
Clubhouse: JP Kruger
juanpierrekruger@gmail.com
082 321 2233
Editor:
pemrailroadclub@gmail.com
082 739 7679
Workshop’ & Shop: Mike van Zyl
carpencab@gmail.com
073 374 3280
Layout visits: Graham Chapman
chapman22@telkomsa.net
072 103 4625
Library:
Roel van Oudheusden
Pierre van Loggerenberg pierrevanloggerenberg3@gmail.com
084 802 3831
Subscriptions for 2022 are R500 for the year. EFT is preferred, but the Treasurer may accept cash. Bank account: FNB Walmer Park, branch code 211417, Account no. 62386122057
VIEWING YOUTUBE LINKS EMBEDDED IN THE NEWSLETTER It may happen to you that when you want to open one of the embedded links in the newsletter to a YouTube film clip that you get this instead: Only they would know why it happens. Fortunately there is nothing to worry about – all you need to do now is to click on the blue button “Browse YouTube” and the selected video will open. Frustrating and confusing isn’t it?!@#$
R3892 VTEC, Class 91, Bo-Bo, 91111 'For the Fallen' - Era 10 It is estimated that the railway in Britain lost 20,000 men during the First World War. Many railway stations in Britain have a memorial to their sacrifice, listing the names of those who worked on the railway but never returned to their jobs when the guns fell silent. To mark the contribution of, and the lives lost by, regiments up and down the East Coast Mainline route during the First World War, East Coast held a ceremony at Newcastle station on 14 October 2014 to unveil 91111 in a special livery scheme created by designer Paul Gentleman with the new name of 'For the Fallen'. The nameplate of the locomotive bears the crests of regiments local to the East Coast route and 91111's livery depicts soldiers, artefacts and tributes commemorating the contribution they made to the war effort.
View video of 20 Years of Virgin Trains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8XBCj3BF8o
FROM THE CHAIRMAN The main thing on my mind at present is the Club Membership. I am well aware that many clubs have been hard hit by the Covid era and are struggling to get going again and the PEMRC is no exception. At present, three months into 2022, there are 8 members of our Club who have paid all or part of their annual subs. At the AGM in January the sub was set at R500 for the year and this amounts to some R40 per month which is not a lot of money. Further, two half year payments of R250 is acceptable and if someone wants to be a member of the club, and cannot afford the sub, then that person should talk to Attie our Treasurer or to me and we will make a plan. So if you are enjoying our first class monthly newsletter, and the free tea and coffee and modelling ideas at the meetings at the homes of Mike van Zyl and Mike Parsons, how about paying your subs. We plan to get going on the new Clubhouse this year and we need model rail enthusiasts who are prepared to put something in to the Club. It’s is easy to sit on the side lines and criticise the efforts of those who are working to re-build the Club. How about helping – and the starting point is to be a paid up member. Mike Smout
We do have a Club House!
This is the model built by Graham Chapman. Well done Graham. He also has a wonderful collection of wooden locomotives and coaches and other toys he has made.
MARKET PLACE
Members can advertise their model rail related items here for free; All others pay a 10% donation of the proceeds to PEMRC.
Mike van Zyl runs the PEMRC Shop and assists Christopher Beling to sell the model railway collection of his deceased dad Mike Beling. Contact Mike van Zyl on 073 374 3280 to view and make your offer. Contact Roel for any of the vast HO LIMA collection Megan Richards is selling of her late dad, Wayne Richards. The item lists have been sent to members on e-mail as well as to the WhatsApp group members.
Bob Hatherly 083 651 3537 is selling his HO Märklin Delta trainset. The tractor is missing but the additional track more than compensates for it. The set is in a very good condition. Offers around R4000.
Trainfest will be back for 2022 Bigger and better than ever! Kalmbach Media and the Great American Train Shows will partner to produce Trainfest 2022, the renowned national model train show. The event is scheduled to take place in November at a venue in the greater Milwaukee area. Details on the show will be announced later in March. “We are excited to have the show return after a two-year hiatus,” says Brian J Schmidt, Vice President of Operations with Kalmbach Media “We plan to make this year’s Trainfest one of the best ever.” Trainfest is America’s largest operating model railroad show and has almost 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and features up to 70 operating model railroads. It is a great event for families and hobby enthusiasts alike. There will be fun activities for kids, and up to 300 exhibitors, manufacturers, and retailers offering model railroad goods and products of all varieties. The Wisconsin South-eastern Division of the National Model Railroad Association has produced past annual events and this year agreed to license Trainfest to Kalmbach Media and the Great American Train Shows. Kalmbach Media is a creator of model train and train content through well-respected brands Model Railroader, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, and Classic Trains. Great American Train Shows produces over 40 model train shows annually of various varieties including Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show, Great Train Show, Great Midwest Train Show, and World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour. Combined Kalmbach and Great American Train Shows have a wide-reaching audience and vast experience in producing and executing train events. Wisconsin South-eastern Division of the National Model Railroad Association will continue to exhibit at the show. For more information on the event visit www.train-fest.com.
The National Train Show will be in St. Louis as part of the 2022 NMRA National Convention 12- 14 August 2022
Dream trains No shipping costs for combined orders of R2000 or more. Shop online and fill your cart, even if less than R2000, then contact PEMRC Graham Chapman, to combine your order with fellow club members and all will save.
YOUR PASS TO EUROPE FOR 50 YEARS The Interrail Pass was created as a one-time offer, encouraging European youths to explore their surroundings and bond over joint values and experiences. Since that time, over 10 million European travellers have followed their curiosity, broadened their horizons and connected to their shared European heritage and values across 250,000 km of tracks in 33 countries, and now we can mark this milestone together. With the continued expansion of the European train network, our developing
relationships
with
mobility partners, and growth of the responsible and sustainable travel movement, we believe that the Interrail Pass is on track to spark the curiosity of generations to come. We are just getting started. For 50 years, we have facilitated multi-stop rail travel across Europe. This timeline is a brief look at what we have accomplished in five decades of innovation, service and sustainability. 2022 – Our anniversary year Throughout
the
year
we
will
running lots of fun activities and competitions so check back for all the latest updates. We'd love to hear about your Interrail Pass experiences over the past 50 years! Check our dedicated topic in the Community to contribute.
MEET KRIS: EXPLORING EUROPE WITH A WHEELCHAIR
I'm a 23-year-old girl from the Netherlands. I'm in love with rainbows, animals, vegan food, different cultures, jokes and new adventures. Because of my illness and late diagnosis (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome), I missed out on school and having a social life for most of my childhood. But the day my wheelchair arrived, I chose to deal with my physical handicap and started the best journey of my life. Right now, with my backpack on my electric-powered wheelchair, I'm on my own and travelling through every country in Europe! I'm travelling by train so I can travel with the lowest climate impact and see more of every place I pass. I share my story and adventures on YouTube and Instagram to inspire people to look for the beautiful things in life. And damn, it's a big challenge, but life is definitely beautiful! So, I'm able to walk, but will use a wheelchair for long distances. I don't need any special facilities other than space for my wheelchair in the train and my accommodation (usually hostels). As I can't walk up long flights of stairs in my accommodation (usually hostels), I need a lift to get my wheelchair to my room, or use a downstairs bedroom if possible. I can walk up small flights of stairs, too, if I can store my wheelchair somewhere.
On the train, getting on and off with my wheelchair can be a real challenge. Some trains are accessible, but most of the time I need ramp assistance to get in. That's not something a lot of train companies are used to booking for solo backpackers like me! When I'm finally sitting in the train and then arrive at my next destination, it feels like a really exciting victory! I'm now on my way to Estonia after two months of travel through Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. These countries are a real winter wonderland - they were so beautiful! Now, my plan is to travel from the Baltic States to Eastern Europe, and then to the south of Europe. (This was written before the Russian invasion into Ukraine, Ed) Wherever the train stops, I will explore! I finally have the feeling that I can make my life a
good
one.
No
matter
the
challenge, I will make the very best of every day!
Mini World Models Shop online and use this special coupon to claim your unique
PEMRC
member
SORRY
STATE
OF
NMB
METRO
PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES by Kirstie Paulse published 9 Feb 2022 on AlgoaFM News Strand Street Train Station: Gqeberha © Kirstie Paulse: AlgoaFM News “Metrorail commuter trains running between Kariega (Uitenhage) and Gqeberha (PE) in Nelson Mandela Bay will not operate for at least another six to eight weeks. The rail service which also runs through Perseverance, Swartkops, New Brighton, and Sydenham was suspended on 7 January 2022. The corporation's spokesperson, Mimi Katsio, said the service was halted due to long-running network challenges, vandalism, and cable theft. "It is important for me to say that we are operating our train service on a Transnet network, we are not the network owner, so we depend on them to do the repairs," she said. Katsio also commented on the continued erratic train schedule which has led to thousands of commuters having to find alternative means of transport. "We are running on diesel locomotives and these have aged, so they are prone to have breakdowns and failures," she said. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) which owns 317 stations of the Metrorail's 468 stations is however working on a recovery program for the Eastern Cape. Katsio said they are looking at how they can resolve these issues. They are also continuing their engagements with Transnet to repair the infrastructure. "We give it six to eight weeks but if it stretches beyond that we will come back to notify commuters that the process is taking longer than anticipated." Commuters were informed that services are suspended on a WhatsApp group run by Metrorail early this year. However, several people who have since turned to the Algoa Bus service or taxis for alternative transport said they were unaware of what the issue is. Others highlighted their concerns about road safety due to reckless driving by some taxi drivers, while others said the financial implications were "heavy on the pocket." Train fares cost at least R9 for a single ticket to Gqeberha, while a taxi fare from the rank in Kariega to Gqeberha costs R25. Katsio said employees at the affected train stations have been sent for refresher training until the services resume.” On 15 March I wrote to PRASA for an update of the situation; but to date no response has been received – Editor. The Herald published this topical Derrick Nesbit cartoon on 23 March 2022:
HOW LONG SHOULD A LAYOUT LAST? by Lance Mindheim https://www.shelflayouts.com/post/how-long-should-a-layout-last I only had my East Rail switching layout for about five years before selling it. Even though I didn't keep it, it provided me with a tremendous amount of enjoyment.
How long should a layout last? The short answer, and a not very helpful one, is as long as it gives you enjoyment. Why bring the subject up in the first place? Because it has a direct impact on the approach you take to layout design. One of the largest segments of the hobby is the person that’s wanted a layout for decades and, due to life circumstances (typically family and career), has never been in a position to make it happen. When the stars align and the day arrives that having a layout becomes a real possibility, and it will, a sense of panic often looms over the design process. There is a sense that the design needs to be perfect, that you have been waiting decades and now that the time has arrived, you don’t want to “blow it”. Having that outlook is catastrophizing things a bit. Back in the day it was the norm for people to have lifetime layouts, ones that lasted decades. Hopefully we’ve gotten away from that. A layout doesn’t need to last forever to be successful, particularly for a first timer. As a first time layout builder it’s impossible to know what you don’t know. You don’t know your true interests as much as you think you do. You don’t have a sense of how long various construction tasks take and how hard (or easy) they are. You don’t know where the subtle land mines are. The only way to find out is to dive in, make your mistakes, and learn from them. Be open to the possibility that the first layout only needs to last three to five years. In addition to the enjoyment of building the layout and operating it, the biggest gift will be lessons learned. When it’s run its course there is zero downside to dismantling it and starting again applying the lessons learned. The cost of the second layout will only be a fraction of the first project because so many components can be re-used. Examples include: control systems, switch machines, turnouts, structures, trees, details, and rolling stock. You may even decide to use the same bench work footprint in which case the cost of lumber will be reduced on the second go around. When you go in with the attitude that your design doesn’t need to be perfect, then you unburden yourself and are less likely to drift into the swamps of design paralysis. By that I mean the common quagmire of going
years trying to come up with a beast that doesn’t exist, the “perfect design”. If you follow a few basic “best practices” whatever you come up with at least be buildable and trains will stay on the rails. •
Minimum radius of 24” for four axle power, 32” for six axle power and longer rolling stock
•
Number 6 turnouts
•
Grades not to exceed two per cent
•
Maximum reach in distance of 27”
•
Parallel track centres no closer than 2” on straights, 2 3/8” at a curve apex
•
Single deck
•
Use a template to make sure you’re drawing reflects the actual size and geometry of a turnout.
When you change your expectations towards “launching” and “learning” the pressure will be off and the day when you can actualize your lifetime dream will be much closer and more enjoyable.
DESIGNING SMALL SHELF LAYOUTS for OPERATING FUN by Philip Gliebe
1. The Time saver
2. The Inglenook
These are Switching “Puzzles” or Games; they lack prototypical operation – but wait, there’s more! “RULES & OPERATION” for the Inglenook (First published in the March 2020 newsletter) The object of the Inglenook Sidings shunting puzzle is fairly simple, the order for the shunting crew being: "Form a departing train consisting of 5 out of the 8 wagons sitting in the sidings." In addition (and this is where the "game element" of the puzzle comes in) the shunting order states: "The 5 wagons are selected at random." Alan Wright employed what he called the "Tiddlywink Computer" for this task, i.e. distinct tokens for each wagon drawn from a mug. No matter how these 5 items of rolling stock are determined, the order in which this happens is important because:
"The train must be made up of the 5 wagons in the order in which they are selected."
• The British (and European) Model Railroading Scene has developed the small shelf layout concept to a high degree - Motivated by little space for a large layout • Emphasis on exhibition Layouts that can be brought to Model Railroad Exhibitions and Shows • Focus on modelling one scene, specific place and time • Operational capability very important to keep the observers’ attention
End-of-the-Line Terminus. Fiddle Yard behind a backdrop – no need to extend the total length of the layout Sea side wharf/port scene – includes rail-water interchange!
L-shaped layout O scale narrow gauge 8ft x 5 ft. plus staging Fiddle yard or cassette staging off to the right Water – Rail Interchange Lots of freight switching and passenger operations
Overall layout size is 7ft 6” by 1ft 10”. Each grid square is 1 sq. ft. Both standard and narrow gauge (Hon30) Fiddle yard on the left is a 3-track sector plate Narrow gauge Railway transfer goods to standard gauge Railway.
Here is a point to point layout for those who want to have the utmost in a realistic effect. The theme is a Milwaukee Railroad branch line. You can integrate the Time Saver and/or Inglenook concept into your layout:
Plenty ideas to get started on a mobile exhibition layout!
“Two Mountains" This is not a shelf layout, but a compact two mountains N-scale design on 3 levels with 3 stations. The layout guarantees a varied driving operation. With three stations and two shadow stations there is always a supply of rolling stock. Through sidings in the tunnel area, the traffic between the three stations remains in flux - despite the outwardly single-track route. A total of more than 20m of track can be laid and driven on. The stations offer usable track lengths of over 65cm. This means that passenger trains with three long coaches can also find their place.
Level 2 Technical specifications • Length: 220 cm • Depth: 135 cm • Height: 45 cm • Material: 6 mm plywood • Prefabricated wooden panels for easy assembly of the landscape. • Two shadow stations each. One of them designed as a reversing loop. • Three train stations within sight www.konzept-bahnen.de
Level 1
Level 0
AN ALTERNATIVE TIMESAVER (from MIBA Sep.2018) Motivated by the HO dioramas "Nemerow Bad" by Alexander Pesch, "Franzburg" by Franz Rittig and Pinneberg by Reinhard Schlifke, Steffen Walther also planned the construction of a stage-style HO diorama. Because he attached great importance to intensive
station
and
shunting operations, he oriented himself on the famous John Allen’s Timesaver in a conceptual implementation by MIBA editor Lutz Kuhl. Instead of a pure replica, a completely new Timesaver variant was created. Peak activity in Allendorf: the ELNA locomotive 92 6494 of the DR (photo above) carefully pushes a flat car under the gantry crane for unloading. At the same time, 86 470 with a passenger train is waiting at the station building to leave, while the steam storage locomotive from the local factory is pushing a refrigerated truck on the loading track.
Operational break on the left part of the layout The steam storage locomotive has returned to the factory premises, while 92 6494 is waiting for new tasks at the goods shed.
Below: The design of small industrial dioramas allows (and requires) the creation of the smallest details, including realistic lighting, as here on the goods shed After years of building a prototypical H0 replica of my favourite
Rentwertshausen–Römhild
local
train,
showing it at exhibitions and presenting it at MIBA (see MIBA 1/2015), I had the desire to design something “small”. And why? I can best present my local train, which consists of several modules, in a meaningful and full length at exhibitions. However, they don't happen every day. But I also wanted to take advantage of a side of our hobby that seems just as important to me – having fun with model trains after work, in a small space at home, without the hassle of building it up.
This was again the fault of MIBA editor Franz Rittig, who had made me “ponder” with his train station
“Alt
Warnow”
(MIBA Special 67). When I then saw the mini H0
layouts
“Nemerow
Bad" (MIBA Special 91), "Pinneberg" (MIBA 10/2013) and "Franzburg" (MIBA 2/2016), I decided on a second layout, but one with lots of variety in operation.
As much activity as possible I didn't quite like the fact that these excellent layouts hardly allowed the extensive operation I wanted. I thought of varied manoeuvring movements that require constant thinking and a relaxing way to get away from the day’s stress. That was my goal. The best solution was found in the article "Classic shunting game as a freight yard" by Lutz Kuhl (MIBA Special 91).
Lutz Kuhl derived a small freight yard from John Allen's well-known shunting game, which was however limited to tracks and points. He designed it according to motifs from Nuremberg North, both in terms of the buildings and the landscape. The freight depot was built in the vicinity of a halt that is located on a continuous main track. This allows the track to be continued in both directions. Terminus in Thüringen Unlike John Allen and Lutz Kuhl, I had a terminus in mind. Meticulous fidelity to the original was not the order of the day, but rather an operationally intensive concept, I designed a terminus station with a factory connection, loading tracks and goods shed. The surroundings and reception building should, of course, be reminiscent of Thüringen. In order to commemorate the Californian model railway doyen John Allen, I named my station Allendorf, which also sounds like Thüringen.
Contact Chris Lourens: chris.modelscenic@gmail.com
Design and Construction In my design I integrated a background scenery and planned the lighting of the scenery. I divided the available layout area into two base frame parts of the same size of 1.0 x 0.5 m each, provided
for
accommodate
a the
rear
wall
to
background
scenery and an upper end (a kind of cover”) as a dust protection and carrier of a light source. At the front, removable acrylic panes (in aluminium profiles) should protect against dust and unwanted access (at exhibitions). For the four walls at home, I thought of a shelving system with wall rails and brackets from the hardware store. I had the necessary wooden elements, which are consistently 12 mm thick, precisely cut to size, as well as the acrylic glass panes. The aluminium profiles, as I needed them with the dimensions 1500 x 20 x 20 mm, had to be made because the hardware store could not help immediately within its range. The individual parts were screwed together and additionally glued. Two M6 screws with wing nuts connect the boxes on the inner end faces. A 40 mm hole accommodates the nine-pin electrical connector. Where screw connections did not seem optimal to me, as in the case of various aluminium strips, I used (successfully) power adhesive. The underside of the "layout cover" was fitted with a 5 m LED strip for lighting, which was glued on. The power supply for this could be fed from the side via a plug-in power supply unit with 12 V DC voltage. Track laying and design Up to this construction phase I had not yet laid any tracks. However, the conception of a track plan with many operating points and the numerous possible shunting trips with them already existed - as an exciting "mental cinema" in which a factory, two goods sheds, a gantry crane, a loading gauge and a weighbridge as well as the station building appeared. The track plan was created by using various switches and track sections as templates for paper templates, with which I "empirically" pushed the track and switch positions together. I made sure that no switch came to rest on the dividing line of the two boxes. While the Elite brand from Tillig was used for the tracks, the switches were made with sleeper gratings from Weller. However, the track plan shown on p.22 is based entirely on the Elite track. The points are set mechanically with the help of 2 mm welding wire. It is guided in terminal blocks, which I mounted on aluminium brackets below the layout.
A toggle switch takes care of the frog polarization and keeps the tongues of the points in their final position. The layout is only intended for digital driving operation. In the visible area, hand levers and Weinert lanterns were attached to each switch, the latter being movable. On the doubleslip (DKW) there are only one-sided turnout lanterns - I found a picture on the Internet that proves this "one-sidedness". Models from Weinert, Tillig and self-made ones were used as buffer stops.
A total of seven LED-based wall lights provide realistic light at the reception building and the goods shed. For this I used ready-wired warm white LEDs 0603, which I connected in series with an additional diode and resistor (5 kΩ). There are Viessmann lights in the platform area of the train station. I would now like to “bring some of the many smaller scenes to life”, i.e. make them movable. Steffen Walther
Wall of the Tillig Modellbahn Galerie & Museum
Never worked with Tillig track?
GALLERY Stan Carlson
A fogging machine was used to create the atmosphere for this image
Ukraine
From right to left can see the steam locomotive Er799-18, diesel locomotives ChME3T-7238, ChME3-1990 and steam locomotive Er798-71. Photographed by Yuriy Slyusar on 20 Feb. 2022 Train
in
honour
of
the
Independence Day of Ukraine. The steam locomotive is owned by the Association for the Preservation of the History of Ukrainian Railways © Aleksandr Leventiy taken on 24 Aug.2021
Steam locomotive Er799-18 (0-5-0) with Christmas train Kyiv-Pasazhyrsky – Darnytsya. This steam locomotive wears the unique paint scheme which is stylized under the theme of Christmas. Photographed on 8 Jan. 2022 © Yuriy Slyusar
On 19 January 2021 the rapidly electric train Ekr1-001 Tarpan goes on route #744743 from L'viv – Darnytsya © Yuriy Slyusar
The electric train Hyundai Rotem over Dnipro River from Darnytsya to Kyiv-
HRCS2005 crosses the Darnytsky Pasashyrsky. © Yuriy Slyusar
railway bridge