Latest News:

Friday and Saturday (30-31)

Positioning the Perimeter Wall. Read more in: C h a p t er  12.3 v.v.

Thursday, July 29th:

On May 26th, 2006, I had my very first photohoot at my uncle's. One of the gems back then was de Saxonian Class XX HV, later known as Baureihe 19.0 (DRG).

It carried the nickname 'Sachsenstolz' (Saxonia's Pride). I shot the Gützold steamer (#48100) like this:

After he sold his whole collection somewhere around 2010, he started to collect again some models in the years after. One of them is again the Gützold 48100.

As you can see, my creativity in photoshooting has evolved in a certain ay...

Gützold 48100

Wednesday, July 28th

A new chapter is written in the Renovation Journal:  D e r  W e i n b e r g  (the vineyard):

Saturday 17.7.2021

This weekend I finished the Kathedral. The whole story including 'the maing of' is described in Chapter 10.

Thursday, 16.7

The Bavarian D VI in DRG livery. Only one pictures was released in 2009, some more will follow soon.

Frits Osterthun © 15.7.2009 / added 16.7.2021 

Tuesday, 14.7.

Two significant shots (from the Osterthun Files Landshut 2009) of the Austrian Zahnradlokomotive (rack locomotive) System Abt, released as Class 369 by the BBÖ.

 Only two engines of this type (Bauart Z 68.16) were produced in 1941 by the Wiener Lokfabrik Floridsdorf (WLF). During German occupation they were renumerd as DRG 97 401 and 97 402. Micro Metakit converted this locomotive to scale in 2004.

Frits Osterthun © 15.7.2009

Saturday, July 10th

This Italian steamer with Franco Crosti added to the Picture Book... two days later another couple.

Micro Metakit 03901H

Micro Metakit 94103H

Micro Metakit 05405H

Mondag, July 5th

Two blue-backdrop pictures of Maffei's Bavarian BBI Nr. 2100 added. The Monastery roof is fixed, since the hall is not completely deserted.

Micro Metakit 94100H

Saturdy, June 26th

Today I did some work on both the cathedral as the monastery. Read more in Chapter 10.9.

Sunday, 13 June

After weeks of waiting for and testing of the Faller Servo Control, I have continued building the cathedral these days - be it slow slow.

Now it's time for the tower. It looks promising...

Saturday, 12 June

New pictures from the Micro Metakit Files were and still are being added, either with grey or blue backdrop

Micro Metakit 04200H

Micro Metakit 04202H

Micro Metakit 04203H

Micro Metakit 94803H

Micro Metakit 04101H

Micro Metakit 89001H, now with blue backdrop

Micro Metakit 98804H, former Austrian Class 180 (added 17.6.2021)

... and with grey backdrop

Friday, 28 May

Working on the third water layer with Noch "Foam and Spume" in Journal 11, chapter 11.2

Tuesday, 25 May

Last week I provided the 2nd layer of water, using Vallejo Water Texture (26.201). I still need to do the finishing touch with 'doam and spume' (Noch).

Nevertheless, I like the effect already. See Journal 11.

Saturday, 22 May

This morning a package was delivered: Faller Servo Steuerung (180724) and Faller Sound Module (180730).

No problem to put a fine bell tune after my liking to the folder. My cathedral will indeed have a very orignal sound now!

It's time to continue finishing the belltower!

Sunday, May 16th

New addition of MiMe pictures

Micro Metakt 04200H

Micro Metakit 03302H

Saturday, 8/5

All the way to the roof. Last week I attached the flying buttresses. Today the construction of the clock tower started. See more in Journal 10

Friday, 30/4

Working on electricity... see Journal 10

Monday, 19/4

When studying the building description of the Bebenhausen Monastery (Faller 130816), it turned out that the rosette window of the Bebenhausen Church (same mold) had been designed with a beautiful stained-glass window, while 'my' cathedral (Faller 130598) was only foreseen of a cardboard imitation with fantasy window.
A message to Faller and three days later this envelope with two (!) beautiful window sheets in my letterbox.

Sunday, April 11th

Après la messe... the organ is fixed to the balcony. Preparing ceiling lamps and lanterns.

Saturday, April 10th

An altar, a pulpit and a choir organ were made, all scratch. Now the construction of the cathedral can be resumed. Read about the construction in Journal 10

Thursday, 8 April

A new picture form the Rheine Files edited and added: DB 042 360-8 (DRG 41 360) in Doppeltraktion mit 'Langer Heinrich' über die Emslandstrecke (Emden/Rheine)

Viewed by JvB (left), shot by his brother GvB

April 2021

The Cathedral is having an organ in a rather Bätz-Schnitger-Walcker like style. Read the story in Chapter 10.1.

Wednesday, March 31st

Via the Internet I discovered that there are still some Class 95 in DRG livery (Märklin 39098) in circulation.

I bought mine in a small town in Frisia, together with wall cards or better: floor cards (Faller 170627) and Artitec stuff.

Sunday, 28 March

Last week I opened the box of Faller 130598. After checking things out, I started painting the Cathedral (Faller 130598).

This model kit contains 666 parts - not exactly a nice number for a church! - but I bought glue and light bulbs as well, so that makes 667 plus.

Read more in: Journal 10.1.

During painting I started to make a small display for a dear friend of mine with whom I visited the World's largest cuckoo clock years ago. Since this model has become obsolete on my layout, I decided to get rid of it. Because of her birthday I thought it a good idea to give it to her as a memory of a great time we shared.

For many years on the Cochemer Bahn...

... and now as a gift on a display.

13.4.2021

 Friday, 19 March

Aa new doorway from the bridge into the Drachenburg. Handmade. See more in Chapter 47.

Wednesday, 17 March

Adding three Micro Metakit pictures, never released before:

94301H ~ bay. D IV

04100H ~Bay. D VI

03105H ~ DB 18 451 for Lokomotiv-Versuchsanstalt Minden (LVA)

 Saturday, March 13th

At Sander's place I not only collected my pre-ordered Trix and Brawa wagons today.

Trix 23525

Trix 23828

Trix 23536

Brawa 48034

Brawa 48363

Friday, March 12th

The White Tower and Drachenburg are now connected to the Cochemer Burg.

Vegetation is applied and the lights are on...

Thursday, March 4th

I found these gems in my Micro Metakit 'treasure box' from 2009. I only added the grey tone pictures in 2009, so 12 years later they are presented for the first time, not only on my domain but to the world as well. Pretty rare, if you ask me, since these models are not being produced anymore, neither by Micro Metakit nor Micro Feinmechanik.

Monday, March 1st

I finished the D r a c h e n b u r g as good as. All lamps function and I'm looking forward seeing them shine in the darkness of the forest around the Cochemer Burg.

Since Achim Beyer commented (March 1st) on my FB with the phrase "Sehr schöne Burg. Weiß grade nicht warum aber sie erinnert mich an eine drachenburg..." this very name Drachenburg was in my mind all the time. Even more, since the rooftops and roof ridge of this small castle resemble the scales of a dragon. So, thanks Achim!

I took another shot (well, several!) of the Cochemer Burg as well. I still can't believe my eyes that this is happening. Such perfect harmony!

Sunday, 28/2

In the past week I was busy scratch building an extension of the castle, as a connection to the White Tower, also known as Gate Tower.

Read more in Chapter 46 and 47 of the Journal.

Saturday 20.2.2021

How only 5 inches (12,5 cm) can make a difference indeed. Now that the 'oversized villas' on the left side of the poster are offset by the urban sprawl, the backdrop can come out higher.

Things are getting into balance now. The forest in the centre of the model railway now flows smoothly into the green hills on the poster.

Thursday, 18.2.2021

As good as finished: the first part of the Monastery.

Before I decide where this building will be located on the monastery complex, the cathedral will have to be built first.

Tuesday, 16.2.2021

Addition to the Micro Metakit Files: tank locomotive bay. D VI, DIETERICH (BR 88^71-72)

Micro Metakit 94300H

Thursday, 11.2.2021

After the balcony of the station as an intermission, I sincerely started to work on the Vollmer Monastery these days. A more detailed description in Chapter 44 (Journal 9).

11.2.2021

Sunday, 7.2.2021

While an east wind rages across the country with snow showers, I sit inside tinkering with a station canopy. Read the story of its making in Chapter 43.

Thursday, 28.2.2021

Getting things started...

Tuesday, 26.1.2021

No time for boredom...

Saturday, 23.1.2021

Last week I had a curious plan.

As I set up the Klingentorturm on the outskirts of Cochemer Town, I saw how it stood exactly on the edge of the layout. No mirror behind it this time to create depth.

In addition, I have about 53 centimetres of space between layout and background. So, I thought: Why not an extension? Like something you can see under the gate.

A field road or something like that. But this idea quickly grew into urban expansion beyond the wall.

At first, I thought of the Bebenhausen Monastery (Faller 130816). A fantastic subject, which fits well with the theme of the layout.

Unfortunately, this model appears to be sold out for some years and alas, my dealer also had none...

However, the Cathedral (Faller 130598) which in effect is part of the Bebenhausen Monastery, was still available.

To still create something of Monastery Grounds in combination with this cathedral, I ordered the Vollmer Monastery (43860) online on Monday 25/1, which was delivered a day later.

I can certainly move forward in the coming weeks, perhaps months...

All materials delivered at my homestead (by myself)

Thursday, 21.1.2021

We are approaching the roof. The third floor was provided with an interior.

Furthermore, the roof has been painted and I have started thinking about a transition from the Klingentor to the existing wall. A fun challenge...

See for more: Chapter 40 of Journal 8.

21.1.2021

Thursday, 14.1.2021

Heading for the next floor and alphabet a minore...

See Chapter 40.

Monday, 11.1.2021

Slow but steady progress.

Tuesday, 3.1.2021

These days I work with great patience on painting the Klingentor (Faller 130400). In slow, joyful and satisfying progress...

Read more in Chapter 40 of Journal 8.

5.1.2021

Monday, 2.1.2020

A new chapter is written: the Cochemer Bahn finally has a decent background. Read Chapter 39.

I finished this 366 cm (12 foot) wide background on the last day of 2020, and I have to say, I'm quite proud of the effect on the whole layout and the opportunity in now will give to make more inspiring pictures and clips. On my FB channel, I posted 4 pictures of this project which resulted in over 600 hits within 21 hours and a great many responses.