Jordan
Mid-Western Thunderer
Isn't it just?
Beats me why so many modellers refuse to look beyond their own 'home' railways!!
The Sheep Chronicles. A Sheep dips his hooves in various bucolic backwaters.
Beats me why so many modellers refuse to look beyond their own 'home' railways!!
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Morning all,
Well, now back from just over two weeks in the Czech Republic. Arrived home last night having left sunny Bohemia on Tuesday morning, pausing at Aachen overnight before resuming yesterday morning.
One of the highlights was the planned trip over the now reopened Tabor to Bechyne branchline. Our arrival corresponded with the start of the use of state owned"historic stock" on summer Saturdays.
Three formations were in use on the day we travelled.
A Class 113 Bo-Bo plus two coaches which appeared to be the usual branch formation.
Elinka, an Electric Railcar built in 1903 for the opening of the line and still in use for normal branch services until the late 60s
Bobinka, a Class 422 Bo-Bo electric hauling two former Railcar trailers which was also in use from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
We travelled out from Tabor on Bobinka then back on Elinka.
Great fun. The weather was stunning with temperatures in the low 30°s which really gave an opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the lovely countryside that this line passes through. All services were well patronised and I know from previous trips that normal service trains are well used by the locals.
( below ) The road rail bridge just before Bechyne
The tickets for Elinka were slightly more expensive than the usual fares but it appears that a percentage goes to support the maintenance of the historic stock which is also supported by an enthusiastic ( and very friendly) "friends of " association which operate a sales stand on the Bobinka service from which you can buy merchandise and snacks ( including a pint ).
Well, now back from just over two weeks in the Czech Republic. Arrived home last night having left sunny Bohemia on Tuesday morning, pausing at Aachen overnight before resuming yesterday morning.
One of the highlights was the planned trip over the now reopened Tabor to Bechyne branchline. Our arrival corresponded with the start of the use of state owned"historic stock" on summer Saturdays.
Three formations were in use on the day we travelled.
A Class 113 Bo-Bo plus two coaches which appeared to be the usual branch formation.
Elinka, an Electric Railcar built in 1903 for the opening of the line and still in use for normal branch services until the late 60s
Bobinka, a Class 422 Bo-Bo electric hauling two former Railcar trailers which was also in use from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
We travelled out from Tabor on Bobinka then back on Elinka.
Great fun. The weather was stunning with temperatures in the low 30°s which really gave an opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the lovely countryside that this line passes through. All services were well patronised and I know from previous trips that normal service trains are well used by the locals.
( below ) The road rail bridge just before Bechyne
The tickets for Elinka were slightly more expensive than the usual fares but it appears that a percentage goes to support the maintenance of the historic stock which is also supported by an enthusiastic ( and very friendly) "friends of " association which operate a sales stand on the Bobinka service from which you can buy merchandise and snacks ( including a pint ).
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Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
A pint
! When I'm Europe my beer comes either in 1l, 500ml or 330ml glasses 
...... or did you ask for 568ml? 
On the other hand a 500ml is just over a US pint at 473ml as opposed to an Imperial pint at 568ml.
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
A pint
On the other hand a 500ml is just over a US pint at 473ml as opposed to an Imperial pint at 568ml.
A little over two relaxing weeks away, moving around a country where the people are so chilled and within one reply I know I'm back in Britain.
Thanks, Dave.
John57sharp
Western Thunderer
Welcome back Rob. Your trip looks great, ill look it up on the map later
John
John
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
One of the 'nice things' acquired was this lovely book on the line.
It's very well put together with pretty much everything you would need from an information point of view to havexa decent go at constructing a layout based on the line.
Beautifully illustrated, the text is of course in Czech but with a bit of application it can be digested and if all else fails,I can call on the in house interpretation service.
Rob.
It's very well put together with pretty much everything you would need from an information point of view to havexa decent go at constructing a layout based on the line.
Beautifully illustrated, the text is of course in Czech but with a bit of application it can be digested and if all else fails,I can call on the in house interpretation service.
Rob.
timbowales
Western Thunderer
I do wish you wouldn't post such things.
I must resist, I must resist.........
I must resist, I must resist.........
John57sharp
Western Thunderer
Fully agree, its too interesting
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Perhaps then it's no surprise, but whilst away, I've given some thought to future projects. The result is that I've decided that one European interest is enough which means that the Italian locos will probably be sold, certainly the steam locos.
If anyone is remotely interested then send me a PM for details prior to me advertising them.
Rob.
If anyone is remotely interested then send me a PM for details prior to me advertising them.
Rob.
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Hi Tim, good to see you. It will be a while yet before a Czech layout emerges but I'll keep tge idea ticking over, in between other stuff.
Basic plan is for a 1980s layout. I already have a small number of suitable diesel locos and as previously alluded to, a diesel Railcar with associated trailers.
Blackwater Pier, however, is next.
Rob.
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
As an update, John, it does look as if a section of the JHMD has reopened. We didn't have time to visit it this time but hopefully things will improve for our next visit. However, we did encounter a few sections of the trackbed as we travelled about and they certainly looked in good order as we passed by, which suggests work is ongoing.
Rob
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Further to the above
NEWS:
10/08/2024 – The narrow gauge railway returns to service
You can finally come and ride the narrow gauge train! After an almost two-year break, life is getting back on track. It's not an easy task, so we will open the track gradually by individual sections. It is primarily about the safety of passengers and we want to make sure that we always transport you safely. We are starting with traffic in the section Nová Bystřice - Hůrky. Come and take a ride, you will support the further saving of the narrow gauge railway. We expect that there will be great interest, so you can buy tickets in advance.
3/8/2024 – We have a safety certificate
The narrow-gauge railway administration company, which is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the railway, received a railway operator's safety certificate from the Railway Authority. With this step, we completed several months of efforts to put the track into operation. The key partner in this part of the project is Swietelsky RAIL CZ, which has made a significant contribution to the fact that the track is now in operational condition and it is possible to ride on it.
Rob
NEWS:
10/08/2024 – The narrow gauge railway returns to service
You can finally come and ride the narrow gauge train! After an almost two-year break, life is getting back on track. It's not an easy task, so we will open the track gradually by individual sections. It is primarily about the safety of passengers and we want to make sure that we always transport you safely. We are starting with traffic in the section Nová Bystřice - Hůrky. Come and take a ride, you will support the further saving of the narrow gauge railway. We expect that there will be great interest, so you can buy tickets in advance.
3/8/2024 – We have a safety certificate
The narrow-gauge railway administration company, which is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the railway, received a railway operator's safety certificate from the Railway Authority. With this step, we completed several months of efforts to put the track into operation. The key partner in this part of the project is Swietelsky RAIL CZ, which has made a significant contribution to the fact that the track is now in operational condition and it is possible to ride on it.
Rob
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Morning all,
A busy month beckons for Ewe which is off to a small one day show in Derby towards the end of September.
This is the first RmWeb Midlands Area Group show which is in a similar format to the SWAG show we do at Staplegrove Village Hall each April. MAG is being held in a great music venue which is in the centre of Derby and run by the organiser, Jay Dean.
The following weekend ( Thursday actually ) Ewe is off to the previously mentioned Rapido show in Maidstone. The checking and servicing of locos etc starts then this weekend and the intention is to add to the stock.
I have finally acquired a Hornby Toad B to add to the existing Toad E which is a regular at shows and was dug out to provide a reference to the weathering of the Toad B. It's been a while since I did the Toad E and I want to be consistent.
I also have a Oxford Rail unfitted ex Great Eastern vent van to weather which I've had for ages. Finally, will I knock up a typical Great Eastern rail built loading gauge ? Who knows but it again is long overdue and is probably the last "structural" item needed.
Rob.
A busy month beckons for Ewe which is off to a small one day show in Derby towards the end of September.
This is the first RmWeb Midlands Area Group show which is in a similar format to the SWAG show we do at Staplegrove Village Hall each April. MAG is being held in a great music venue which is in the centre of Derby and run by the organiser, Jay Dean.
The following weekend ( Thursday actually ) Ewe is off to the previously mentioned Rapido show in Maidstone. The checking and servicing of locos etc starts then this weekend and the intention is to add to the stock.
I have finally acquired a Hornby Toad B to add to the existing Toad E which is a regular at shows and was dug out to provide a reference to the weathering of the Toad B. It's been a while since I did the Toad E and I want to be consistent.
I also have a Oxford Rail unfitted ex Great Eastern vent van to weather which I've had for ages. Finally, will I knock up a typical Great Eastern rail built loading gauge ? Who knows but it again is long overdue and is probably the last "structural" item needed.
Rob.
2996 Victor
Western Thunderer
Sounds great, Rob, I think I'll try to make it to MAG.
I had no idea that SWAG was at Staplegrove Village Hall. In another life, I spent several years working at Staplegrove Post Office!
Mark
I had no idea that SWAG was at Staplegrove Village Hall. In another life, I spent several years working at Staplegrove Post Office!
Mark