Last
updated October 11, 2016.
MODELING
THE SWISS SBB and BLS RAILWAYS
The Layout
After spending two years in the mid 1980s in Zürich,
Switzerland,
I decided to build a Swiss layout. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
serves Zürich, so I decided this would be the primary
focus.
I found the private line, Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon
(BLS), also interesting, and decided to model it
also. This
works well since both are seen on each other's tracks.
The time period is the 1990s. Areas modeled are the Zürich
main station (Hauptbahnhof), Därligen station in
canton Bern,
and the area around the hydroelectric facility at Schräh
dam at lake Wägital in
canton Schwyz. There is one section
which is pure fantasy and that is the village of Muffikon, and the
near-by mountain of Moxiberg.
Track Plan
Track
Plan(full) Track
Plan(lower) Track
Plan(upper)
The upper track is 6 inches (15.24 cm) above the lower track.
Progress
Phase 1, 1st stage. This work began in 2001. Progress is
always
slower than I would like. Most work is done on weekends, and competes
with other weekend tasks. Phase 1 consists of a 3' x 16' flat table,
constructed in sections. The first stage was the table construction and
track laying. The second stage was stringing catenary, and adding the
LED turnout position indicators on the fascia.
All phase 1 track has
been laid. I've placed the buildings where they "might" belong (May
2002). I have decided since to move some, and will work out the final
details later.
Phase
1, 2nd stage
(showing
catenary)
Phase
2, 1st stage
(under
construction)
Phase
2, 2nd stage
(more construction)
Phase
2, 3rd stage (more
construction, DCC installed)
Phase
2, 4th stage (scenery around
the hydroelectric plant)
Motive Power
A list of the vehicles that either pull/push other rolling stock can be
found here.
DCC Comes to the Layout
May 17, 2008-- At long last, I finally ordered, and received my EasyDCC
radio system. What a dream come true. The installation went without a
hitch.
European Train Enthusiasts
If you have an interest in European trains, there is an organization
for you. The ETE
is an group of people who share this interest with you. There are
chapters in various regions of the USA and Canada, but even if there
isn't one in your area, you can join as a member at large. The ETE
supports a Yahoo forum group where members can exchange ideas and
information pertaining to European trains. I belong to the Central
Arizona Chapter.
Items of Interest
SBB
Launches TV Ad Campain
In the spring of 2012, the Swiss
Federal
Railways debuted a new TV ad using their own employees, including the
vocalists. The song "Welcome Home" was written for this purpose, and
sung by Selina Beyeler (an office specialist in the traffic management
unit at the Zürich Hauptbahnhof) and Hanspeter
Zweifel
(locomotive
driver). You can see the commercial here: Welcome
Home.
The song, by the way, reached number 9 on the Swiss pop charts.
I
hope you have enjoyed viewing the layout. If you have
any comments, please send me a note.
Tim Johnson-- Tucson, AZ