Suggestions on German - Swiss border area to model
Hi to all, After much consideration I have decided to build a small (50 x 100 cm.) section of a German - Swiss border area. I prefer to include a somewhat sizeable station too so that i can use the layout for shunting. Era will be mainly 1, but i think of using/displaying some of my DRG stuff at times on this quasi-layout. I have few K.Bay.Sts.B. locomotives but very few cars to go with them. Any suggestions? Also track plans, car suggestions, photos, etc. will be much appreciated. Mind you that this is not going to be a complete layout: the tracks will not go around it. Best Regards, Cem.

Cem try http://www.kbaystb.de/, http://www.modellbahnstudio-thueringen.de/, and http://altezeitgruppe.com/bayern_branchlines.htm for starters. Not necessarily any stuff on border stations with Switzerland, but some great inspiration to be going on with.

Roger hi, Thanks for the great links - much helpful. Regards, Cem.

Cem, In terms of coaching stock: if you are portraying a branch line, the Bavarians produced specific 4-wheeler coaches for that purpose known as Lokalbahnwagen. There are 'long' coaches with 6m axle bases produced from 1891 onwards and 'short' coaches with 5m axle bases built from 1906. Not to be forgotten are the GwL 'short' goods vans with various axle bases typically 4.5 m. if you are modelling a main line, there are various 6-wheeler and 8-wheeler options, but beware of the Trix C3ü which is fictitious. The Trix Pw3ü and AB3ü are okay, but use the Roco 3rd class wagon with barrel roof (Roco 45419) instead of the Trix one. Note that the ever popular Trix Pwg or Pg is a luggage van for passenger trains, not a guards van for a goods train.

Paul hi, Thanks for the valuable input. I will go for a branch-line for the time being. Rolling stock will be easier as i have none :D so i'll start buying and will make fewer errors - thanks to you. Another question: i decided to go for a set-up like the nr 5 in altezeitgruppe site (link above) - it is an end-station. in the drawing there's no lines to turn the locomotives around although there is a two-loko shed. do you think it it is suitable to add a loop or a triangle to this set-up? Best regards, cem.

Cem, Branchline locos do not need to be turned, they tend to spend their lives pointing in one direction. If you really need a turntable use a small Fleischmann but you really do not need one. Tim

Tim hi, Thanks for the info! I just wondered if a triangle or loop would be logical - but now it seems that it is not really necessary. I never thought of a turntable for such a small end-station. Ok then, one more question: in the drawing there is a twin-loko shed. Should I take it that two locomotives will be stationed here (maybe one shunter and one service loko)? Best Regards, Cem.

Cem, There really is no easy answer because the plan is generic, if you want two locos, then the branch needs two locos but most branches were short and the traffic was not busy, so only one was used. When the loco needed major servicing, it would often be supplemented with a spare loco from the nearest Bw. But again, no real need for too much infrastructure: no turntable etc. this is the attraction of a branchline, it is a minimalist system. Look at the plan for Grafenwalde, there is just the minimum.

Cem, As it happens Roco are bringing out a set of Epoch I Bavarian Lokalbahnwagen this year, item no 46000: These could easily be supplemented by further long (Lange) coaches from ebay as follows: Roco set 44018 - 2 x CL, 1 x BPostL and 1 x Pwl Roco 44827 - CL Trix 23019 - BCL Trix 23020 - CL There is also the Ludwig Thoma branch line set which includes a classic D XI loco plus BCL, CL and PPostL - Trix Set 21226 Finally Roco do a set of 4 'short' (Kurze) coaches (no 44014) if you prefer also obtainable on ebay. If you're only modelling one station, you can probably get away with 2 locos (e.g. a D XI and a GtL 4/4) plus 2-3 CL, 2 GwL and a few goods wagons (say 3 x O and a couple of specials). For variety, make a handful of loads for the open wagons. HTH

Hi Tim, I have chosen to go for a branchline for the "minimalist" side of it indeed! Point taken. I'll post my drawing later. All the best, Cem.

Paul hi, I will check the Roco stuff. I already have a PtL 2/2 (Marklin), a B VI (Marklin), and a Pt 3/6 (Rivarossi) but will try to add another - i like the D XII a lot. I generally do not prefer Roco locomotives (although I have a couple), but I like their coaches. What I really want is a Gt 4/4 as you suggest, I'm looking into the new sound K.Bay.Sts.B. from Marklin. Thanks for the advice. Regards, Cem.

Cem, The Roco site says its available 3/08 i.e. March, but the traffic light still shows red. So it should be obtainable at Dortmund, but... Be aware that the B VI was an early main line loco - really Epoch 1a - that was not used on branches. The Pt 3/6 and D XII (twelve) were also main line engines, although the latter was sometimes used on branch lines in Epoch II, but never Epoch I. The D XI (eleven) was the classic branch line engine. Trix produced 2 models in K.Bay.Sts.B. livery so there may be a Märklin variant but I don't know. The GtL 4/4 was more of a goods branch line engine, but could haul mixed services too. You may have to trawl ebay for some of these.

Paul hi, I thought B VI's have been used in branchline service too but maybe in Era 2 - i'm not sure. D XI - not sure if Marklin produced any but Trix will do as I can convert it to 3 rail. So my next purchases will include a D XI or a Gt 4/4 + some cars. Time to get my hands dirty - but for another project. This one will have to wait until late June. Until then I will collect more info and I will visit my uncle in Germany - maybe I'll get some ideas about the area to model while I'm there. Best Regards, Cem.

AFAIK The last remaining BVI was taken out of service during WWI, certainly none survived in service after 1920 despite Maerklin's fatuous claims. If they were ever used on a branchline, it would have been to continue a mainline service to its ultimate destination rather than being part of the branchline's core infrastructure. It should be noted that the KBayStsB provided branchlines with motive unique to branchline service rather than cascade older motive power as is common elsewhere therefore the use of a mainline loco (albeit small and old) is doubtful. Although much of the above is theory, it is based on well documented practice rather than mere conjecture, no doubt someone will have a different opinion.