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HO Scale - Page 3

Liliput

The new 2007 full catalogue was available before the trade fair; some models marked as new therein differ from those highlighted in the separate new items leaflet distributed at the event. Some seem to announce major new items not for release in the coming year but the one after - this may be honest in terms of being realistic about development and delivery times, or could simply be a means of putting down markers to ward off others. Most projects must be under consideration, research, development, and tooling for a similarly long period before production actually begins but most manufacturers do not announce their intentions until the process is further advanced (barring unforeseen delays) and delivery dates can be reasonably estimated.

All new designs now have the Märklin/Trix 21-pole socket as the decoder interface. Most new locos will be available in DCC and AC versions as well as DC. The digital models use an ESU Lok-Pilot decoder.

Among the new projects is the BR05 4-6-4 05 003 as rebuilt to conventional form after the war. It is illustrated with a prototype picture only at this stage, and will not be delivered until 2008. There was no sign the streamlined cab-forward original version announced last year.

Liliput also plan the BR71 2-4-2T, specifically one of the two Borsig-built machines of the second (1936) batch of four, which remained in service with the DB until May 1955. Again, illustrated with prototype pictures only at this stage, it will not be delivered until 2008.

The BR922-3 0-8-0T will be backdated to Baden Xb condition, with correct features such as low coal bunker, oil lamps, and small air pump.

The ET11 two-car electric railcars of 1934, with a body shape similar to the high speed diesel railcars developed at that period, may still be awaited in DB Epoch III form but Liliput are already announcing a new version, backdated to DRG elT1901, illustrated only with a prototype picture. An unpainted advanced sample was shown (below). They were only used on the München - Augsburg - Stuttgart route, and the war prevented series production.

On the passenger front, the Langenschwalbacher short bogie stock (all six body types) will be produced with DR Epoch III markings.

In preparation is a new model of the unique SalonR6ü-40 dining car No.10 245 Berlin, which was built to be presented by the German authorities to the Italian government, but never delivered. Due to the weight of the special interior fittings, it required six-wheel bogies. After the war it was commandeered by the US Army, and not handed over to the DB until 1951. It remained in use until 1973. The first version of the model should be in Epoch II form; an undecorated mock-up was displayed (above).

The former Baden long wheelbase four-wheel bal-cony-ended coaches (first, composite, and two seconds) will be offered with DB Epoch III markings. They remained in traffic until 1963 but were withdrawn when wooden-bodied stock was forbidden.

New freight stock includes two more Epoch I Baden beer vans, ‘Sinner’ with enclosed brake house and ‘Pritz’ with open platform (below).

Following the wartime bogie tank wagon of 630hl capacity, Liliput propose a new model of the smaller frameless 430hl version, and an unpainted pre-pro-duction sample was shown (below). The type Omm ‘Linz’ four-wheel flat with and without brake platform will also appear with DRG Epoch II markings.

In the military range, there will be new versions of the G ‘Stettin’ van with raised brake house and the Ghs ‘Oppeln’ van in camouflage colours, and a set transporting a ‘Seehund’ miniature submarine and torpedoes on a type SSyms ‘Köln’ heavy duty six-axle bogie flat and a type Omm ‘Linz’ four-wheel flat.

There are to be new versions of the type Ommr four-wheel open with coal load, a six-wheel tank as a ‘Dujardin’ wine wagon, and an ‘Augustiner Bräu’ beer van with DB Epoch III markings while the former Prussian six-wheel clerestory-roofed horsebox with raised brake cabin is planned in DR Epoch III form as a type Gvwhu. Staying with the DR in Epoch III, expect two further versions of the 630hl bogie tank wagon, one as used by the ‘Leuna’ concern, and two further versions of the six-wheel tank wagon, one with brake platform, the other with brake house and end-of-train markers.

The type Es four-wheel open with coal load gains DB Epoch IV markings, and there is to be a new model of the DB type Sahs711 heavy duty flat with six-wheel bogies, loaded with steel coils, and the Sahimms variant with end bulkheads and hooped tarpaulin cover, used for steel rolls; both are depicted with prototype photos at this stage.

For Epoch V there are new versions of a small four-wheel tank wagon and a modern bogie tanker as used by the ‘Aral’ company.

Switzerland

A new model of the SBB A3/5 4-6-0 of the 700 series, in Epoch I form, is planned; delivery is anticipated for 2008, and the project is represented only with prototype pictures.

The modern Stadler ‘FLIRT’ lightweight articulated railcars for regional services, introduced in 2004, as announced last year, is still awaited.

There will be a limited edition special set to mark 125 years of the Gotthard, consisting of four bogie coaches (first, composite, and second in blue livery and a baggage van in brown): these are new models and shown as prototype pictures only.

Also offered is a set of six assorted freight vehicles of the period - Gotthard Bahn K2d vans with and without brake house, Nord Ost Bahn K2 van, a beer van from the ‘Spiess’ brewery of Luzern, a K02 van of the Elsaß-Lothringen railways, and six-wheel tank wagon from Baden.

For Epoch II, there will be a new model of an insulated four-wheel van with brake platform, initially as used by the ‘Bell’ company for meat transport.

The selection of new versions for Epoch IV/V is much wider: a set of two four-wheel tank wagons, one used by ‘Sodafabrik Zurzach’, the other for wine by the ‘Riotton’ company (prototype pictures only); a bogie tank wagon with ‘Avia’ branding (prototype picture only); the new model of the 480hl bogie tank as used by ‘Cica’ (drawing only); a set of two Eaos bogie open wagons loaded with old paper bales (not illustrated); a type Es four-wheel open in brown livery (not illustrated); another bogie ballast hopper lettered for ‘Weiacher Kies’ (not illustrated); a set of two bogie hoppers used by ‘Vetro Recycling’ (prototype picture only); and the type Fans-u bogie side tipping open in further SBB grey and BLS blue versions (the latter not illustrated).

For Austria, the BR42 2-10-0 will be issue with ÖBB Epoch III markings as 42 2397 with a tub tender with crew cabin (prototype photo only).

The class 2060 four-wheel diesel shunter will be offered in Epoch III green and Epoch IV/V red.

There was no evidence of the class 9313 mixed traffic 2-8-2T (BBÖ class 378), 167 of which were delivered from 1927, with the last being withdrawn as late as 1982. Epoch II and III versions are planned, including the Giesl ejector variant.

A sleeping car will be produced to accompany the modern ‘rolling road’ lorry trains (not illustrated), and there will be a new Epoch IV running number for the six-axle heavy duty bogie flat with fold-away brake platform railings and removable side stakes.

The Swiss-style bogie ballast hopper will get ÖBB Epoch V markings and the Swiss side tipping bogie open will be modelled as now in service with Wiener Lokalbahn; both are shown with prototype pictures.

The proposed model of the SNCF 140C 2-8-0, with 18B tender and a choice of two numbers, is still listed but not illustrated.

The second brand new model is an early electric, the Bavarian EG 4x1/1 (later EG1), a Bo-Bo design with individual traction motors on each axle that was well ahead of its time when introduced in 1914/5. The pair were used on the steeply-graded line from Freilassing to Berchtesgaden. Although successful, no more were built and the design was not developed for another twenty years. Both passed to the DRG and were not withdrawn until 1937 and 1941. The model will be offered in Bavarian green & cream and DRG brown as class E73 (above), with digital sound an option for both. Again, they should arrive in the fourth quarter.

Among new versions of existing electrics are the massive E95 1-C+C-1 in DRG post-1937 form with Reichsadler emblem (third quarter), and the tiny E69 four-wheel steeple cab as rebuilt in 1955, in DB Epoch III green as E69 03.

Diesels in new guises include the DB V160 B-B in Epoch III wine red (second quarter); DR BR132 Co-Co ‘Ludmilla’ in Epoch IV red (second quarter); DR V100 as Epoch IV BR110 (third quarter); former DR V100 in contemporary BASF green, one of three rebuilt by Adtranz (third quarter); DB V320 C-C in the present yellow livery of the Wiebe track maintenance company (third quarter); former DR BR119 C-C ‘U-Boat’ as DBAG BR219 in Epoch V traffic red (second quarter); and DR V23 0-4-0 shunter in Epoch III blue livery (fourth quarter).

The Talent articulated railcar will be produced as an Austrian electric variant (below), ÖBB class 4024 for the four-car set and 4023 for the three-car set; both are due in the fourth quarter, and the latter is illustrated only by a prototype picture.

MÁV have also ordered a dual voltage variant of the four-car set, and Brawa also list this, also for the fourth quarter and illustrated only with a prototype picture.

New versions of the existing model of the diesel Talent, a two-car unit as DBAG BR643.2 and a three-car in NordWestBahn blue, yellow & white are both already available.

A significant gap in the range of passenger stock will be filled with a new model of the Di24 four-wheel standard branch line coach, a shorter variant of the ‘Thunderbox’ dating from 1926/7, initially with DB Epoch III markings (above). To accompany it will be models of the Bi24 second and Pwi29a baggage van with cupola lookout, though these are both represented by drawings only at this stage. The standard Z28 clerestory roofed prison cell coach is also scheduled. All are due in the fourth quarter. 

New versions of existing models for Epoch I include a Württemberg C4 ‘American’ fourth class bogie coach as rebuilt, and a clerestory roof four-wheel post van with Württemberg markings (both in the second quarter).

There will be new versions of several coaches with DRG Epoch II markings - the Prussian AB4ü Pr15 composite, B4ü Pr21 second, and Pw4ü Pr16 baggage clerestory-roof ‘iron’ D-Zug bogie coaches with rivetted bodywork, all noted for the second quarter, as is C4i Wü01 former Württemberg third class bogie coach. In the third quarter, expect the Württemberg four-wheel compartment second as a DRG fourth class vehicle. Two of the ‘Thunderbox’ coaches introduced last year, the Cid21 third and CPostid21 post/third, also appear in DRG Epoch II form at this time. 

A former Schweizer Central Bahn four-wheel first/second composite (based on the Württemberg style) will be finished as SBB AB 1428 in the third quarter.

On the freight side, there will be a new model of the Pwgi Pr99 short four-wheel baggage/crew van with cupola lookout, initially in DRG markings (above), in the fourth quarter.

New freight vehicles for Epoch I include a Württemberg type J four-wheel open wagon with brake platforms both ends, due in the third quarter; the model will have a cast metal body. Other new versions are a Württemberg type SSm eight-wheel depressed centre flat car carrying a ‘Raydt’ container (third quarter); a Württemberg type G van with brake platform one end (third quarter); and Württemberg type Gm van with unbraked 4.6m wheelbase four-wheel chassis (available now).

Brawa also plan to offer appropriate vehicles with Bavarian markings - the type G van, in two versions, green (first quarter) and red-brown (third quarter); a type X lowside with brake house, also two versions, red-brown (first quarter) and green (third quarter); and a four-wheel tank wagon with brake house, lettered for the ‘BAG’ chemical company of Heufeld in Bavaria (first quarter). This wagon also appears decorated for ‘Emil Kessler’, registered with the SBB (third quarter).

Moving on to Epoch II, the former Württemberg latrine wagons (a flat carrying three large barrels) will be produced as a set of three with DRG markings, likewise a pair of Hrz bolsters with a log load (both third quarter). The type G ‘München’ and type Gu ‘Hannover’ four-wheel 4.6m wheelbase vans are already available, as is a set of three of the G10 four-wheel vans introduced last year with DB Epoch III markings. Autumn this year should see a variant of the G10 with raised brake cabin in DB Epoch III markings (below).

There are to be new Epoch III versions of the eight-wheel tank wagon, a silver ‘Rheinpreussen’ registered with the DB and a DR yellow ‘Minol’, both due in the second quarter.

The next brand new model will be the DR type Gags bogie van (below), introduced in 1966 as GGhrsz, with Epoch IV markings (fourth quarter).

New versions for Epoch IV include a DR Samm heavy duty wagon with low sides on six-wheel bogies carrying three large steel pipes (third quarter) and the ‘Interfrigo’ UIC standard type 1 insulated van in a set of three registered with the SBB with different markings (second quarter). The freight programme is rounded off with a new version of the modern ‘Megafret’ low floor container wagon close-coupled pair carrying 40' ‘Willi Betz’ yellow and ‘Hamburg Süd’ red containers (already available).

Gützold

Gützold are continuing to work on the BR980, the Sachsen ITV 0-4-4-0T Meyer compound, eighteen of which were built by Hartmann from 1910. Fifteen passed to the DRG, and twelve to the DR, where they were noted for use on the steep and sharply curved Windberg line, and latterly also on uranium ore trains. They were withdrawn by 1967, but the class leader is preserved, non-operational, at Chemnitz Hilbersdorf. The first version of the model will be in DR Epoch III form. Some moulded parts were shown, and second quarter delivery is now anticipated.

The next major loco project is confirmed as the BR5830 reko three-cylinder 2-10-0; the first version will be in Epoch IV form with the box tender. This really fills a gap in the range of available DR steam locos, but it is not due until early 2008.

Early in 2007 the BR19 2-8-2 (former Sachsen XX HV) (below) should appear in DRG Epoch II form.

Three new versions of the BR5620-29 - DRG Epoch II with pulverised coal tender, DR Epoch III, and DB Epoch III, all with new running numbers, and now fitted with NEM coupling pockets, are due in the second quarter.

The DR V200 ‘Taigatrommel’ Co-Co diesel, in Epoch III form, will be offered with a factory-fitted ESU LokSound™ decoder and speaker (first quarter.) Later in the year (fourth quarter), a non-sound version of the model will be offered as a CSD (Czech) class T679.

There will be new versions of the DR V180 C-C diesel for Epoch III and Epoch IV (as BR118) with new running numbers, and both are also offered fitted with LokSound™ (fourth and third quarters, respectively).

In the fourth quarter, the DR BR119 C-C diesel in Epoch IV finish gets a new running number, and the option of LokSound™.

The DR BR105 0-8-0 diesel (formerly V60) in Epoch IV orange with grey running gear gets new number in the second quarter; it will also be offered as a CSD (Czech) class 716.

Heris

The next version of the experimental Henschel/BBC DE2500 diesel electric will be the Co-Co in white livery as DB 202 202; there seemed to be plenty of examples on the stand.

The Russian-built ‘Kaluga’ type TGK-E1 four-wheel diesel shunter, as also used by various East German industries, was still only represented by test mouldings of the body and frames. The initial releases will be in Epoch IV yellow without specific industry identification, likewise in blue, in Russian green, and Czech orange. Unpowered models of particular examples are planned.

A new proposal is the Austrian 5047 bogie diesel railcar, in two ÖBB and two GySEV versions, but no samples were seen or illustrated in the new items summary list.

Other planned releases are mostly re-runs of existing popular models.

For Germany, there will be a set of three of the experimental double-deck coaches with a post van, in Epoch IV green; the bogie heating van as a Bahnhofswagen, with Epoch IV markings; a type Mci substitute coach (rebuilt van) further converted to a car transporter, for Epoch III, and as a ‘Rollende Weinkeller’, with either original open or later closed end platforms; the type Bcm243/Bcüm246 couchette coach in seven new Epoch IV versions; the type T2s sleeper in DB Epoch V blue; the type EVA insulated van in nine different fish, water, and beer finishes from Epoch II to IV; the type 263 van in DB Epoch V express goods service; and an interesting new model, a bogie flat wagon for transporting narrow gauge stock, of which an advance sample was shown (above).

There will be also be a range of models based on a standard Eastern European type Gbs-z long wheelbase four-wheel van (below), with appropriate details (doors, panels, etc.) and markings to suit various administrations, past and present.

Austria

The former City Night Line double-deck sleeper will appear with ÖBB markings Epoch V (below), and there will a T2s sleeper as rebuilt and in new ÖBB livery, plus a former DB/NS type Bcm couchette second as used by ÖBB and Rail Cargo Austria on the ‘Rollende Landstraße’ workings. The City Airport Train (CAT) double-deck coach is to have ‘Air Berlin’ advertising, and the modular coaches will be produced with three numbers each in the original red and new colour schemes.

Switzerland

The type Bpm saloon second is planned in four further Epoch IV/V finishes - orange, EWIV, ICN, and ICN with short window band (below).

Italy

The T2 sleeper will be made in the FS 'Excelsior' finish, Epoch IV/V, with choice of two numbers, while the couchette coach will be in Epoch IV grey with a different number and running on Au24 bogies.

Jugoslavia

A former DB Bcm243 couchette coach is due in JZ Epoch IV/V green with the new logo.

Romania

There will be two sets each consisting of one Bcm couchette coach and one T2s sleeper, one pair in red and the other in the newer livery, both with Epoch V markings.

Belgium

For France, there will be a set of two USI seconds in green & grey with Epoch V TER logo, and the CIWL type P stainless steel sleeper is to be offered with SNCF Epoch V markings.

There is still no sign of the CIWL dining car (from the 4209 - 4218 batch) and the distinctive early boat train bogie baggage cars, with a central fixed section with cupola lookout and space either end for the luggage containers. Both blue and brown & cream versions were planned. (Heris CIWL models are made under licence from and with the approval of the company.)

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