Voie Libre international

July, august, september 2024 MODELLERS INVENT REALITY What exactly is reality? Take three modellers, place them before a railway scene, and ask them to replicate it in a given scale. You will end up with three totally different worlds! Who is right? Who is closest to reality? Who has most accurately replicated the scene? Any creation is steeped in what it’s author has experienced, in what he/she was feeling at the time of the project, of his/her way of understanding such and such an aspect of the world that surrounds us. So we, at Voie Libre, will not lay down the law, we support all types of modelling, all styles, all sorts of creations. And what a wonderful feeling it is to discover these many realities, all of which are…

Announced in Issue 115 of Voie Libre, the RNAD Baguley-Drewry locotractors produced by Bachmann Europe have been available from retailers since mid-May. Bachmann had indicated that the model would be of a high standard, and this is indeed the case. The chassis and superstructure are finely cast metal. The model is fitted with a small coreless motor that provides very smooth running even before being run in. Add to this a cab with inside furnishings, perfectly applied liveries and the possibility of fitting a Next 18 decoder, and you have an almost faultless engine for 140€. These models will be reviewed in depth in our next issue. Éric Fresné WWW.BACHMANN.CO.UK BAGULEY-DREWRY 70 HP DIESEL REF. 392-025 À 392-029: £119,95 00-9…

This is a new version of a fairly old engine, but which remains an interesting and accurately reproduced model. The chassis features a single, centrally-mounted 5 pole motor, which drives both bogies and all four axles, unlike the earlier versions that had one 3 pole motor per bogie. They are designed to operate with the twin-blade Abt system Bemo rack track, with one pinion per bogie. The Swiss 3 + 1 lighting system is still missing, but a Next 18 decoder socket is now included. The only caveat is the significant amount of light leakage via the cabs and the access areas. Various add-on parts are provided, such as handrails, steps and various hoses for vacuum and air brakes, as well as heating, and electric connectors. Here again, a few…

This L 45 H diesel locomotive, the prototype of which was built by FAUR in Romania, has been the subject of some special releases by Bemo for this retailer, including one in CFR (Romaniain railways) livery. It is available with different numbers and for different eras. As an option, this engine can be ordered with a Next 18 ESU sound decoder. The sound of the Maybach motor is convincing and in addition to the usual sounds, several lighting functions are available such as a shunting mode with all 6 lights on, and one with a high/low headlight mode. The brake hoses and small cab defelctors are add-on parts. The CFR painted the brake hose faucets in blue. Jacques Royan Bemo sells H0-12 axles for these engines. BEMO REF. 1020 915,…

ROCO REF. 7350001 DCC SOUND, PRICE: €354,90 REF. 7340001 ANALOGUE, PRICE: €229.90 A new reference for this era IV/V diesel, when it used to be based on the Waldviertelbahn close to the Czech border, and when it was still on regular passenger and goods services out of Gmünd. This sound version remains very faithful to the prototype, with realistic sound, reversible 3 lamp lighting with high/low headlight mode and cab lighting. Running qualities are excellent, and the speed is realistic (60kp/h maximum speed for the prototype). This model is fitted with a Plux 22 socket and Zimo MS 450 P 22 decoder. A few touches of paint on the electric connectors and the brake hoses will further improve the appearance of this locomotive. H0-9 Jacques Royan…

0O-9 New models, new design, imagine: there isn’t a drop of glue in these carriages! The bodies are injected flat in pre-coloured plastic, then folded, all the assemblies are of the tab type, this is quite remarkable. The printed markings are outstanding, and the lining is extremely fine. The chassis is injected in one block with the inside furnishings, all that remians to be done is to seat a few figures, after having repainted the seats — an easy job as the roof is removable. The models are supplied with injected plastic axles and wheels with steel tyres. Directional indications (Blaenau Ffestioniog – Porthmadog) appear under the chassis, so that consists can be made up in the proper order. François Fontana PECO REF. GR-600A GR-621A GR-620B RRP: £54…