Smržovka
North East Czech Republic TT scale (1:120)
This is a new layout was completed in time for its first showing in early September 2006. Some of the inspiration to build a Czech TT layout came from seeing the Praha 3 model railway clubs nice modular TT layout. The idea for a Czech layout came about after our first visit to Prague in December 2004 when we visited the main station and saw the wide variety of rolling stock. After a second visit in April 2005 we decided to model the terminus station in Prague, Masarykovo. However as this will be a large project we have decided to first build a smaller layout whilst we obtain enough rolling stock. All of the electric EMU's will have to be scratch built. One set is already under construction. After visiting Tanvald in the North east of the Country we then travelled towards Liberec and got off the train at the junction station of Smržovka in order to travel on the short branch line to Josefuv Dul. We had a 40 minute wait and decided to have a nice Czech dark beer from the little bar attached to the station. Whilst there we realised that this station was ideal for a small layout as there was a cliff at the back of the loops to form a backdrop and each end of the station dived into trees or between buildings. Upon travelling to the end of the branch line we saw a wagon being unloaded and hence there would be freight trains shunting at the junction. Although this is a diesel only line, the layout will also provide a good test bed for the EMU's being built along with all the other stock that would be needed for the larger project..
The Tillig TT track has been obtained from International Models
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sot_dcbpSI8
Plan Layout size is 16 feet by 20 inches with a further 17 Inches behind each end board for the curves giving a widest point of 3 feet 1 inch.
The locos, coaches, railcars and freight wagons have all come from small manufacturers in the Czech Republic. Some locos and railcars have been bought ready built but will have to be renumbered once etched numbers can be found, to represent those we have taken photos of in the area around Smrzovka. We are also replacing the large TT coupling with American Microtrains N scale couplers so that we can have remote uncoupling etc. Some resin loco and railcar bodies have been obtained through the Russian Railway Society in this country. They are be fitted with the Australian Bullant motors that are on order through the UK 3mm supplier listed in the links section below. Further Into The Future There are also plans for a possible HO scale layout of the branch terminus station.
Links to Related TT stuff http://www.hobby-shop.cz/en/index.php Czech supplier of TT concrete sleepered track amongst other itemsk Very good site on railtours special events train formations in the Czech republic 3mm scale Model Raiways - UK based supplier of 3mm items Pragomodel - Small but very good Model Railway shop in the centre of Prague Elektorservices - a very good model shop in Pecky about 40 minutes by train from Prague International Models - UK based TT rolling stock and scenic supplier |
As the layout is under construction, here are some photos of the real location we are modelling
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Click on a photo to see a larger version |
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Shows attended so far
Woodmansterne - September 2006 Swindon modelrail - November 2006 Barrow In Furness - Easter 2007 Chatham - June 2007 Canterbury January 2008 Eurotrack Southampton - February 2008 Haywards Heath - September 2008 Earley - September 2008 Beckenham - October 2008 Alexandra Palace - April 2009 Trainwest, Melksham - May 2009 Wigan in December 2009 Derby - April 2010 Bexhill - 2010 High Wycombe - November 2010 Burgess Hill - May 2011 East Grinstead 2012
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