| Layout - (1) The Layout of Michael Frömmel's - |
| In this page, we introduce a layout built by Michael Frömmel. He is a fan of era III, so the layout presnts Wurttemberg in the late fifties. Wurttemberg locos and vehicles are suit to this layout, but of course DRG locos and vehicles which came to Wurttemberg and Bundesbahn's railbuses are suit, too. |
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The layout is in a room, which is approx. 3x3 m. It has been built during the last years, the main station is left from my former layout and recycled. The whole layout consists of parts, which are max 0.8x1.2 m each. As I am a fan of Wurttembergian railways the layout is settled there. So, I am allowed to use typical Wurttembergian vehicles, such as the famous class C (DRG: class 18.1), the star of Wurttembergian railways and in my opinion the most beautiful loco ever built. Other Wurttembergian vehicles are class T5 (DRG: class 75.0) and Wurttembergian T3 (DRG: class 89.3). There are also some Wurttembergian coaches in service on my layout. The time is about 1956-1959, because this assumption allows to use both, older vehicles of the former state railways (such as mentioned above) and some newer, which were built by the Deutsche Bundesbahn (e.g. V 200.0, Schienenbus, steam locos class 23 and 82). The layout shows a single track main line in a mountainous and wooded landscape. If you leave the fiddle yard "by train", that is tunnel B on the layout-map, you first pass a long wall on the left side. The steep gradient means heavy duty for steam locos and they often need support by a second loco when hauling long freight trains. After passing a signal the trains enter tunnel A, where they get the possibility to cross another train, which is on the way to the fiddle yard. Leaving tunnel A the tracks cross a road and then reach a small station "Neidhoehle", only consisting of a platform. Longer trains are not able to stop here, but nevertheless the station is well frequented, because from there you can reach a small castle, on the top of a hill. So, lots of excursionists stop here, especially on weekends. After leaving that station and another short tunnel there is a long turn right and passing the depot on your right hand you reach the station of "Nibelheim". Nibelheim is a terminus station and all trains have to change their loco. So there is a small depot with turntable (Roco), where the locos can get coal and water and the drivers are able to spend the night if they don't have to immediately carry a train back. The engine shed gives place for three long locos (or even two tender locos each) and one small loco (that's class 89.3). There is additional place for some locos outside the shed. Some locos for local traffic are stationed here: class 52, 82, 93.5 and a Wurttembergian T3 for shunting. There is an additional branch line starting in Nibelheim, the tracks leave the main line near the depot and disappear in tunnel C. But the traffic is only held up by a Schienenbus. The city of Nibelheim itself shows lots of old buildings. The most important is the monastery, the large white/grey building on the pictures. The monastery's church burnt down in the last century and was replaced by a neo-Gothic one. The following trains are actually in use: Heavy freight trains (Durchgangsgueterzuege): class 44, 52 Local freight trains (Nahgueterzuege): class 56.25, 82, 93.5 F-trains (express, F-Zuege): class V 200.0, 23, 03, only if rerouted Stopping trains (Eilzuege): class 03, 18.1, 23, 38, 39 Local trains (Personenzuege): class 18.1,23, 38, 82, 93.5, compartment coaches, thunderboxes etc. Push-pull-trains (Wendezuege): class 78, 65, thunderboxes I use Maerklin's Digital Command Control by Motorola. Locos of the following manufacturers are in use: Maerklin, Fleischmann, Roco, Piko, Brawa. All tracks are Maerklin's K-track in track ballast "Porphyr" (ASAIR by Noch). Signals are by Maerklin (older) ans Viessmann (actually, very excellent stuff and not too expensive). Well, the layout is quite complete, but are some smaller parts which still have to be finished: the station of Nibelheim (partially) and some buildings are not complete yet. And, of course, I still have to do some detailing, e.g. painting the rails. When I have done this, I would be interested in building vehicles from kits. And don't forget to build a show-case. So there is enough work for the next time. P.S. Maybe you noticed, that the station names are taken from Richard Wagner's operas. Please give me your opinion or impression or question by e-mail to (froemmel@gif.uni-hannover.de) |
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