ÖBB’s 2068 Diesel Switchers
ÖBB’s 2068 Diesel Switchers A homely locomotive that still has its charms By Ernest H. Robl Austria’s 2068 diesel switchers look somewhat out of place among the many elegant pieces of motive
ÖBB Loco Numbering
ÖBB Loco Numbering Making sense of Austrian class numbers By Ernest H. Robl People have asked me, both here and elsewhere, how the Austrian (primarily ÖBB) locomotive numbering scheme works. I thought
Roco/Fleischmann’s Digital Handbook, vol. 1
Roco/Fleischmann’s Digital Handbook, vol. 1 A review By Ernest H. Robl When Roco announced in 2016 that it planned to produce a series of books, at least two of which would focus
Thoughts About Layout Design 2
Thoughts About Layout Design 2 Starting with a start set By Ernest H. Robl In a previous post, Christmas in July, I wrote about how start sets were a good way to
Thoughts About Layout Design 1
Thoughts About Layout Design 1 Commentary By Ernest H. Robl New model railroaders often want advice on how to design their first layout — or where to find appropriate layout plans. They
Roco Line With Roadbed Is Back
Roco Line With Roadbed Is Back! A look at why this product became an instant classic By Ernest H. Robl When it was introduced in stages in the late 1980s and early
Tracks in Concrete
Tracks in Concrete A quick project with tempered fiberboard By Ernest H. Robl In many industrial areas and even at some railroad facilities, tracks are embedded in concrete, much like streetcar tracks
Austria’s 1245.5 Electrics
Austria’s 1245.5 Electrics Veteran locomotives with a rich history By Ernest H. Robl Austria’s 1245.5 series of electric boxcab locomotives never got much respect – except from the veteran locomotive engineers who
A Picture Is Worth …
A Picture Is Worth … … A second look By Ernest H. Robl In preparation for major construction on my layout, I’ve been acquiring scenic components – and in some cases partly
