Lanz HR9 D2539

With corona restrictions still in force over most of Europe it seems that many collectors are using the time to clear closets, attics and spare bedrooms from unwanted items. From Spain I recently aquired a Schuco Lanz HR 9 in mint condition. An interesting model and very appropriately there was a Lanz 'Eil Bulldog' like it on the roads around the real Nystrup from the late 1930's.

Recently arrived, the model seen placed on my road photo plank.

I have always liked tractors fitted out for road transport, often pulling several trailers. I had plans for a complete road train in 1:35 scale, but never got round to build one. At least I now have the tractor. The Lanz HR9 model D2539 was manufactured over a wide span of time from 1936 to 1954. The D 2539 was powered by a one cylinder engine with 55 hp, a winch, and a closed cab protecting the driver from the elements and the dust kicked up by the tractor's top speed of 30 km/h. The Lanz roaming the roads around Nystrup was owned by the local haulage contractor Hansen, who was the major hauler of timber from the woods in the area and of course a lot of the gravel dug up by Nystrup Gravel. Hansen also employed a steam tractor (which I have also recreated in model) and had a small fleet of lorries. When the Lanz arrived in the late 1930's it regularly hauled double the load as managed by Hansen's small Ford AA lorries.

A barn find from Germany. Here and there very minute areas of blue and red paint can be spotted. Most of the dirt seem to be oily dust and should clean off easy with a rag.

The German company Schuco has a long history of making road vehicle toys and models. The Schuco models have a good level of detail and not too many of the rather clumsy parts seen on other large scale pre-assembled models. Still there are some parts with visible mould lines and the trailer sign on top of the cab is quite a coarse representation. Nothing that can't be fixed with a little work, though.

The Schuco model makes a solid impression and has all the characteristics of the real Lanz D2539.

A view through the open door into the cab. There is an abundance of detail present. Even the interior light in the cab roof is in place. The gearbox and a very detailed steering column with gearing for transferring the steering motion to the front wheels is visible under the cab floor. 

As with every vehicle for use on my small model of Nystrup Gravel the Lanz will also receive minor detail upgrades, new parts, decals and weathering. As I'm currently finishing the Citroen Traction Avant and prepares for ground and track works on my modules, it will probably last a while before the Lanz gets on my workbench.

The Lanz seen from the rear. The winch can be seen below the coupling for the trailer.

The Lanz D2539 is a rather large vehicle and is here being admired by one of the local workers.

Nystrup Gravel's Fowler

The early narrow gauge diesel locomotives by John Fowler of Leeds have always fascinated me. When I through my research discovered that Nystrup Gravel had a 1934 Fowler diesel loco I traced a Fowler for my then 1:35 scale version of the gravel company. I currently have a 16 mm scale Fowler in progress with an estimated delivery date sometimes in the first half of 2021 if Covid-19, Brexit and I don't know what isn't messing things up. I keep my fingers crossed!

The Fowler at Nystrup was probably originally meant for a customer in the tropics using Imperial measurements. The gauge on the loco was in fact 2 feet (610 mm) while Nystrup Gravel used 600 mm gauge. The Fowler was consequently slightly 'over gauged'. There is no indication from archive scources that the loco ever derailed more than any of the company's other locos.

Not too long after it had arrived, the Fowler was photographed in the mid-1930's outside Nystrup Gravel's brick loco shed outside Nystrup. Later the loco would receive the number 11 on the cab sides, large jack on the running board, lights and the drivers' modifications to the cab to keep out wind and cold. Photo: Beldringe Local Historical Society.

When the Fowler arrived in Nystrup it was tested and used as a central attraction in PR activities by the then new director Holm at the gravel company. The local press, politicians and administrative staff from local government was invited to Nystrup as often as deemed necessary by the director. Besides having access to parts of the company's archive that policy has enabled me to trace the company history in the pages of the local newspapers. The article below (dated January 17. 1934) is just one example.

The article begins: “Yesterday Nystrup Gravel’s new British diesel locomotive arrived on a heavy load trailer. The new locomotive is necessary because of the rising production following the many government projects initiated to fight unemployment…” The journalist continues describing the loco:

“The new diesel locomotive is a marvellous example of British engineering and technical proficiency. In its glorious coat of green paint it completely outshines the gravel company’s smaller gasoline locomotives

The visiting press was invited for a ride: “Anyone interested was treated to a tour in the locomotive’s spacious cab and could feel the mighty power of the engine vibrating in every lever and cab floor. The cab allows a flow of fresh air and provides a great view for the driver, something the workers will no doubt appreciate during shunting.”
 
No doubt the journalist hadn't much experience of loco driving in the cold Danish climate. Only on warm summer days did the drivers appreciate the cab designed for much warmer climates. Most of the year they were freezing despite trying to close the cab with a variety of tarpaulins and wooden boards. The floor vibrating with "the mighty power of the engine" also failed to please the workers for some reason. 

Nevertheless the Fowler was one of Nystrup's primary locomotives for a number of years. It was out of service for most of the German occupation of Denmark 1940-1945 due to lack of spare parts. As soon as parts were available again it was back in service, being in use at least until 1959.

Working on the Traction Avant

Every road vehicle at Nystrup Gravel receive an upgrade before going into service on my still developing 16 mm scale narrow gauge industrial railway. Usually I remove the most clumsy detail, fit new details, add Danish license plates and moderate weathering. Sometimes printed on lettering is removed, new paint applied and custom designed decals fitted. Currently I'm working on the Maisto model of the 1/18 Citroen Traction Avant 15-Six from 1952.

The Traction Avant taken apart. Painting of the engine is in progress.

Removing 4 screws  from the bottom of the car separates upper body and chassis - almost. I had to cut the steering column to achieve clean separation, though. By removing 2 screws I could also remove the dasboard from the upper body. This will help when toning down some of the rather harsh chrome finish applied to e.g. the rear view mirror.

The Maisto model's engine is moulded in a green colour not too far from the prototype's. I added other colours to the engine and the engine compartment. Mostly to hide the plastic look and to provide a minimum of realism when viewed through the open bonnet.

A real Traction Avant with the colour scheme I'm trying to represent.

Engine painting in progress. Some parts have had a new coat of paint, other parts are still naked plastic.

I applied a quick paint and weathering job to the car's underside. Not many will see this, but I like to know the underside isn't looking shiny and new.

Next up is the interior that will need floor mats and treatment of dashboard as well as having weathering applied to the inside of the mudguards. License plates are to be fitted and both bumpers will be repainted after some light conversion work.

Lucky Me!

Sometimes you're just lucky. I had one of those days last weekend. Getting my hands on an classic Danish model railway book. My luck didn't stop there. As I opened the book I noticed an image of a narrow gauge industrial steam loco glued into the book with two strips of christmas stamps.

'Model railways as a hobby' is the title of the book. It was first published in 1971 and I remember reading it at the library as a boy. It was probably the first book I read about scratch building and it didn't take long before I began cutting card board for my own model building. The rest is history, as they say. 

"From me to you" in hand writing and the Danish national christmas stamp from 1975 used to fix the photograph to the book's half title.

The image shows a somewhat dismantled and negleted Orenstein & Koppel 4-wheeled steam loco of a 20-30 hp type. Probably built 1910-25. There are no sidetanks which is unusual for O&K-locos of this model. A lady is waving to the photographer from the cab. Perhaps a Sunday trip turned loco spotting? She is dressed in a style that could be the 1930's-1940's, but probably the style could pass in the early 1950's as well. While the book is Danish, there are no features in the image proving the loco to be a Danish one, although it may very well be so.

"Hi, darling! I'm a loco driver now."

I will pass the image on in my network, and hopefully some expert will be able to help identify the locomotive. 

Sleeper Production

With the coming of Autumn and the traditional peak season for railway modelling arriving, I have been cutting sleepers for Nystrup Gravel. The sleepers are from Wenz Modellbau in Germany. I shortened them from their original length of 80 mm to differing lengths between 60-70 mm  (corresponding to a scale length of app. 1100 mm-1300 mm). I cut the sleepers with a standard junior hacksaw, removing any splinters with a sanding stick.

The major items involved in my first experiment with 16 mm scale wooden sleepers.

I then treated the sleepers with a variety of instruments to create the impression of worn and primitive wooden sleepers. With knife blade, wire brush, sav blade and coarse sand paper I created a rough surface structure to the sleepers. Some got a light treatment, some a rough.

A selection of roughed up sleepers on my worn cutting mat. The two upper left ones are representing emergency sleepers assembled from discarded sleepers cut up and held together with steel rod.

Having produced a batch of 40 sleepers I mixed a small amount of light grey water soluble wood stain and brushed the fluid onto the sleepers. The mix dried fast, and as I had used a decent amount of water, the mix was rather thin. I gave the sleepers from 4-7 coverings of the mix, creating some variation in tone. Some of the sleepers needed another pass with the sanding stick, as the stain had made some of the wood fibres 'stand up'. That created further variation. 

Staining in progress.

The result of several washes with light grey staining fluid. A light grey upper surface, ready for weathering effects.

I will now add a basic weathering to all the sleepers before they are ready for track laying. Further weathering will be applied after the track is finished.

Point Lever Assembled

In short breaks in a period of some hectic work schedules I have been able to assemble one of the point levers from Feld-, Garten- und Grossbahn. The white metal castings were well cast and only sporadic mould lines were present. They were removed with sanding sticks and the holes cleaned up with a round file. The casting representing the lever's handle looked a bit odd, and I will be replacing it with a piece of heavy wire.

Almost finished point lever with home made direction indicator.

Prototype point lever of the same type photographed on the Hedeland Vintage Railway. The upper bracket for holding the direction indicator has broken off.

Assembly of the cleaned up parts wasn't too difficult. Just remember to test fit now and then to make sure you don't get the holes opnened up too much, which will make the lever wobbly in service. The only real test provided was the drilling of a 0,8 mm hole for a piece of wire to be superglued into the axle holding the weighted arm of the lever. With plenty of light and a pair of steady hands it worked out in the end, producing a working lever.

To indicate which way the point is set, the lever kit is supplied with a lantern that can be fitted with lights. That is a bit too fancy for a simple industrial railway like mine. I chose to fit the lever with a home made direction indicator from a brass pipe and a piece of brass cut to shape with a pair of scissors. Assembled with solder, the job was done in no time.

A large peg allows the lever assembly to be firmly attached to a sleeper.

The pin and arms that operate the direction indicator can be seen fitted to the right hand end of the lever's central axle.

With only a handle missing, the lever will soon be put in a box waiting for track laying at Nystrup Gravel to begin. I'm currenty in the process of cutting ties for my first track. 

Coach In Service

It has been almost a full month since I last posted here. Not much have happened modelling wise and I have been working and helping out keeping the 1:1 scale narrow gauge vintage railway running. Having an unfinished project on the shelf for too long, isn't the best recipe for my appetite for new progress, so I settled for a quick process for finishing the four wheel coach.

The Nystrup Gravel coach no. 3 pushed by loco no. 3. With a vigilant lookout on the front platform, the short train has travelled the light track safely and is now ready for a photo session before moving on.

Not much work remained when I last left the coach and the buffers had arrived. While figured out how to mount the buffers I prepared the large platform ends. The wooden end pieces were left soaking in water for 1½ hour to make them workable. I fitted them in a homemade jig and held them down with clamps for a day. While they didn't come out fitting precisely, they certainly are acceptable for a well used coach on a small industrial railway. The end plates were fitted with hand rails, primed and the plates painted black and the hand rails red. With the buffers painted black, all that missed was a number on the coach's sides. I found an etched metal stencil and positioned  it roughly central on the coach's side and stippeled red paint over the stencil. I removed it before the paint dried (which would have 'glued' the stencil to the coach).

The lookout has gone (he remembered to close the sliding door) and the Lister is ready to pull away to allow the coach to be photographed on its own.

The polished windows are a marked contrast to the otherwise rather worn coach. This section of the Nystrup Gravel line used very light rail.

As usual for all my models the coach was weathered with a mix of oil and acrylic paint, pastel chalk and physical effects with wire brush and knife blade. While the coach is now labelled as finished and ready for service, I am planning to replace the couplings. Readers of the blog have already been advising me on alternatives that may work, even if not in 1:19 scale.

End view showing some of the interior which is kept more tidy than the outside.