CLUB NEWS 6 2010

Exclusive Tips Layout constructions, new partners

Spectacular: Club Models 2011 Franco-Crosti loco class 50.40 in H0 Class 50 Giesl in Gauge N TRIX Club-News 05/2010

6 Photo: DB (Quebe, BD Münster) from the collection of Jürgen-Ulrich Ebel Club 2011: Impressive profile – the Franco-Crosti 50.40 will be the star on any H0 layout.

Contents Issue 06 / 2010

Detail News: A look behind the scenes – Open Day at Märklin ...... 4 Class 50.40: Everything about the original for the exclusive Club Model 2011 in Gauge H0 ...... 6 Gauge N: Saving coal from more efficient heating – the unusual test steam locomotive class 50 Giesl as the Club Model 2011 ...... 11

Scene You are a model railroader with heart and soul: Club members tell us why they are so enthusiastic about their Club and their hobby ...... 12 Portrait: Global network – the N-Club International for model railroading fun in the worldwide club ...... 15

Service Layout construction: The Untere Meienreuss Bridge – an impressing construction takes shape in H0 ...... 18 Cooperation partners: Bavaria Filmstadt gives a discount on studio tours and 4D movie theater ...... 23 Editorial/masthead ...... 3

The following enclosures are in the Club publication 06/2010: Club News 06/2010, Front page photo: Märklin Magazin 06/2010, Year DVD (Part 2). Ludwig Rotthowe

2 12 18 Passion pure: Club members tell us why they are so enthusi- Craftsmanship: The Untere Meisenreuss Bridge is now embedded in plaster and foam by astic about their Club and their hobby. skillful modeling on the layout for surroundings - just like the original.

Your service numbers Dear Club members,

Customer Service Raise the curtains for the Club Models 2011 - as expected by Club members, we have picked out sensational-looking and Club Hotline: cars of historic importance. Exclusively for our Club members, we Telephone Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. are releasing this year an outstanding freight steam locomotive in H0 Telephone: + 49 (0) 7161 / 608 - 213 • Fax: - 308 gauge. The class 50.40 is not considered without good reason as E-mail: [email protected] being the highlight of west German steam locomotive rebuilding. Two new freight-car sets released with it will enable you to make up a Questions about technology, repairs perfectly prototypical train consist. In this issue you will also find out and spare parts / complaints: Telephone Monday – Friday all about prototypes and models, and the development department from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. is even letting slip some details of the design in advance. We do of Telephone: + 49 (0) 7161 / 608 - 222 • Fax: - 225 course include the visitors' enthusiasm at our Open Day - the results E-mail: [email protected] of a small survey reveal what makes your Club and your hobby so special. It is a particular pleasure to introduce you to Peter Csavajda - the engagement by the president of N-Club International arouses Internet www.trix.de the passion for model railroading. In the Service section we have www.maerklin.de/de/service/erlebnis/clubs included an exciting installment on creativity for a Gauge-N layout construction. We bring you a little closer to places worth visiting: We have been able to include Bavaria Filmstadt and the Modellbahnzentrum Moving? Schluchsee as new cooperation partners. Please inform us in good time of your new address so we will know where we can reach We hope you enjoy reading your Club News. you. A forwarding address at the Post Office unfortunately will not suffice.

Thank you for your cooperation! Your Trix Club team

Imprint Editorial Club News is an exclusive part of this publication 3G Media GmbH: Peter Waldleitner (editor-in-chief), for Trix Club members. Lars Harnisch, Rochus Rademacher, Lorelei Wiegand Subject to changes and delivery options for all Publisher Layout the products mentioned here. All rights reserved. Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH Gerhard Baumann GmbH & Co. KG Reprinting in whole or in part only with prior written Stuttgarter Str. 55 – 57 permission. This also applies for recording in elec- Photographs 73033 Göppingen, Germany tronic databases and duplication on CD-ROMs. The Unless indicated otherwise: Trix Club Märklin Customer Clubs editor is not liable for any unsolicited submission of No liability accepted for any dates given. Silvia Römpp (responsible) manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. E 160575 – 06 2010 © by Gebr. Märklin 3 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010

Good weather and a great atmosphere ensured the Open Day in Göppingen Interesting look behind the scenes was a huge success. More than 10,000 visitors wanted How the current Insider model in H0, the class the foundry through the plating shop and to watch how the Club 03.10, is produced, was on show September further on to final assembly. The visitors models are made. 17 and 18 for the more than 10,000 visitors to could even join in for hands-on at the loco- see, and the staff in Göppingen let everyone motive and car assembly lines. This was have a good look. Model railroad fans, while the younger guests were enjoying the including a group all the way from Australia, many play areas. The weather was kind and filled the premises for a look behind the the visitors were able to enjoy their refresh- scenes. In single file the curious onlookers ments outdoors after touring the plant. passed the various steps in production from

Year DVD no. 2 All the major events of the year on record as images: The second part of the 2010 Annual Chronicle "A Year with Trix" is enclosed in this Club mailing. Included here are the highlights of the year like the Open Day at the Märklin plant in Göppingen. The DVD also looks back on other major events like the "Golden Rail Award", unveiling the Trix model of the TGV and as an example for others, a visit to the model construction team in Cologne/Bonn and to the railroad museum in Uetrecht. The second part of this review of the year includes a report on the anniversary locomotive class 120.1 and tips on the landscaping on model railroad layouts. A cover if Included in this Club mailing: available on the Internet for downloading. Sleeves to match from Part 2 of the Annual Chronicle on DVD your electronics retailer will keep your collection tidy. with the highlights for all Insiders.

4 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Detail News & Facts

Competition: Märklin TV Being there live is worthwhile

Watching Märklin TV is worthwhile: Anyone paying attention when watching the TV channel can win attrac- tive prizes. The Trix Club Issue 04/2010 included the present-day Eagle museum train. We wanted to know the year when the Eagle museum train was put into opera- tion. More than 10,000 Club members took part in the competition. The lucky winner lives in Berlin: Michael Tomke has won a class 03.10, Club Annual Model 2010. The correct answer is: 2007. The present-day museum train started running again once it had been restored. The Eagle had been destroyed by a fire in the DB museum in Nuremberg in 2005. This was on October 19, 2007. The first run as a complete train with carriages and passen- gers took place only a few weeks later on November 10, 2007. Congratulations! Started running again in 2007: The restored Eagle museum train.

Your Club membership 2011 Trix Club membership is worthwhile for many rea- elapses. Extension of your membership is noted in sons. Besides the exclusive Club models, members this invoice. The membership fee for 2011 remains are the first to get the latest information. We look unchanged at Euro 79.95 / 129.90 CHF / 109 USD. Please forward to your membership in 2011 as well. Mem- only pay once you have received the invoice for this. bership is automatically renewed if not terminated in Please note: please do not send us a new application writing within the period of notice. You have probably form to renew your membership for 2011. Our team already been invoiced for your 2011 membership. If is available Monday to Friday,10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., at not you will find an invoice in the mail at the latest the hotline on +49 (0) 71 61/6 08-213 to answer any one month before your current membership year queries you may have.

Suisse Toy The city of Bern was the largest the anniversary loco class 120.1. playroom in Switzerland for Several layouts in H0 and Z 5 days during the Suisse Toy. were there to impress the Some 56,000 visitors, young visitors to the fair. The crowds and old, came to the exhibition were particularly large at the grounds from between family booth where layouts had September 29, and October 3, been set up for the younger to experience both new and visitors to play with and look at. not-so-new from the world of Special highlight: toys. Märklin was on display in Here they could buy a car, paint two halls with new items for the this any way they wanted and fall and models. Included here In the center: The Märklin booth at the Suisse Toy in Bern. then take it home with them.

5 Detail Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Produktinfos

Club Model 2011: The Franco-Crosti steam loco class 50.40 A spectacular rebuild Exclusively for Trix Club members, Märklin is releasing an outstanding freight locomotive in 2011: The class 50.40 can be regarded as a highlight of west German steam loco rebuilding - unmistakable due to its slim main boiler, the underslung preheating boiler and the operating smoke stack on the side.

"With all its unique features, the class 50.40 through the side smoke stack. On the class Highlights is a most unusual engine full of character", 50.40, of which after the prototype (in 1954) observes Dr. Andreas Räntzsch, one of in 1958/1959 a total of 30 more were put into Model: The DB 50.40 class Märklin's Records Office staff. "It stands for service, the FC principle seemed to the in H0 is the Club Model for the steam engine's opposition to diesel traction engineers to be the ideal trick to optimize 2011. Steam loco 50 4005 of - it was an effort to improve its competitive- their thermal efficiency. "In operation, they era III is a completely new tooling. ness by attaining a higher level of efficiency". achieved fuel economies of between 15 and The technical trick is named after the two 20 percent", as Jürgen-Ulrich Ebel, author of Unique features: Franco- Italian engineers Attilo Franco and Piero Crosti. the 50.40 standard work "Franco-Crosti" Crosti type with preheating In the FC machine, the exhaust gasses are reports. boiler, side smoke stack, no longer expelled directly through the smoke "Just like the prototype, there is space and bunker hatch covers. stacks as in the regular type. The exhaust between the main boiler and the preheater", Delivery: Deliveries are gasses, at a temperature of up to 400 °C says Märklin designer Jochen Hoffmann, scheduled to start in quarter (752 °F), are diverted from the smoke-box of pointing out the main details of the 2011 Trix 4, 2011. The personalized the main boiler through the preheating boiler model. The main boiler on top in high-quality order form is included with underneath it, and the gasses of combustion die cast zinc was quite a challenge: "Its shape issue 01/2011. heat up the boiler feed water to 160 °C (320 °F). changes from cylindrical to conical and back Only then are the exhaust gasses discharged to cylindrical, while its top edge is straight."

6 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Detail Models

Hoffmann designed the flat working smoke stack – optically cleverly concealed – in two parts, for ease of assembly. The integral smoke unit serves the front stack, which was closed when running with a smoke stack cap. This was used, pulled out slightly, to heat up the loco when stationary. Railroad historian Räntzsch: "The class 50.40 is unique on the basis of its stack within a stack and the damper alone"

Technical refinement brings steam into position against the diesel In Germany, steam locomotive engineering – in the west largely influenced by Richard Paul Wagner as Head of Design for the Germany State Railroad – had by 1940 reached the final stages of its development. In the new phase just beginning, the design principles of Friedrich Witte led to higher output and higher speeds. "After WWII, a third era started", is how historian Räntzsch describes the technical refinement of the two-cylinder

Photo: Ludwig Rotthowe 50.40 in historical-technical terms. In the Full of character: 50 4005: The prototype of the 2011 Trix Club model, with its prominent side 1930s, André Chapelon on the Paris-Orléans smoke stack, stands for fuel economy. Only 31 of the class 50.40 were built. Here one of the railroad had already analyzed the thermal Franco-Crosti locos steams over the Hiltrup canal bridge in 1961. economics of the steam engine and made great improvements to its output and econo- my. "In Germany", the engineering historian continues, "after the war there were many experiments carried out in the Chapelon tradition with rebuilt locomotives – such as with high-performance boilers as fitted to the class 03.10 or the FC type in the 50.40". And they were able to score – at least to start with – against diesel traction: "The outcome of a competition between the V200 and an 01 is no foregone conclusion – the steam loco had in fact more reserves". The 2011 club model is not only an extraordi- nary loco in railroad history terms. The design of the model was a real challenge as well. Although there were only 31 of them, they were all different. What made it all more difficult was that there are no survivors: the last of the 1,540 HP machines, which weighed 90.6 tons without tender, was withdrawn in 1967 – the corrosion which occurred in the preheating boiler was simply too much. For the model's design, the Records Office determined to use the machines as they were after the first rebuild phase.

Photo: Ludwig Rotthowe Thus the freight loco with its strong character At the home signal: 50 4005 with a freight train on the Münster-Osnabrück line in brought back to life in model form is impres- summer 1962: in model form she will be presented as operating in about 1962. sive on account of its realism: "Just like on

7 Detail Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Produktinfos

Photo: Archives Workhorse in harness: The class 50.40 showed its mettle on the German Federal Railroad as a classic freight steam loco - at the end of its career it even had the honor of powering timetabled passenger trains.

Cast-iron smoke stack: the smoke stacks originally of the prototype there are large numbers of Federal Railroad following the FC principle – sheet metal on the loco- pipes along the boiler and under the running admittedly with two preheating boilers lying motives' sides were prone plate, the grab-irons are high-quality wire side-by-side. The coal savings realized were to corrosion and had to be fittings, and even the delicate ribbing on the encouraging and so 50 1412 was tuned up replaced. running plate can also be seen with the FC fittings in 1954. "This experimen- clearly", as designer Hoffmann tal machine was given the road number outlines the optical and tactile 50 4001 in 1958 – the machines from 4002 details. The frame in the model were then fitted with complete new boilers", is made of a single casting, and states Räntzsch. And success followed: with the tender body too with the the new design, the 50.40 was more powerful two moveable hatch covers than the class 50. And the mileages run were need fear no comparison with worth seeing too: FC expert Jürgen-Ulrich Ebel the original: "We even added reports for example that 50 4003 achieved an the tender water tank filler annual figure of 66,875 kilometers (41,563 miles). mechanism to the model". The completely newly-designed To start with, the locos were allocated to 50.40 will also acquit itself well Oberlahnstein, Osnabrück and Kirchweyhe; on the layout, as Hoffmann later to Bingerbrück and Hamm. Officially, the assures us: "We have put an class 50.40 was regarded as a freight locomo- additional weight in the preheat- tive; at the end of the 1950s, one highlight ing boiler, to make the locomo- was haulage of the then new dump cars. That tive that much heavier and was the inspiration for Märklin's H0 Product improve its adhesion – after all, Manager Karl-Heinz Gräßle to select the we want it to be able to climb matching car set: "The dump cars are a the grades on layouts without traditional Märklin model from the 1960s – problems". A 42.90 had already now we'll release them in 2011 exclusively for

Photo: Rainer Schnell been rebuilt for the German Insiders as a completely new tooling in

8 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Detail Models

Trix Club Models 2011

24091 Dump car set H0 !U3

Modell: Dump wagon, high-detail model, with open-work, separate rail clasps fitted and with individual dump troughs. Car with or without brakeman’s platform. All dump wagons with different road numbers. Troughs holding authentic and appropriately scaled ballast. Covered short- freight car of the class "Oppeln". Acid tank car with filigree lattice bracing. Total length over buffers 63.5 cm (2.5 ft.). AC sets for each freight car 2 x 700580. Completely new design for these dump wagons. Very filigree model. With separate track clasps fitted to the bogie. Each car has a different road number.

Personalized order forms 22051 Freight steam locomotive with tender for these models are included in issue 01/2011. !(cehHU3

H0

Prototype: Steam freight locomotive class 50.40 of the for smoke unit 7226 to be fitted at the normal smoke German Federal Railroad (DB). Rebuild with newly- stack. When running, the smoke stack can be closed constructed high-performance boiler and Franco-Crosti with a cap. Conventional three-lamp headlights exhaust gas preheating boiler, Witte windshields, DB change ends according to direction of travel and reflex glass lamps, sandboxes on the running plate, accessory smoke unit can be controlled digitally. smoke stack at the side and rebuilt 2´2´T26 coal tender Lamps are maintenance-free warm white LEDs. Close- with coal bunker hatch covers. Road number 50 4005. coupling with guide mechanism between loco and As operating in around 1962. tender. On the front of the loco and the rear of the tender close coupler with NEM coupler pocket. Model: With mfx digital decoder and extensive sound Hatches for the coal bunker can be opened and closed functions. Controlled high-efficiency propulsion mechanically. Minimum negotiable radius 360 mm with bell-shaped armature and flywheel mounted in (14-3/16"). Piston tail rod protectors are included. the boiler. Five driven . Traction tires. Locomo- Length over buffers 26.4 cm (10-3/8"). tive and tender predominantly of metal. Prepared 9 Detail Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Models

Perfect train consist

H0

In spring 1959, an elegant class 50.40 freight train steam locomotive rolls through the station at Hamm Bonus: Club members, who choose to order both exclusive freight heading a train worth seeing made up of dump cars, car sets (items 24091 and 24094), will also receive the freight train tank cars and freight train baggage car – caught on film. + baggage car Pwgs 41 (item 24095) as a gift. And since the prototype belongs on the layout as well, Trix is producing a second freight-car set in H0 (item no. 24094) exclusively for Club members for a perfect train consist: it combines six attractive DB freight cars of different types. The counterpart of the dump car set (item no. 24091) also consists of four complete retooled two- dump cars – two with and two with- out brakeman's platform. The parade is completed by a G10 box car without brakeman’s and a tank car Personalized order members who choose to order both freight car belonging to the Vereinigte sets for their train consist even get a valuable Tanklager und Transportmittel forms for these models bonus: they will also receive the attractive GmbH (VTG) of Hamburg, with are included freight-train baggage car Pwgs 41 (item no. brakeman's platform. Club in issue 01/2011. 24095) in the classic green color as a gift.

Faithful detail: The 3-D accordance with today's state-of-the-art". recorder Räntzsch. "There is no reason at all model from the design "These most striking vehicles are made of five not to use 50 4005 on the layout as a general department brings the large individual hoppers with very delicate framing purpose loco – at the start of her career she number of finely-worked – a decoration for any layout", is the view of hauled some of the most important freight building elements of the 2011 trains and towards the end of her life she Club locos to your view. even hauled passenger trains". The charis- matic loco is not even in the wrong place at the head of an express train: "That's the great thing about steam locos like the 50.40, they could in exceptional circumstances – or for reasons hidden by the mists of time – be used by one locomotive depot or another to power express trains".

Text: Rochus Rademacher Photo: Development Photo:

10 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Detail Produktinfos

Typical: The flat smokestack of the 50 1503 shows this is a Giesl induced-draft loco – and gives the N-gauge Trix Club Model 2011 its unusual profile.

Club Model 2011 Gauge N: Freight steam loco class 50 Giesl N

Great moment of Giesl Ejector. The idea was to realize better utilization of the energy: Exhaust steam is passed through seven blast an outstanding unicum pipes underneath the smoke stack and a suction effect is created here by the flow. This partial vacuum reached as Awaiting Trix Club members in 2011 is an exclusive far as the firebox - the air is drawn in more strongly model in gauge N of a truely special rarity: The steam and the coal burns better. Savings in coal of eight percent loco 50 1503 was used by the DB to test the potential from the blower connected in series were possible - and for saving energy from the Giesl induced-draft princi- the invention made a triumphal procession since fuel was ple – easy to see here the typical "pinched ". scarce after the Second World War. The German Federal Railroads (DB) undertook trials as well: The 50 1503 was Trouble-free, powerful and energy-efficient - these are fitted with the Giesl Ejector in 1955 – with the character- three parameters that post-war engineering focussed on istic flat chimney stack resulting from the blower that is in the innovations to increase the economic efficiency more flatly-shaped in the direction of travel, and this gives of steam locomotives. Adolph Giesl-Gieslingen, an Aus- the Trix Club Model 2011 its distinctive and sleeky look. trian, had developed an induced-draft system in 1951. The DB did not however allow very A patent was submitted for this as the much time for the innovation: The A personalized Geisl Ejector was taken out again after a short period of time. The order form for this improvements in the energy budget 12350 Freight train locomotive with a model is included in were apparently not sufficient - the coal tender. issue 01/2011. savings made in coal had to be considered in relation to the high BdFSZ license fees and the high refurbish- ment costs. The Trix Club Model 2011 is now celebrating Original: Freight train locomotive, class 50, of the Federal this great moment of multiple-jet flat ejectors at the DB. German Railroad (DB). Version with box-type tender, Wagner In Austria as well as in the GDR, the era of Giesl Ejectors smoke deflectors and Giesl Ejector. Service: Heavy freight lasted well into the late Seventy's. And the 50 1503 contin- trains. ued to apply its pulling power in freight-train traffic – until Model: Diecast metal locomotive and tender. High-efficiency it was taken out of service in 1973. motor (bell-shaped armature motor) with flywheel. Motor and axle gear in the boiler. Digital interface in the tender. Close Text: Rochus Rademacher / Photographs: Helmut Dahlhaus coupling between locomotive and tender. With kinematics 11 for short coupling on the tender. 5 axles driven by coupling rods, traction tires. Length over buffers 143.7 mm (5.7 in.). Scene Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Club service

Club intern: For the members, usefulness counts A strong belief in exclusivity Club members are premium customers – and they are treated accordingly with information and products. That's appreciated, whether Trix, LGB or Märklin Club. Exclusive models, tips on layout construction and scene info are all popular.

Club member or not, it simply must be said: seen". Everything has the impression of being "The Märklin factory is simply excellent – it "freshly painted", says Nagel. He was given is thoroughly interesting to be able to follow his first loco at the age of three and is now a the working processes", says Len Burrows passionate reader of Märklin Magazin. from Boronia near Melbourne in the survey "I want to be one of the first to be informed made during the Open Day. He stands in front about new releases by Märklin", says Jürgen of the World of Experience and euphorically Süße from Kassel, which is why he is a Club gets into shopping mood: "Do they ship to member. "I was given my first model railroad Australia direct? We don't have such a wide in 1973 and since then I have been a Club "My inspiration for range as that there". The fascination of watch- member with body and soul – today I have layout construc- ing the manufacture is shared by club mem- 96 locos and around 400 pieces of rolling tion I get out of the ber Andreas Nagel of Munich: "That skill is stock". To stay up to date, he doesn't rely on Märklin Magazin." behind the models, I knew at the back of my Märklin Magazin and Club News alone: "I find Herbert Dorninger mind, but this is something you have to have Märklin TV a great idea as well". Peter Maurer

"I like to travel – and I find my destinations in the Club News. The Märklin Magazin provides technical info – I have just bought myself the A group of world travelers reveal themselves as Club members Central Station in spirit: "We came from Melbourne in Australia to visit the Open and am building a new Day – and it was well worth while", as Len Burrows, who is totally layout." Wilhelm Hartung impressed with the range of products at the World of Experience (right with his wife), assures us: "I can only hope we find a case which is big enough for all we want to take back home with us".

12 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Scene Club service

“The company delivers quality and goes out to meet its customers – and that And it is nice when you are welcomed as includes Märklin TV.“ a Club member at exhibitions or at the Open Thomas Palma Day". Andreas Nagel

from Augsburg uses the Internet Club pages extensively – and as an "extreme collector", welcomes the convenient service of the lat- est product information being sent directly "As a Club member, I get a to him at home: "I don't need to worry about wide range of useful services a thing then". He joined on account of a which begins with the An- locomotive for Club members – and stayed nual Car and finishes up with because of the exclusive models. Peter the Annual Chronicles.“ Würthele from Esslingen nods: "I value the Horst Boßler Club locos, the special Annual Cars and the special anniversary models – in fact, every- thing which comes on the market as a limited edition". In second place is the Märklin Magazin and the Club News: "It is important Herbert Dorninger from Wels in Austria has to know where and what is happening in left this early phase well behind him, and has the model railroad scene". built a select and extensive layout. "I have There is a slight divergence of interest been running digital for four years now – and with the constructors of miniature worlds. I learned the whole technology in a Märklin Thomas Palma from Kaltern in the south seminar from Rüdiger Haller. To stay up to Tyrol is just fulfilling his dream of a large date with technology and accumulate useful layout. "I joined the club because the ap- knowledge, the only way is to read – in propriate information flows there". You can the Club News and the Märklin Magazin". And see the German perfection in these models: naturally, like many of the Club members, "As a foreigner, I'm entitled to say that". The he's on railroad familiarization trips and manufacturer is driving innovation forward enjoys the reductions afforded by his Club and is in a dialog with its customers: card when visiting the Märklin cooperation "You can see that from Märklin TV too, I've partners – whether they are operating historic seen every episode". As a layout construc- railroads, prototype museums or model tor, Heinz Ade consumes the Club publica- railroad or toy exhibitions. Wilhelm Hartung tions above all: "I'm a beginner and need from Kiedrich in the Rheingau who likes visit- the instructions and tips as to how a layout ing model railroad attractions in Germany is constructed from the ground up". gives similar reasons for his loyalty to the

13 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010

Club. "Apart from that, I like to know what the community is doing, and get lots of ideas from the Märklin Magazin". Hartung got his first model railroad at seven years old, and he has stayed with the same make. "In spring, I start work on a new layout – I've already bought myself the Central Station for it". Horst Boßler from Metzingen lives out his passion for model railroads in the middle of the community: He is founder of MIST72 (Märklin Insider Round Table). "Annual Cars, Club News and Märklin Magazin, the two DVD annual chronicles and special products "We joined up as Insiders through the Handler Initiative" – Boßler reels in 1994 without really know- off the useful services in a practiced manner. ing what to expect. And For the committed round table they are the we are staying – out of con- basis for a model railroad enthusiasm which viction." Helmut Plattner (left), covers the whole range between prototype Werner Heinzmann and model as well as real and miniature world.

Text: Rochus Rademacher "I have 96 locomotives and I just want to be one of the first to know when new models are due." Jürgen Süße

"I joined up long ago be- cause of a special loco - and as an extreme collector, I stayed with it. That way, I don't have to worry any more about information on new models". Peter Maurer Premiere: For the first time, Club members (from left) Rolf Deiserot, Günther Arnold and Peter Bauscher from Wöllstadt have come to the Open Day. "We are all enjoying it very much", Arnold avers. "As Club members, the most important thing for us is the exclusive information as we get it for example with the Club News".

14 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010

Fascination: The art of details attracts the onlookers to the scenarios in miniature from the N-Gauge layout builders. Portrait: N-Club International No Comprising on Gauge Loyalty Gauge N is a dedicated community: There are more than 10,000 members in the International N-Gauge Association Network (INGA Net). The cell behind all this: The agile N-Club International (NCI), where the world in 1:160 is simply the biggest.

The gigantic "Gateway to the N world" is a fascination of Gauge N comes from the train project completely to the taste of the NCI consists true to the original. "We can accom- president. "To create the link over the some modate the right conditions on the sections 1,500 square meters (4,921 sq. ft.) of exhi- even on small areas - the trains have 20 pas- bition floor space, there is a bridge three senger cars or even as many as 100 freight meters (9.8 ft.) long between two track helices cars", explains Csavajda, in promoting this each 2.5 meters (8.2 ft.) in height", is how 1:160 world: "We aren't just a baby gauge any Celebrations: 50-meter table Peter Csavajda reports the highlight of the more. We are now an established railroad (164 ft.) with specialties NCI at the European N-Scale Convention with a lot to offer in terms of accessories as from all over the world - held in Stuttgart. "We were given 400 meters well". Despite the compromises called by Gauge-N fans turn into (1,312 ft.) of flex track by Trix and we laid the scale, the models are still usually very like gourmets after such major 1.5 kilometers (0.8 miles) of cable - there has the originals and realized with great skill. international events. never been a construction quite like it." At- "The layouts capture the attention because of tracting the people to Gauge N also included the detail - the eyecatchers draw the onlook- holding the Highspeed Contest – whole ers into the scenario." school classes took part in the competition. There are two invitations a month to N meet- Traditionally N fans let the public watch the ings - attended in Stuttgart by as many as event being set up and even take part 40 members, in Cologne by some 20. New here - this is something special because of items are presented and discussed, events the international nature of the N scene. The planned and technical problems solved.

15 Scene Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Portrait

"An evening in pleasant surroundings" is the way the president describes such a meeting. The prime purpose is entertainment, though there is a 20-meter circuit (65 ft.) here as well for running and test purposes. The club has two objectives according to Csavajda: "Firstly we want to bring together people interested in model railroads and real railroads so they can have fun and establish new friendships. Secondly the NCI collects information on Gauge N, distributes the information per Newsletter, maintains contact with manufac- turers and also acts as an intermediate with model railroaders. There are no secrets exchanged here with the manufacturers but rather topics are just covered together. There is a longstanding association between the NCI and Minitrix. "Märklin has always supported our activities – A lot to offer: Once a year the NCI puts its wealth of modules on show. as shown by the current Gateway to the N world". Minitrix is a traditional make with fine models. Hence the pain for Csavajda, fan of diesel locos, was even greater because his favorite locomotive, the V 300, is not in the assortment - he never missed an opportunity to remind the model railroad manufacturers of this: "Minitrix finally gave in."

Module section with 430 meters (1,410 ft.) of track NCI is not just talk - layouts are in action here as well. Once a year the Gauge-N enthusiasts hire a hall for their module convention. "Then we are kids for two days and just play", and Csavajda laughs. At the last event there were modules with 430 meters (1,410 ft.) of track and nearly 300 erected buildings. The reason that the modules fit together is the standard - pragmatic definition for boards, A look at the scene: Allotments on the railroad embankment - the one is raking, the other chatting. power connections and track locations. Any- one wanting to join the international club has to have the right interface: In this way the NCI can include any module in its large lay- out by using the transition pieces. Running operations dominate the summer festival at the Naturfreundehaus Steinbergle in Stuttgart with a small Gauge-N layout indoors and an LGB outside. A popular combination, as remarked on by the NCI president: "The characters of garden railroads and N-Gauge are sufficiently different - filigree miniatures indoors complemented by the robustness of large-scale outdoor operations." There are three reasons why Csavajda has been sacrificing his leisure time for this Precision work: Even at the rock concert scaled down to 1:160, there are paramedics, police and firefighters on duty.

16 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Scene Portrait

Gauge-N experts together: NCI president Peter Csava- jda (left) in discussions voluntary office since 1998: "Love for the with Uwe Müller, Manager engineering, maintain the mission and the for Product Marketing value of Gauge N, and the community." Apart at Märklin, about models, from this, the chemistry in the leadership The famous "Gateway to the N world": One of the two towers markets and trends. team works: The ten voting members at the for spiraling joined by a bridge - this is how the trains crossed head of the NCI work without any hierarchy, the exhibition area at the fair held in the fall in Stuttgart. without collecting offices and without any intrigues. Yet the most powerful drive for the mechanical engineers is the fun they all get. Wanted: Gauge-N global "I want to see that the members are informed and can feel at home here." What counts for him is the synergy from the interactions Organization Information about the N-Club International (NCI) and its activities can between man and model: It's the moments be found on the homepage www.n-club-international.de. A link is given of pleasure when, for instance, visitors to the here to the international platform, the International N-Gauge Associa- exhibition can identify themselves with this tion Network (INGA Net). Because of the large number of members and hobby - like Hans, 84 years old, when pre- the internationalism, the association is organized similar to Greenpeace: senting his module just as proud as Michael, Anyone wanting to be active can become a voting member and in this way exert an influence. The body also acts as publisher of the NCI publication 17 years of age, with his glider or helicopter "N aktuell". The NCI annual membership fee is quite low. with rotor blades as small as a fingernail. It's the moments of pleasure like the first eve- Internationalism ning at a European N Scale-Convention, when Ten percent of NCI members are from outside Germany - there are N the tables are put together in the hallway fans even in the USA, Canada and Australia. Era and country-specific model railroaders are accordingly tolerated. As the objectives of the Italian and laden with specialties from all corners of N-Club ASN were similar, a community beyond borders was organized the world: "250 people standing in front of a called INGA Net. Today there are numerous national associations from 50 meter-long (164 ft.) table, talking shop, and around the world organized here – from South Africa and Spain, France laughing and eating and drinking their way and England, through to Finland, and from Australia to America. INGA Net through the whole world." Like others as well, is the platform for exchanging information and providing active support for events. "New is that we do not just have people as members. We now Csavajda visits N-Gauge friends of his own - have associated clubs as well", reports NCI president Peter Csavajda. in England, Spain, Italy and France: Thus the network of clubs from Ireland, England, Vienna and Russia – "It's exciting to meet other people with the in Germany the N-Railroad Enthusiasts Munich includes toolmakers from same background of the love for model rail- Benz and the model railroaders from the railroad deport in Lindau. In roading yet who are completely different." total there are now more than 10,000 members with the same N-Gauge thoughts. Text: Rochus Rademacher Photos: NCI/Peter Csavajda

17 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010

This daunting bridge harmonizes well with the surrounding countryside in the fall. Its dimensions of the construction are appreci- H0 Model of the Untere Meienreuss Bridge / Part 4 ated to the full when a train is passing over. Rocks and Colors In the course of our construction work up to now we have colored and integrated our H0 model of the Untere Meienreuss Bridge in a frame for the layout. We have built this based on the original to be seen at the Gotthard North Ramp. The underlay, tracks and catenary have all been mounted. Now it's time to set up the Alpine landscape.

There are several options available to the model rail- Supplements and corrections are hardly feasible. Not only roader for the landscape skeleton. On the one hand there this, the weight of such a construction is considerable is the classic method of fly wire and plaster. The wire and this in turn means the frame has to be very robust. is fastened to the wooden frame and then covered with More modern materials like hard-foam board and build- a thin or thicker layer of plaster. This is then the basis for ing foam from the can means greater flexibility in your the subsequent styling. This method does however construction work. The boards are easy to work with and has its drawbacks. Apart from the large amount of wood are lightweight as well. By using building foam, the hob- needed for the frame and hence the associated costs, the byist can shape even large areas quickly and cheaply. We shape for the landscape has to be established beforehand. have used a combination of both for our layout based on

18 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Service Self-made

the original in Switzerland with its deep gorges and steep rock faces: fly wire and cans of building foam. This way it's easier to model the shapes desired for the terrain than by using hard-foam boards.

With battens and wire Wooden frames are not used here for fastening the net of aluminum wire. Instead we use wooden battens measuring 30 x 18 mm (1-3/16" x 3/4"). These are easy to make with a circular saw from the cheap plywood board available in any hardware store. The battens are then mounted to the frame and the track underlay. The distance between any two battens should not exceed 30 centimeters (11"). The level of the battens is consid- 2 erably lower than the landscape shell added later. This With a manual or electric staple gun, the supporting construction is now is to allow enough space for the layer of foam. With a bit covered over with aluminum fly wire. This is available in a range of sizes of thought and enough traverses and supports, it is from the hardware store. possible to set up a batten framework e.g. at the end of the layout or even as a free-standing construction, and still realize high stability. The batten construction is then covered over with a net of aluminum fly wire. This is available in packs or loose by the meter (foot). The wire is held down in place using staples. The best way to cover places difficult to access, like for instance inside the arches of the bridge, is to use pieces of hard foam that have been cut to size beforehand. We have modeled our landscape on the original scenery. Thus we are dealing with both steep rock faces and rugged inclines, as well as with gentle and grass slopes. The rocks are styled using modeling plaster whereas the areas of vegetation are prepared using a layer of building foam. The sensitive bridge construction should however first be covered over with due care before any material 3 is applied. Splashes of plaster and foam are difficult Smaller areas like here in the arches of the bridge can be filled out with to remove later. hard foam. The material is lightweight and easy to cut with a knife or a saw.

1 4 The base frame for the terrain skin to be added is made from wooden bat- The bridge should be covered over with plastic film before starting the work tens measuring 30 x 18 millimeters (1-3/16" x 3/4"). The method is straight- with foam and plaster. The very sensitive masonry work can be protected in forward, time-saving and economical. this way.

19 Service Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Self-made

A model railroad in the mountains has to have tunnel portals and supporting walls. Bought products can be made to look more realistic by painting these again.

5 6 Plaster dressings at those points where the rocks will be added later, Building form is an ideal and affordable material for the substrate for the will increase the stability here. This will also help to reduce the amount of landscaping added later. Use sparingly as the foam expands considerably! plaster needed.

20 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Service Self-made

A straight-forward method of working is to spray on the layer of foam. To be observed when dispensing this mate- rial is that it will expand by at least 100 percent. Good ventilation at the workplace is necessary as well. Curing can be speeded up by spraying water from an atomizer onto the freshly applied foam. It takes about two hours for the foam to take up its final volume. There might be bubbles of fresh foam still in the thicker layers and this is why it's best to wait a day before cutting the foam.

Layer of plaster modeled to give the rock structure A layer of plaster at least two centimeters (0.8 in.) in thick- ness has to be applied for the rock surfaces. So that not too much plaster will be forced through the wire mesh, 8 these areas can be covered beforehand using plaster The locations for setting up the accessories can be started now that the dressings. Such dressings are available from Noch, skeleton for the terrain is finished. There is a place here for the signal bridge amongst others. Strips cut to size are immersed briefly based on the Swiss original. in water. After placing, the thin layer of plaster on the dressings is then brushed over uniformly with a soft brush. It takes about an hour for the layer of plaster to set. The modeling plaster, also available from most hardware outlets, can now be applied. Once set, the rocks can be modeled from the plaster as desired using various tools like ripping chisels. This is best done immediately after the layer has set. Under no circumstances shall the mate- rial have dried out. If the work has to be interrupted, the plaster should be protected from drying out by covering with moist cloths. Important for such work are of course good photos of the original since rock structures can vary considerably depending on the region. If the results are not immediately satisfactory, you can simply add another layer of plaster and start again. It applies here: Practice makes perfect. An alternative for those not wanting to use 9 this method is to work with rock formations already cast. The cut-to-size layer of foam is now given a thin coating of plaster. This The molds for such are available from accessories suppli- provides a firm hold for the bushes and trees added later as the vegetation. ers like Noch. The foamed areas of the layout are given a

7 10 Curing the freshly applied foam can be accelerated by spraying on water. Areas already styled, like around the route for instance, should be covered The landscape is then shaped using a sharp knife. over with cardboard. Plaster debris and dust are difficult to remove otherwise.

21 Service Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Self-made

Re 10/10 – this is how the Swiss railroaders call the combination of Re 4/4 II and Re 6/6 – pulling a train carrying alumina, is passing over the Untere Meienreuss Bridge. Locomotives and cars have been discreetly aged.

layer of plaster as well. The terrain is shaped as desired beforehand using a sharp knife. Once thoroughly cured it's child's play to cut the foam. The thin layer of plaster then added is not for shaping purposes but rather to give the taller vegetation like bushes and trees a more secure hold. The next installment of our construction series is devoted to the vegetation for our Alpine landscape. We have already selected the materials to match from the acces- sories manufacturers. We are wanting to style the area around the Untere Meienreuss Bridge as realistically as possible. More on this in Part 5. 11 Rock faces can be modeled out from the plaster not yet hardened by using Text and photographs: Michael Siemens ripping chisels. The layer of plaster should be at least 20 millimeters (0.8 in.) Opener and Photo p. 22 top: Klaus Eckert in thickness.

22 Trix-Clubnews 06/2010 Service Club info

New cooperation partners As a Trix Club member, you are offered concessions by our cooperation partners. On this page we introduce new partners to you.

Bavaria Filmstadt Modellbahnzentrum Schluchsee

Bavariafilmplatz 7, 82031 Geiselgasteig, Germany Eisenbreche 4, 79859 Schluchsee, Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 89/64 99 20 00, E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +49 (0) 76 56/98 84 01, E-mail: [email protected] Homepage: www.filmstadt.de Homepage: www.modellbahn-schluchsee.de

Times of opening: Times of opening: Guided tours in the off-season from November 8, 2010, until April 15, From April until October and during the vacation period at 2011, on the hour, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guided tours in the busy Christmas, open daily from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., except Thursday and season from April 16, 2011, to November 6, 2011, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday. In summer (June 15 – September 15) only closed on Friday. Also open on public holidays. A 90-minute tour over the 320,000 square meters (383 sq. yds.) of Bavaria Filmstadt gives an insight into shooting and the complexity There are more than 35 trains running over the two layouts at the of the scenes - for such popular TV productions as the daily Schluchsee model railroad center. The H0 layout takes the visitors on a "Marienhof" and the telenova "Sturm der Liebe". Transparency is journey through the Black Forest and some fantastic alpine landscapes given in the production of great movies like "Die wilden Kerle", "Die – there is even a city in miniature here, and a small works railroad unendliche Geschichte" and "Das Boot". In the original decorations linking up various manufacturing facilities. True to the original, the from Michael Bully Herbig's film "(T)Raumschiff Surprise – Periode Höllental- und Dreiseenbahn has been reproduced here over some 1" the visitor is actually standing live in front of the camera. Bavaria 45 square meters (484 sq. ft.), whereby the highlight of the steep and Filmstadt will be providing a new and unique attraction starting the winding route through the Alps is the Bietschtal viaduct. Running on spring of 2011: On some 2,000 square meters (22 sq. ft.) there will the more than 400 meters (1,312 ft.) of track through the scenarios be the "Bully­versum" – an interactive discovery journey full of are steam locomotives in service to pull museum trains, the Crocodile surprises from Michael Bully Herbig, Germany's most successful of course in Switzerland, and trains of the Austrian Railways and producer, actor and comedian. The computer animation film "Lissi Deutsche Bahn AG in the valleys. There are even animations of vehicles und die wilde Kaiserfahrt" that Michael Bully Herbig has created on country roads. Day and night are simulated and eight other effects with the Filmstadt specially for the visitors, will be shown in the 4D are to be triggered by pressing buttons. The eye-catcher on the gauge- adventure movie theater. The high-resolution projection and very- N layout with its some 100 meters (328 ft.) of track is the main station latest in sound techniques give the impression here of being a part of with eleven platforms, complete with loco depot and turntable, as well the film. as a wide-span ICE bridge. Freight and local trains are in action on the other side of the high-speed route. Besides rolling stock, the model rail- road shop has a large selection of landscaping material and accessories.

» Your Club benefit: On show- ing their Club card, Trix club members receive a discount of Euro 1 on single tickets for the guided tour and the combined ticket or a Euro 2 reduction on a family ticket. Entrance fees can be found at www.filmstadt.de. Dis- » Your Club benefit: On showing their Club card, counts cannot be combined Trix Club members receive a discount of 50 with other reductions. cents on the regular entrance fee for a single ticket or a Euro 1.50 discount on a family ticket.

Photos: Bavaria Film Photos: Modellbahnzentrum Schluchsee 23 The Editorial team and all the staff at the Trix Club wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

E 160575