German diversion

[Tim Hale]

Currently waiting for its turn on the workbench is this rather old Rivarossi model dating from the ‘80s, it was bought for something to do, having looked at the mechanism, I already regret the decision.



The model needs updating with electric rather than oil lanterns, Weinert supply the necessary bits, nicely cast in brass.


The odd dynamo lump is a turbo generator, at the base of chimney of 89 854

Tim

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

having looked at the mechanism, I already regret the decision.

This would have been the answer but not currently available for the original Br 89.6. Verfügbarkeit = rot sb-modellbau.com

I presume it has the big fat motor in the cab.

 

[Tim Hale]

Currently waiting for its turn on the workbench is this rather old Rivarossi model dating from the ‘80s, it was bought for something to do, having looked at the mechanism, I already regret the decision.

Prophectic indeed, it was returned and replaced by a rather old Fleischmann model. This lovely old thing is a model which the manufacturer made incremental but modest 'improvements', this is the penultimate version with lovely valvegear but no digital interface. It is outclassed by Roco's model but I began with models that arrive in yellow/red boxes hence a strong brand loyalty.

​

The must-do tasks were digital and couplings, removal of the latter will result in gaping holes in the buffer beams to be filled otherwise no biggie. Not sure about the motor, it is a pancake but until it is tested with the decoder, only then will there be a decision. Anyhew, my other Fleischmann are still running since '82 and a loco crew will hide the motor.

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

Just to maintain the Fleischmann theme, another purchase from the same source has proved to be a proper curate’s egg. This time, the model was perfect other than it needed a change of identity/ownership from West to East German and therein lies the rub, the DR version needs a rebuild of the smokebox door as well as numbers etc.

​

The smokebox door needed drastic surgery which requires removal of the door but Fleischmann had thought of that and it won’t budge, the body went to Martin but didn’t arrive (this is the second loss in transit). As a consequence, a replacement body was sourced, thankfully it is wearing the DR livery, with the correct smokebox door, hopefully it should be on its way. Finding the body was a minor miracle as production ceased some ten years ago when Fleischmann went bankrupt and was sold.

This new loco will be an absolute ‘bruiser’ and by far the largest loco of the layout, in the ‘20s, the BR94 was deployed to the Thuringer Wald as a replacement for the rack workings, one still climbs the slopes in the link below.

BR 94 Thuringer Wald

Tim

 

[WM183]

Fleischmann and Roco engines run so, so well. It's unbelievable how much better they run than Hornby/Bachmann's offerings!