Gross Genugs

After a serious setback during baseboard construction, Rob decided to change his plans and build a brickworks layout featured in the 'project' section. The 'Gross Genugs' article was relegated to the archive section, but recently Rob proved to have built some structures, photos of which I added to the end of this archive article - Ted.

Rob Reinders (2001)

As an enthusiast of the Austrian NG scene, I am (March 2001) planning a layout to H0e scale (1:87, 9mm gauge) featuring a typical Austrian narrow gauge station. The plan is inspired on stations like Gross Gerungs, Litschau and Heidenreichstein along the Waldviertelbahn, Ybbsitz along the Ybbstalbahn and Gresten and Ruprechtshofen along the non-electrified branch of the Mariazellerbahn (otherwise the ‘Krumpe’ which is the Austrian equivalent of the 'Great Way Round').

Important characteristics of these stations can be recognised in the plan. For example, all stations have three tracks. Track 1, the centre one, is the main road on which most trains are received. Track 2, at the station building side, is used for goods traffic. Track 3 can be used to receive a train when track 1 is occupied and, and this is also used for shunting. In addition, all stations mentioned have an engine shed used for locos staying overnight. This is necessary because some trains terminate at these stations. From several of the prototype stations once extensions were planned, only one of which materialised at Ruprechtshofen, although today (March 2001) Ruprechtshofen is in fact a terminus again. The suggestion of an extension will be created to the left of the station (you never know what this will result in…). The right end of the layout links up with a fiddle yard.

Some of the Fremo H0e standards (www.h0e.de) were adopted in the design of the modular layout, such as a minimum radius of 70cms, and very slim 10° turnouts. This means that pointwork needs to be scratchbuilt. The first attempts were very promising, but I have yet to produce a really well working specimen. According to the Fremo standards, the track length in the station should be at least 100cms, but because the dimensions of the room do not allow this I had to compromise. I don’t know if I will ever participate in a modular layout, but if I do, there will always be a possibility to fit in an extra section (which could harbour a weighbridge for example).

The design is made to carry out an early 1980s or mid 1990s service. Diesel as well as steam traction is possible (the class 399 steam locos have never been taken out of service officially, and could be found in daily service until the 1990s). With the limited rolling stock I currently own, conceivably Ybbstalbahn and Waldviertelbahn trains (green and ‘Jaffa' coaches), will meet Mariazellerbahn trains (‘Jaffa’ and brown coaches).

Not an inch of track is laid at the moment (March 2001), but I am building some of the structures (water tower, engine shed, transformer tower, station building). The building of the actual layout will start later this year. I am sure that by then I will have made some revisions to the plan again. Some pictures are added to give an impression of what I am aiming for.

All photos by Rob Reinders - click to enlarge.

Left: Weitra, Waldviertelbahn. Station building. 25 August 1999.

Right: OeBB class 2095.01 in 'nostalgic look' arrives in Krimml, Pinzgaubahn. 5 September 2000.

Left: Göstling, Ybbstalbahn. A wagon waits for a load of timber. 2 September 2000.

Right: The loco shed at Gross Gerungs.

 Above: Lunz am See, Ybbstalbahn. Overview. 2 September 2000.

Plan of the projected layout which will be called 'Gross Genugs' (translates as 'large enough'…).

Above: Weitra, Waldviertelbahn. Water tower. 25 August 1999.

Model of the loco shed at Gross Gerungs built by Rob.

Left: model of the water tower at Weitra. Right: a transformer building and a small goods shed.