11i_Allegra_rfinal_RZ.indd 12 13.11.2012 16:24:03 Uhr Rail pleasure Allegra

NEW RELEASE Pleasure in the mountains and in G gauge Text: Manfred Buchner Photos: Andrea Badrutt, Hendrik Hauschild, RhB

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Technology which fits superbly into a spectacular natural landscape.

Allegra. Its name stands for pure pleasure. And that’s what you get when you see the new star of the heading over the viaduct. The Allegra brings not only high-tech to the line linking Thusis and Tirano and which is over 100 years old – no matter whether it is cross- ing Landwasser Viaduct, taking the loop at Brusio, negotiating one of the helical tunnels or running over one of the many bridges. Not for nothing have the Albula and Bernina lines been on the Trip into the blue: when UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list since 2008 the Allegra on the Albula – they are part of one of the most spectacular line crosses Landwasser narrow-gauge railroads in the world. Viaduct (left) or is working on the Chur-Arosa line Garden railroaders will not have to wait much (below), the symbiosis of longer for this delicacy of model railroad engi- technology and nature seems to have been mas- neering. The rolling symbol of the Rhaetian Rail- tered to perfection. ways will be appearing in model form in 2013.

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St. M oritz

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St. M oritz

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1 The classic Rhaetian Railway route: from Thusis to Tirano via St. Moritz. 5 Since 2008, the Albula and Bernina lines have been part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. 2 Impressions of the line in : the Allegra multiple unit on the Chur – Arosa line. 3 Between lake and Alpine roses: an Allegra along- side Lago Bianco on the . 4 Where the mountain stream tumbles: an Allegra below the Bernina Stream above Morteratsch. 5 Main arch: the Lang- wiesner Viaduct on the Chur – Arosa line.

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The designers skimped on nothing. Details lovingly included and powerful motors in the driving ends will give endless pleasure.

Tamas Bakos, in charge of Model development: “A top model we are all very much looking “It was one of the most interesting challenges so forward to” is the unanimous opinion of LGB far, to produce the Allegra in model form from fans. Karsten Speyer of the Gartenbahner Süd- the Rhaetian Railroad’s drawings in 1:22.5 scale”. west is already picturing operations in his mind’s Prototype and model are as alike as two peas eye: “Many LGB enthusiasts have already built in a pod; not a single detail has been skimped. interesting bridges and viaducts. The Allegra Mirrors, screen wipers, brake hoses and aerials will be a model to grace any garden layout”. are all authentically reproduced, just like the engineer’s cabs and their interior fittings. And just as on the original, the doors can be opened on the model too. Even the striking snow-plows are perfect replicas of the prototype: the outer snow-plow with gap for the coupling hook is mounted on the car body, while the inner one is mounted on the truck. The model also shows its power, like the original: each of its driving end cars is fitted with a Bühler motor. That means that just as in everyday traffic on the Rhaetian Railway, extra cars can be hooked on. The model version with MZS decoder (item No. 20225) has a number of additional technical refinements such as exten- sive sound functions or pantographs which raise and lower automatically, according to the di- rection of travel. Tamas Bakos: “The powerful Allegra contains an enormous amount of high- tech. It can be used on any garden railroad lay- out in as many different ways as the original”.

Option for use: the hook- and-bar coupling can be removed. Filling-in sec- tions (supplied) can be screwed on to give a full- width snow-plow. In this way, the Allegra cuts a fine figure as a solo vehicle as well.

11i_Allegra_rfinal_RZ.indd 18 13.11.2012 16:25:04 Uhr You can already see the lovingly applied details in the model simulation: mirrors, screen wipers, air-hoses – the designers have skimped on nothing. So that the powerful Allegra model will be the center of attraction on every garden railroad.

All-rounder: the show- piece of the RhB can run on both direct or alter- nating current supply, and can change over systems while traveling. Thanks to its power output, the Allegra is also capable of towing freight cars or other special cars in regular service.

11i_Allegra_rfinal_RZ.indd 19 19.11.2012 8:38:35 Uhr