What did you order or the post deliver? (Worldwide Models)

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Ooh yes. The ESU models are fabulous. A couple of club colleagues have some (including the 151, E94 and 218) and they are definitely top-notch with their detailing, performance and sound. I have the VT858 rail car in DRG red and cream.

 

I don't tend to use the smoke function as the effects are a little crude...mainly due to 1:1 smoke emitting from a 1:87 loco. It is a bit of a crowd pleaser at shows however.

 

Currently saving up for the epoch IV Ludmilla...a belated birthday present! 

[chadbag]

The European train Christmas in February / March is soon at an end as well.  A package came unexpectedly from an order I placed at a cool shop in Holland today (N-spoor.nl) a few weeks ago.   One more "large" order is outstanding at Modelbahn Kramm (mostly freight cars and some DR passenger cars), waiting since a few weeks for 2 backordered items, plus one order at a place in NY that I am not sure will be filled as they have not been too responsive, and a couple individual used eBay engines, and a box arriving tomorrow that is mostly D&H decoders and similar, though it has a couple freight cars as well, from Modelbahn Lippe.

 

Here is the stuff that came today from Holland.   Two engines of the DB class E10 / 110.  One Fleischmann E10 in blue, and one HobbyTrain 110 in beige/green-blue.   Both run well and have the 6-pin decoder interface built in.  3 Brawa Nahverkehrswagen (local train passenger cars), a bunch of Fleischmann cars, including from Austria and Holland, and a KATO SBB Swiss passenger car.

 

[lighthouse]

Hi, nice bunch of cars! to understand, the 3 Brawa Nahverkehrswagen also ran after the reunification of Germany in East Germany. The suitable locomotives are the BR143, BR109 / 142, BR 155 (old color scheme), BR232. Occasionally the cars also came to West Germany, but there near to East Germany

[chadbag]

26 minutes ago, lighthouse said:

Hi, nice bunch of cars! to understand, the 3 Brawa Nahverkehrswagen also ran after the reunification of Germany in East Germany. The suitable locomotives are the BR143, BR109 / 142, BR 155 (old color scheme), BR232. Occasionally the cars also came to West Germany, but there near to East Germany

 

Thanks for the info!   I'll probably just hook them up to whatever loko I have as I am not trying to be über-prototypical for now.  I may pick up a BR155 or BR143 one of these days when I get more prototypical and am expanding the fleet.

 

I have some Brawa DR marked beige/green cars on order.  When I lived in Bayern in 87 we sometimes saw these cars in DB trains coming from Hof to Munich, mixed in with the normal DB cars.   So I figure an occasional one of those mixed with the standard Eilzug beige/green DB cars of that period would be ok.

 

The Wikipedia article on these card (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halberstädter_Mitteleinstiegswagen) was interesting to read.

 

[serotta1972]

Another like item - Marklin HO E10. :)

 

[chadbag]

5 minutes ago, serotta1972 said:

Another like item - Marklin HO E10. :)

 

 

The Fleischmann one I have is a later version  with the "crease" or "Bügelfalte" foreend and the locomotive running number between the buffers.  The one I had ordered was actually more like this one you are showing but the guy was out and I asked him to substitute this one as it is similar and it was in stock...

 

Here is my stable of Class 110 / E10 locomotives.

 

From left to right, a HobbyTrain BR110, Fleischmann E10 "museum livery", HobbyTrain BR110, Fleischmann E10.  The two rightmost ones have the "crease" front section.

 

[lighthouse]

48 minutes ago, chadbag said:

I have some Brawa DR marked beige/green cars on order.  When I lived in Bayern in 87 we sometimes saw these cars in DB trains coming from Hof to Munich, mixed in with the normal DB cars.   So I figure an occasional one of those mixed with the standard Eilzug beige/green DB cars of that period would be ok.

 

 

What you saw there 1987 was a typical Interzonenzug, a train between the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany. This train was always driven in the mix of DB and DR wagons.

[chadbag]

7 hours ago, lighthouse said:

 

What you saw there 1987 was a typical Interzonenzug, a train between the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany. This train was always driven in the mix of DB and DR wagons.

 

Ah, cool.  I thought it was something like that but did not know of the specifics or name.   Reading up on them on Wikipedia now.  Thanks.

[serotta1972]

8 hours ago, chadbag said:

 

The Fleischmann one I have is a later version  with the "crease" or "Bügelfalte" foreend and the locomotive running number between the buffers.  The one I had ordered was actually more like this one you are showing but the guy was out and I asked him to substitute this one as it is similar and it was in stock...

 

Here is my stable of Class 110 / E10 locomotives.

 

From left to right, a HobbyTrain BR110, Fleischmann E10 "museum livery", HobbyTrain BR110, Fleischmann E10.  The two rightmost ones have the "crease" front section.

 

 

Very nice!  I want one in the red livery.  

[chadbag]

12 minutes ago, serotta1972 said:

 

Very nice!  I want one in the red livery.  

 

In N scale, the HobbyTrain red livery 110 is typically the cheapest available at 75-8x Euro (new).   But unless you want a lot of stuff, in most cases the shipping will kill you.  DM-toys.de has it for 89.99 Euro and 10 Euro shipping and  Modellbahn Lippe has it for 75.55 Euro but 27.50 Euro shipping.   Lippe sends UPS express saver which to the US is about 2-3 days.   DM toys uses DHL WeltPaket, which is basically a SAL Packet type service I think and takes about 10-14 days to the US (can vary widely).  These get addictive -- as addictive as the Japanese trains (at least f you have some sort of connection to Germany).

 

ETA::  HobbyTrain has another cream/green 110 with a flat face, and a creased face 110 (10.4) in cream/red.   Both of those will eventually show up here, though it may take a while.  One is on order with a US store but I think will never get filled.   

 

The red livery are my "least favorite", but only because most of my time spent in Germany was the dual color cream/red or cream/blue or green time, and often solid green or blue could be seen.  I did visit for a 3 week Eurailpass tour in 90, which is the Orientrot time IIRC, and lived 50 miles outside of Munich 91-93, but during that time I had a car so did not ride many trains, though I saw them.  So I don't have as much emotional connection to the red liveries or the more modern trains.

 

For me, model trains are about the emotional connection to the land -- Japan or Germany -- as well as the memories they bring back.   I have no interest in American trains at all as I have no connection to them emotionally.   And this is why I don't mind fudging some on the prototypical running of the trains.  I "try" and be prototypical, but will cut corners that only the die-hards will even know are a concern.

 

Edited March 9, 2018 by chadbag

[chadbag]

UPS brought the last Modellbahn-Lippe order.  Except for a couple used eBay locomotives and the MB-Kramm (which is mostly freight cars) order that has been backordered for a few weeks, this should be the last of the Euro stuff for a long while I think.

 

This is mostly DCC electronics and accessories/decoders but included 2 freight cars.

 

I had one Fleischmann DB gondola car for my German freight.  Now I have three!  (two Era V and one Era IV which was used into V).   (In the pics, the larger brown gondola car and the BR120 and BR151 locomotives I already had and were not new today -- they are just there to pose with the two new cars).

 

2x ROCO WLANmaus controllers.   Based on my research these should work with the Digikeijs DR5000 command center.  We'll see...  Also got a Trix cleaning brush.   You put it down on the track, and the brush gets electrified to cause the wheels to turn.   Have not tried it out yet.  Some Digikeijs adapters that will work with KATO turn outs and the Digikeijs switch control module I already have, a bunch of PD05A, DH05 and DH10 motor decoders, and another FH05 multi function decoder with a SH10 sound module that will hook to it as I want to play with some sound and that will let me build a sound car.  And I got the D&H F.C.C. DCC command module. I really wanted the D&H programmer but it was out of stock, and with the 15% off sale MB-Lippe was doing it was not much more to get the command module, which will function as a programmer as well.  And I have a second command module now I can use if I set up a separate layout.  (The track in the picture I already had and is for testing and photographing stuff).

 

Now with the new decoders I can start converting my KATO (and maybe Tomix) freight engines to DCC, as well as a bunch of my Fleischmann/Arnold used DB engines, and an older KATO 683 Thunderbird and the 885 "Sonic" I recently got...  We'll see how long the decoder stash lasts...  

 

Edited March 9, 2018 by chadbag
D&H

[gavino200]

8 hours ago, chadbag said:

UPS brought the last Modellbahn-Lippe order.  Except for a couple used eBay locomotives and the MB-Kramm (which is mostly freight cars) order that has been backordered for a few weeks, this should be the last of the Euro stuff for a long while I think.

 

This is mostly DCC electronics and accessories/decoders but included 2 freight cars.

 

I had one Fleischmann DB gondola car for my German freight.  Now I have three!  (two Era V and one Era IV which was used into V).   (In the pics, the larger brown gondola car and the BR120 and BR151 locomotives I already had and were not new today -- they are just there to pose with the two new cars).

 

2x ROCO WLANmaus controllers.   Based on my research these should work with the Digikeijs DR5000 command center.  We'll see...  Also got a Trix cleaning brush.   You put it down on the track, and the brush gets electrified to cause the wheels to turn.   Have not tried it out yet.  Some Digikeijs adapters that will work with KATO turn outs and the Digikeijs switch control module I already have, a bunch of PD05A, DH05 and DH10 motor decoders, and another FH05 multi function decoder with a SH10 sound module that will hook to it as I want to play with some sound and that will let me build a sound car.  And I got the D&H F.C.C. DCC command module. I really wanted the D&H programmer but it was out of stock, and with the 15% off sale MB-Lippe was doing it was not much more to get the command module, which will function as a programmer as well.  And I have a second command module now I can use if I set up a separate layout.  (The track in the picture I already had and is for testing and photographing stuff).

 

Now with the new decoders I can start converting my KATO (and maybe Tomix) freight engines to DCC, as well as a bunch of my Fleischmann/Arnold used DB engines, and an older KATO 683 Thunderbird and the 885 "Sonic" I recently got...  We'll see how long the decoder stash lasts...  

 

 

 

Chad, I'm enjoying watching you build your collection. But I'm getting 'curiouser and curiouser' about what you're building. Are you constructing some kind of mega giant basement empire layout? Do you have a blueprint for how it will look? 

[chadbag]

1 hour ago, gavino200 said:

 

Chad, I'm enjoying watching you build your collection. But I'm getting 'curiouser and curiouser' about what you're building. Are you constructing some kind of mega giant basement empire layout? Do you have a blueprint for how it will look? 

 

Right now there is no layout :)   Just a lot of engines, trains, wagons, etc. :)

 

We occasionally set up on the kitchen table and run a few things.   I will be starting an approximately 4x8 layout (frame with foam top) that I will suspend from the ceiling in my basement, since there is no room in this rented house.  I will use it to experiment with and learn DCC wiring, some modeling skills, etc.   And the kids and will run the trains on this layout.  We plan on building a new home (we've been renting a small house the last 10 years) in 2020 (move in Fall 2020).   It should have a large room dedicated to trains.  Very large.  I will then start a sectional layout that will be mostly Japan based, and a corner Germany based, and a big long bridge connecting the two :).  In the mean time I need to learn about wiring layouts for DCC, operations, etc. and get proficient at my modeling skills.  

 

Since model railroading for me is the emotional connection to where the trains come from, the train collection helps satisfy that just looking and displaying them and running them for fun.   As I learn and build I will be able to make a half decent layout as time goes on, until I die :).  I expect that the work on the layout(s) will last that long once we move into the new house.  I have sworn it is the house I will die in.  And I will probably rebuild, redo, and rebuild parts of the layout over and over as I learn new things or want to try new things.

 

I hope to make the layout "time agnostic" to a certain extent so that I can run early JR / late JNR stuff as well as modern stuff on it and everything won't look too out of place.  Maybe not at the same time, but depending on the mood.  Same on the European side.

 

I tend to overdo thing anyway, as well :)

[Suica]

Lucky find at my local model train market today:

 

Arnold DR BR 95 and some Halberstädter UIC-Z coaches

[oenckie]

Hi all,

 

The last weeks I added two European trains to the collection:

 

Firstly a Dutch Olympic Koploper, pictured together with a Japanse sister:

 

Secondly a Dutch Thalys, pictured together with a SNCF sister:

 

Very happy i found both!

 

Train save all, regards,

 

Marco

[chadbag]

I did a test order of an Arnold engine from amazon.de .   The shipping charge at their slowest service was 2,04 Euro to the US!  The engine, without VAT, was only 97,42 Euro and they had a 10% off promotion so it came to 87.68 Euro plus 2.04 Euro shipping.  2 1/2 weeks estimated shipping time.

 

The engine itself is a DR BR252, of which only 4 were ever made.  This has the DR markings, not the later DB markings when it was the DB Class 156.   This is one of those engines that became ready after unification but before the Bahn reform of '94.   While probably not prototypical, I'll use it to pull my DR cars around.

 

Unfortunately there is not that much train stuff on amazon.de that is sold by Amazon, and even less that is priced reasonably.  (For this engine, the Modellbahn Lippe price without VAT was like 107 Euro).  We'll se how this test goes as amazon.de could become a place to check for deals once in a while when the need hits.  For train stuff Amazon.co.jp has Amazon.de beat.

 

[Wonderbolt]

Picked up a nice class 47 for a good price from the Severn Valley Railway, my first N BR locomotive

[serotta1972]

An American loco of European descent. :)  The new HO Atlas ALP-44 with ESU Loksound.

 

 

 

[Kiha66]

37 minutes ago, serotta1972 said:

An American loco of European descent. :)  The new HO Atlas ALP-44 with ESU Loksound.

 

Its so ugly, you cant help but like it!  Nice model.

[chadbag]

Found this on eBay.  Minitrix ICE-V set.  There are two additional wagons that can be bought for it.  This is the experimental ICE that lead to the ICE-1 train, as I understand it.   While living Germany in 86 (lived Mar 86-Dec 87 in various cities), I was sitting on a train in Offenburg, waiting to go to Freiburg for a meeting, when the ICE-V pulled in on a demonstration tour stop.  I could hardly believe what I was seeing (remember, this is 1986).   

 

So when this came up on eBay for a "reasonable" price (better than other ones I'd seen) I decided it would be a good addition.  It is very nice looking and well made.  And in good condition.

 

For some reason it only drives in one direction.  If I flip the train around on the track, I have to switch the power pack direction as well to get it to go again. It always goes "forward" for whatever direction the power car is pointing.   Like the reverse current is being blocked by an electronic component.   I'll see if insulating the motor and bypassing the on-board electronics with a DCC decoder doesn't fix it.

 

[Welshbloke]

Well, my Ge 4/4 II has apparently reached the post office (where it's being held for ransom or as they call it VAT). Won't be able to pick that up until Monday.

 

Good find today though, a tidy Fleischmann Br.218 with a fried DCC decoder for £25. Cut the plug off the decoder and used it to make a blanking plug, it runs fine on DC with directional lighting. Needs oiling around and a good running session. It was presumably in a starter set as it lacks a flywheel and has slightly simplified paint, like the one I bought in a set about fifteen years ago.

[gavino200]

I picked up a few second hand HO trains. They're for running on the floor on temporary layouts. 

 

A Piko ICE. Missing a few roof details but otherwise looks good and runs great.

 

 

Also, an interesting little Trix electric loco, and a little steamie that was dirt-cheep but runs great.

 

 

[Welshbloke]

Recovered my Ge 4/4 II from the state highwaymen:

 

 

First impressions: It's a tiny gem of a model. Little bit growly but nothing like as bad as my second GE 4/4 III which resonates loudly at some speeds. Circulating with the eight coach train of EW I stock at the moment.

[chadbag]

Over the last couple weeks a few things showed up.  Mostly eBay purchases and my one Amazon.DE try.

 

The ICE-V is a second one I bought piecemeal.  Sold as "defective" since the coupler pieces were missing so it was much cheaper.  The car is a different one than I already have, and I have another piece from eBay (another driving car, supposedly defective, for spare parts, but includes the coupler) so I will be able to use this new car and my existing car and have 2 of the three prototypical cars for the ICE-V.

 

The  red Arnold DR engine is my Amazon.DE try.  After 10% discount due to some sort of promotion they had, it was like 87.xx Euros new and the slow boat shipping was only a hair over 2 Euro.  There were only 4 Prototypes made and they actually entered service after the unification but before the DB/DR marriage in the "94 Bahnreform".  They were later painted in DB colors and later sold off to MEG and are in use by them.   The class is DB 156 under the DB.  They made only 4.  I have some DR marked passenger wagons showing up eventually (green/cream) which I will run, or just run the DB marked DR type wagons I have in mint green.

 

Taking the body shell of the DR BR252 is a bit interesting.  The instructions say to remove the 4 buffers from the ends and then pull the shell off.  Great, more things to lose.   I removed the buffers, but have not gotten the shell off yet.  It has a decoder interface for NEM651 decoder so I will need to get it off eventually...  I did pull one of the trucks apart trying to get the shell off.  Luckily it snapped back together easily.

 

All the random freight type cars are just used ones I found at reasonable price from the same guy so that shipping per car was negligible.

 

[Welshbloke]

A lucky find in a tiny model shop in west Wales. There was a box of assorted old N marked "Locos £5, Coaches £4, Wagons £3". Yes, this loco cost me £5!

 

 

It runs. Bit growly, needed a good clean and could do with new brushes. It's an old brass geared Farish loco. Couplings are not original but will be replaced eventually, I have one spare of the right vintage. Also picked up an open wagon, a van and a 4w GWR brake coach from the same production era, the coach now has Peco couplings in an effort to keep it attached.

 

Also went a bit mad with Minitrix on ebay. There's a tidy, unboxed, running Ivatt 2-6-0 in need of a service and a tidy boxed black 9f on the way to me.