MARK HOLLAND tells us about this annual continental preview day, held earlier in the month.
On the 9th of April this year we again held our annual continental railway day; BAHNFEST.
This is a chance for members of the public who may already be involved in the continental side of the hobby, or thinking about it, to come along to our shop in Ford, West Sussex and view new, current, and sale items from a range of companies - the leading manufacturers and some smaller ones as well.
Jeff's Z Scale Layout. Click image for a larger version.
A close-up of some of the scenic detail. Click image for a larger version.
Along with an expanded shop display of locos, rolling stock and associated items, there were working layouts covering HO, HOe, N, and Z Scale for members of the public to view and ask as many questions that came to mind, and in the case of Z scale, wonder at what our colleague Jeff had achieved with his Marklin layout in such a small scale!
Answering the many questions and demonstrating the Z21 Layout Control System from Roco, John and Jack had fun showing what is possible with wireless digital control in a small end to end HO layout. Operating the sounds on the Roco Snow Blower from the other side of the shop raised more than a few amazed eyebrows!
Wolpertinger Hbf. Click image for a larger version.
Visiting us with his N Scale layout this year, I'm glad to say, was Paul Smith. His excellent layout showcases modern continental operations at their finest. I'll let him describe his own setup as he can do a better job of it than me!
Click image for a larger version.
Paul says: "Wolpertinger Hbf is a European N Scale (1:160) DCC layout set in the south-east of Germany in the current DB era (Epoch VI). Operation is via handheld throttles on smart phones using a Z21 base station."
The Main Station. Click image for a larger version.
"The layout which consists of a seven platform main station (Hauptbahnhof), loco servicing depot centred on a working FM9152C Fleischmann turntable and a small S-bahn stabling point. The layout features extensive overhead catenary which is a mixture of Sommerfeldt and scratch built."
"Rolling stock is Era V/VI representing modern European passenger and freight operation over the last 10 years, from Fleischmann, Trix HO, Minitrix, Kato, Hobbytrain, and Brawa."
"This layout was conceived as an exercise in representing modern mainline operations in a tight space, whilst still allowing operational interest. The layout is operable as two elements, each with a discrete fiddle yard; there are three through mainlines which pass though the station, with a further four terminating bay platforms, served by a seven road fiddle yard. To the rear of the station is the local suburban S-bahn platform served by a separate fiddle yard, which has a small stabling point beyond the station for both modern EMUs and short loco-hauled trains."
Minitrains dual-gauge layout built by John Hills. Click image for a larger version.
Rounding off the displays this year was John Hills. His layout showcasing MiniTrains HOe is another fine example of what is possible in a relatively small space. As HOe is narrow gauge, it is an interesting half-way house, the modeller being able to make all scenic aspects of the layout HO (1:87 scale) while combing this with the smaller space requirements of an N Scale layout.
That rounds off another successful BAHNFEST at the Engine Shed in sunny West Sussex.
If you couldn't join us this time why not try to join us at one (or more) of our upcoming events here at Gaugemaster HQ.