Voie Libre international OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 - 115

October, november, december 2023 SHARING Sharing means contributing something to a community, creating ties with other people, or more accurately preserving those ties because they are protective, because the others help us and contribute something in return. Sharing is also a response to our need to exist, to be individuals, to be considered. Sharing is vital. So, let's share! By building a layout together, by displaying a personal project, by describing a model we have built. And precisely, because this issue of Voie Libre is very much focussed on joint projects, we suggest you tell us more about how you bring them to life, about the model you have designed, about the documentation you used as a base. Because the model you built deserves it, but above all because our…

Bachmann has released modern versions of Linda and Blanche, two 0-4-0 saddle tanks built by Hunslet in 1893 for the Penrhyn Quarry Railway. When the railway closed, the engines were preserved by the Ffestiniog Railway, converted into tender locomotives fitted with a pony truck, and turned into oil-burners before reverting to coal firing. This is the version that has just been released, with their specific tenders, without a shelter for Linda and with one for Blanche. These models are fitted with a coreless motor, a flywheel and a next18 socket for fitting a decoder. The sound versions are also available off-the-shelf. Of particular note is the green livery with black ornaments and red lining. One small drawback is that these models are available only from the Ffestiniog shop at a…

To complement their splendid little 4-wheeler wagons (see VL 113), Bachmann Europe has announced the forthcoming release of a Drewry-Baguley 4-wheeler tractor. The prototype wes delivered to the Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) in the early 1980s and its appearance is distinctly modern. The scale model should be of high quality. Read on: coreless motor, axles fitted to steel bearings, cast metal to increase the adhesive weight, detailed cab furnishings and of course, a next 18 socket to ease digitising… And all this for quite a bit less than 150€ (109.95£)! The model is expected at the end of this year or in early 2024. Bachmann has just received the decorated pre-production units. This tractor will be available in yellow military livery with black stripes or in green and red…

HALLING REF. OLD-L44-M MOTORIZED MODEL PRICE: 169€ REF. OLD-144-S NON-MOTORIZED MODEL PRICE: 119€ HO The Austrian firm Halling is celebrating the 150 anniversary of the Lisbon tram system. This Tw 444 driving unit, put into service in 1920, is nowadays preserved at the Tramway Museum of the Carris company. The stickers supplied with the model correspond to both the contemporary Museum markings or to those of the historic lines. The model is made of injected plastic and fitted with the Halling driving mechanism allowing it to run on a range of gauges, but mainly 16.5 and 12mm, by moving the wheels closer on the axles. For 9mm gauge, it is advisable to buy the specific axles separately. François Fontana…

We have here a delightful small building kit, in 1.5 and 1mm thick MDF and 0.3mm thick card. The high quality parts are laser-cut, assembly requires just a bit of care and a touch of glue. Colouring the model is probably the trickiest part of the job, I recommend a coat of primer applied with a spray can or a brush, before applying ultrathin coats of paint. Avoid water colours that risk damaging the surface of the materials. Weather the building lightly and the result should be very pleasing indeed. François Fontana HO DEBELEM REF. ABRI/STATION TRAMWAY PRICE: 28€ DEBELEM.FR…

This Anglo-Saxon sounding code name conceals a gifted French modeller: Franck Tavernier. He has released a conversion kit for an O&K MD2 tractor from the Mark Hesketh models artisan range. In addition to many detailing parts, the set includes a new driving chassis fitted with a Faulhaber mechanism, a smoother transmission, 3-point suspensions and pre-fitting for DCC sound. François Fontana 1/35 FRANCK'S MODEL WORKSHOP WWW.FRANCKSMODELWORKSHOP.COM…