Anderslej, my Slovenian layout

[andersley]

I have modelled in all scales, and many different countries, but after a holiday in Slovenia, I just had to model the railways of that country.

First, the trackplan


Overall views of the layout




Some birds eye views

[andersley]

Some locomotives

Series 362 Bo-Bo-Bo (known as "bellows" for obvious reasons) - the last of these were recently retired from service. The model is mainly scratchbuilt and is awaiting decals, being made for me by a Slovenian friend.


Series 363 French built locos known as "Brigittes", for a famous French filmstar. This will be rebuilt with new side grilles and many other additions to correctly recreate these very impressive locos. (My favourite SZ type).


Series 541 Siemens "Taurus". This is the first model supplied ready to run for SZ (after much pressure by SZ fans to Roco) to supply this paint scheme on one their current models.


Siemens 189. Some of these locos were hired for a while until the 541's were delivered. Nicknamed "Helga".


Italian Railways (FS) E655 Bo-Bo-Bo. These locomotives worked through to Ljubljana Zalog marshalling yard until recently.

[andersley]

Series 642 "Durica". Another French design. The model is currently being rebuilt and repainted to accurately prtray the SZ 642.


I cheated with this one - an instantly recognisable Alco S2, somewhat modified for use as the stone loader switcher. It was a model left over from a previous American layout so was pressed into use.


Some steam locomotives are fairly easy to portray, as some German and Austrian types were used in the former Jugoslavia.

An OBB (Austrian) type 93 becomes an SZ 53, with a little modification. Awaiting etched plates and decals.


A German 58 becomes a JZ 36, again awaiting etched plates and decals.


German 55 will become JZ 35

[Sumpter250]

It's nice to see pictures of "other than the usual suspects". I like your catenary, do most of the locos run off the overhead wire? Very nicely modeled.

[andersley]

It's nice to see pictures of "other than the usual suspects". I like your catenary, do most of the locos run off the overhead wire? Very nicely modeled.

The catenary is not actually energised, as my curves are too tight, making it difficult for the pantographs to stay in contact, so normal 2-rail current collection is used. Powered by DCC.

[andersley]

The prototype station I copied was at Rakek, which I photographed from the train as we were passing


My model:






The story of the construction can be found here: http://www.andersley.co.uk/station.html

[andersley]

A lot of logging takes place in Slovenia and many local stations have loading facilities. Min is no exception!


The stone loader is based on one at Verd. I am currently building working conveyor/hopper to fit into the shell to load granite chippings in the hopper wagons.

[andersley]

I hope this taster of my layout will prompt a visit to the website for more information (link in my signature). I will be happy to answer any questions.

[steinjr]

Wow - your layout (and your web site) looks great, and Slovenian railroads turn out to be a fascinating subject I knew nothing whatsoever about before you posted !

A few questions - the answers may be on your web page, but I didn't spot them right away :

- What's the story behind the layout and station name (Anderslej) ?

- How does your underground staging tracks look - just some single ended tracks, or a return loop or what ?

- You mention in the web page describing your Gomulka EMU (http://www.andersley.co.uk/gomulka.html) the use of a "black beetle motor bogie". I had never heard of these before, but googled for the term and found this site: http://motorbogies.com/index.php?main_pa...cPath=1_24. The bogies used in your EMU look very good - what size motor bogie did you use ?

Btw - I love those nicknames for engine classes. "Helga", "Brigitte", "Spanka" (does it mean something like the Spanish lady?), "Reagans" and so on and so forth. It give a lot of very cool flavor that you use those nicknames in describing your layout!

Thank you for posting these!

Smile,
Stein

[andersley]

Many years ago when I was needing a name for a new O scale garden layout, my wife saw a play on TV and the village name was Andersley. She thought it sounded like a good name for a layout, so I used it!

Most of my layouts since then have been called Andersley, and I use it as my username on some forums. When I had decide to make a Slovenian layout, I asked on a Slovenian forum if the name was ok to use but change the y on the end to j. I was told that was quite acceptable as a Slovenian place name.

The low level staging tracks are purely stub ended sidings.

The Black Beetle motor bogies (made in Australia) are very similar to Tenshodo spuds, but more robust. The Gomulka was designed to use the Black Beetles. I had the pleasure of meeting (and having a beer or two) with the maker of these kits and several other Slovenian friends in Ljubljana. The bo0gies are available in several wheelbases and wheel sizes. They are very smooth and quiet.

"Spanka" does mean Spanish lady, I think as they were built by Macosa in Spain.


The American diesels are named for Presidents. The first ones, class 661 are "Kennedy's" - they have 567 engines and sound superb! Only a few of these left in service now. The 644 "Reagans" are also superb and are driven quite hard so they scream when accellerating! I always have my head out the window when riding behind them! :mrgreen:

A Reagan about to depart for Ptuj - I hopped on this train after taking the picture.


The 664's are similar to tunnel motors, with open grilles at the rear

[e-paw]

very cool stuff, keep posting more.

[sgtcarl1]

Yes!! Please do!!!

[Ralph]

Beautifully done layout Alan! It looks fun to operate too!
Ralph

[tetters]

Wonderful. It is very cool to see such unique motive power and rolling stock. At least it is to relatively new guy like me. Thank you for joining Big Blue and joining the gang.

[nachoman]

One of the best layouts I have seen on this website. Great modeling, and great photography.