Collectors should always have desires.

 I my case it was a brown BLS AE 4/4 from Trix-Express since I had spotted the prototype on a vacation in Switzerland in 1969!

Since 1970 we had the green version at our layout running, but in Kandersteg station on the original BLS line all the engines had brown colour!

 

Infected by this, it was not easy to get the brown version in these times, because the model was off selling by 1969.

Also on second hand markets in the 80ties and 90ties this version was very rare and extremely expensive.

 

 

In the year 2002 I was visiting a collectors place for Märklin model's in the Rhein-Main area on the search for my different kind of 3 rail equipment.

Lucky I found for little money a complete green AE 4/4 in bad condition and the idea was born to change it into the desired brown version.

I the year 2005 I had the time to strip the paint off and colour it with RAL 8017 chocolate brown and RAL 7035 light grey.

Usually I spray with cans while missing a air compressor.

 

To have good results in paint brushing models, I prefer to take some precautions:

 

· Dismount the model as far it is possible

· The surface must be stripped completely from the old colour and decreased.

· Do not touch it after the decreasing with bare fingers

· The air temperature must be between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

· Spray cans do not spray homogeneous immediately, to avoid drops start and stop to spray outside of the model.

· Spray several thin layers with enough time in between to dry the colour. The final layer should result in a smooth surface without creating ribbles.

 

The chosen brown colour RAL 8017 is similar to the original Trix colour. The original roof colour in light grey seems compared to the original green version to bright. But pictures of prototype engines after revision at the BLS came very close to my version.

The pictures of the finished engine here on this page are taken in November 2007 after two years operating the loco witch caused several little marks.

 

Refurbishing

the BLS AE 4/4

I was able to adjust the old electrical overhead wire pickers so they work again. The optical refurbished AE 4/4 got in 2007 a replacement Mabuchi engine with flywheel for dynamic driving and excellent operation.

 

The picture below shows the loco at service on the model of the Bietschtal bridge on the original BLS line in Switzerland.

Trix and Trix-Express are trade marks and registered trade marks of Trix Modelleisenbahn GmbH & Co. KG, Göppingen/Germany. Trade marks or product names mentioned are trade marks or registered trade marks of the respective owners.

A journey to the Moosbach-Rheinheimer-Railway

3fahrt - Dream and fiction in 1:87

3fahrt

A journey to the Moosbach-Rheinheimer-Railway

Equipment of Moosbach-Rheinheimer Railway

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