Agenda

~ 2019 ~

8.4.2019

Last Saturday I was at my dealer's for some big - then again, I mean: r e a l l y b i g ! - shopping due to my Cochemer Bahn Renovation plans.

Two boxes of 'Seemoos', vegeatation and a box with fir trees from Noch (24350), balsa wood for making a bridge construction, water materials for a pind and waterfall,

wall profiles, Roco line 900 mm track for the new "Rheinstrecke"-show case, and... and... and...

Then, the 2nd Märklin Insider locomotive, BR 65 012, was at hand for me to purchase.

Märklin 39650

Finally... after many years of consideration... I decided to get rid of my old Märklin stuff and change it for the ESU control ECoS 50210:

ESU 50210

Besides my shopping (with great help of Sander!), my Märklin 3311 is going to be digitalized by Sander with sound and white LED's.

And last not least, in between I did a photoshoot. More pictures will be added both here and ad loci...

Fleischmann 481873

Märklin 26609

Fleischmann 412401

Märklin 29527

31.3.2019

In stead of all kinds of separate pages with various items, I decided to tell (the rest of) the Story of the Renovation of my Cochemer Bahn in one single file:

T h e R e n o v a t i o n J o u r n a l

29.3.2019

Although it isn't in my line at all to order via eBay or occasions, I couldn't resist ordering these three gems.

The Fleischmann cars 5842 and 5843 were 1987 limited editions.

Fleischmann 5842

Fleischmann 5843

Under the brand name 'Prefo' a fine Württemberg beer van 600 203 "Hasenbrauerei Saulgau" was released by Brawa as Limited Edition in 2007.

Unfortunately the dealer - J. M. in Dr. - didn't mention the fact that the Prefo car had wheels with very high profile flanges (AC?); therefor I had to order new ones from Brawa.

These cars are a great asset to my Era 1 collection.

Prefo 30 003, Fleischmann 5843 and 5842

Prefo (Brawa) 30 003, now with original wheels

23.3.2019

Leisure time... continuing the renovation near the tunnel entrance. You can read it at the Down Hill story.

23.3.2019

Today I started two major projects:

* First of all, I lifted the Cochemer Bahn from its original frame of 67 cm height to 118 cm. Now, every visitor can view the layout on eye level

* Then I started to make a new Show Case annex Diorama meant for my study room. It will be integrated into the bookcase. You can read the 'making of' in another chapter

Since today Cochemer Burg can be viewed on eye level.

P l a n n i n g a n e w s h o w c a s e

11.3.2019

Three days leisure time stirred my creativity...

Read the story of Forest and Waldweide

7.3.2019

Working in the Train Room today: removing old wallpaper, positioning trees, starting 'Waldweide' between Castle and Forest. All things filling this lovely, leisurely day.

The Cochemer Burg, now with spruce trees in the background and hand made fir trees in the front.

One tree can make a difference. Good! Better! Drooling...

At the left side, my first birch tree, not too bad I guess.

However, at the right side a new Seemoos tree! It certainly makes a difference.

And then there is a new chapter: Waldweide!

2.3.2019

Not all's well that ends... errrr... not so well...

In 2009 I purchased the grey version of the T 5 (40183), one of the finest models Brawa ever made, with superb running capacities and awesome detail.

In 2015 or 2016 I took the model out of the show case to show others instead. But when I wanted to run the 1209 again last night, this is what came 'out of the box'...

ZINKPEST !

I sent it back to Brawa this afternoon, after a call with the Hotline, and Brawa didn't need much explanation. So, they're aware of the situation.

I'm pretty curious how they will solve this major issue! It will most certainly determine my final decision whether or not buying any locomotive of this brand ever again.

2.3.2019

Since I want to make a proper make-over of some parts of the Cochemer Bahn - especially the 'forestall grounds', I treated myself with some NOCH products.

My first laser cut model (Jägerstand, Noch 14341), with two sachets of Forest Floor Scatter Grass (08350) and not in the least a real box of tree leaves ( 07154)

meant for my Seemoos trees. I'm pretty excited how it will work out.

Noch 07154, 14341 and 08350

1.3.2019

More trees were made today. This afternoon I made the firm decision to position all Jacq Damen Trees NOT in the Black Forest behind the castle, but in FRONT of it!

They not only look but also fit better, since the castle grew pretty small with such large trees behind it. It's just a matter of perspective!

The Heki Spruce Trees will now be in their stead. In between, the 'Lorelei' tunnel got her final painting. After a yellow layer a few days ago, I gave it a white dry brush today.

Not yet after my liking (too white), but it'll do for the moment...

26.2.2019

Two leisure days promise some good. I started with making some new trees. On the one hand I found a sachet with 12 Heki fir trees.

On the other, there is still this box with Seemoos which promises to change into the finest of trees.

To start with the latter, see the Story of Birch Trees.

The making of Spruce Trees out of Heki Steckfichte - which I produced simultaneously - you can read right here!

16.2.2019

Although I'm not fond of purchasing per Internet, I couldn't resist the offer of the 2014 Trix Clubmodel. The axles were even changed for free into the precious Märklin Bavarian grey open V-spoked wheels!

Yet, my collection already contains an "Eberlbräu", but that 1998 model has a black chassis with yellow printing:

Märklin 43982 (E 1998)

Then there is the Eberlbräu from the 7-set (Märklin 45251), a 2010 limited edition.

Although this van has a white chassis yet, it also carries a different road number.

Unfortunately - and unlike the announcement and box printing - these models have Era 2 buffers, the so called Hülsenpuffer.

Märkin not even cared for painting the wheels Bavarian grey:

Märklin 45251-02 (E 2010)

But now - with white frame and Stangenpuffer - this 2014 version (Trix 24814) offers everything needed for Bayern Epoche 1 pur sang, as it should be!

Trix 24814 (E 2014)

After DHL delivered this model early this morning (within a day!), I rushed to my hobby room for a whole day's working on my layout, implementing Down Hill into the adjecent scenery. Spring is in the air...

15.2.2019

Aio libero.

This day is calling for completion!

Please, continue reading the story of Down Hill...

9.2.2019

Newly released Brawa cars from Era 1 were added to my collection...

Brawa 49722

Brawa 49742 ~ Erdal grüner Frosch

Brawa 49723 - Exclusive 2018

Brawa 48202

Brawa 45612 and 45611

6.2.2019

How the most neglected part of my layout became a gem! Read the story of Down Hill.

1.2.2019

I finally dared to make trees in the way Jacq Damen tought me! See the report of Pine Trees á la Jacq Damen!

28.1.2019

Since my train room still needs to be painted and foreseen with new wall paper, and the cabinet has to be moved from the spot, I won't fill the showcase with my most precious models until the job's done. This Baden IVh however longs for company...

One of the first shots that I took with my new S8 (with only artificial light at the ceiling, no daylight involved)

24.1.2019

For reasons of hesitation, last year, I failed ordering the Sächsische Güterwagen Gm 15 111 (Brawa 49724, new 2018). After its release, it was sold out all too soon.

Even my own dealer couldn't lay hands on it anymore, nor the bigger shops in Germany. Fortunately I was able to find one shop who still had one option. Done...

Brawa 49724

24.1.2019

Since I moved, I now have a separate room for maintenance of my rolling stock. Some models haven't run for over a decade of more, lying safely and comfy in their boxes!

Especially the analogue models and those with an older type of propulsion need to be looked after in order to avoid some kind of 'soaping'.

Instead of Wilesco Z83 (which is very viscous), I now use Ballistol Oil with a lower viscosity. Some models also need some adjusting of their switches.

Märklin 3100 on my workbench...

24.1.2019

Finally....

After some 12 years since I discussed a "go or no" (on John Oxlade's "Worldrailfan Forum") for an Elok-List which is similar to my ModelsList of steam locomotives,

I made a modest start with Class E 04. Just take a peek at my Elok-List!

For those who are still unfamiliar with the function of my List, let me help you out a bit (it's quite simple):

* Please put your cursor on Class 00 - 09 at the left top side of the page

* Then follow the drop-down-menu until you find E 04

* Move to the right and choose your favourite openings pages, like DRG E 04 or DB 104

Only the openings pages differ with an Era aligned picture.

The content of the list itself is similar and can be found by clicking on one of the crests on the left side of the page.

Märklin 2872

8.1.2019

Working through some folders of the passed years with unused pictures that I took at my dealers since 2007, I found this gem. It took me some 40 minutes to doctor it because of many smudges caused by dust and dirt on the sensor of my old Canon camera then. Even if the moulds are over 30 years old now - the very first Württemberger C was released in 1988 during my visit at the first Märklin Seminar - this locomotive is still one of my favourites, even the more since after the 1988 models this one has again three (sic!) front lights in so called A front code. Alas, the C 2032 is still an omission in my collection...

5.1.2019

One of the last photoshoots of recent purchases that I made at my uncle's, who in due time is going to sell his layout and will move to a smaller apartment: