December 2004

The reconstruction of the MD2 is in progress. Now it's to see how the loco looked formerly. But it isn't possible to remove the holes in the surface of the frame made by corrosion. Theybear witness of the decades this "scrap" stood around unsheltered. Now the gearbox and chassis are fully functionable. The next step will be to mount the motor and the bonnet. The pictures show the loco in Schechat near Vienna and in it's recent condition.

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October 2004

Just in time to the 14th International Feldbahn Meeting in Glossen the DEMAG ML15 was ready to show what she can. The motor runs uniformly from the first starting after about 40 years of standstill! The reconstruction of the ML15 was a real teamwork of the "Feldbahnschauanlage Glossen" club members. Now the motor owns a new cylinder liner, valves, piston rings, injection pump and a waorkmanlike repaired radiator. Furthermore the fractured steel bottom tray of the gear box was welded by a specialist and a virgin nozzle was mounted. The exhaust box was re-manufactured in the traditional manner. But the succes was worth the trouble: the motor runs perfectly consistent and the loco has a very good riding quality - because of its three point attachment. But the driver is a poor guy: the noise made by motor and gearbox inside the iron cab is horrible. 60 years before the loco was a high tech product, may be the locomitive driver was proud of "his" loco anyway.

 

 

September 2004

After a short but intensive reconstruction the RL1a from France could show what it can: it runs up the hills like a rabbit! And that after about 40 years of standstill. But there were seriuos defects at the motor and the gearbox. the gearbox was without any oil at all and rather rusty but with patience and some power it could made free to move. The motor had damages by frozen water as well in the cylinder haed as in the jacket. Both of them could be repaired by liquid rubber and pressing screws. It would be possible to weld the parts, but I will wait and observe the motor. After the first rides no cooling water cames out of the engine ... At the photo the loco is to see in last light of the sunset and with a cloud of smoke from the exhaust pipe.

 

 

 

 

July 2004

Now the RL1c has back her roof: as well the reconstruction of the locomotive isn't finished yet, outwards it is nearly complete. The roof is an original part from a more than 30 years ago scrapped loco. It remains in a brick yard and can be used now for it's primal purpose. Because of the fact that the RL1c had a roof originally the replacement is very enjoyable. Now you can make a "convenient" ride by the loco as well in sunshine as in rain ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2004

That's life! During the holiday trip another O&K Montania loco cames into the collection: a MD2 type. It has a broadened frame for a gauge of 750mm or more, but today the gauge is 600mm. May be it wouldn't be possible to find out the identity of the loco, because mostly all parts of th housing are lost. An advice that the place of assembling could be the O&K plant in Budapest gives the hungarian radiator. The loco remains without any shelter for decades on the company site of a dealer of construction machines in Vienna before it came to the railway museum in Schwechat near Vienna. From this museum it could be acquired by change with another loco. The actually condition of the MD2 is a real challenge for every friend of narrow gauge railroads!

 

April 2004

And another new entrant: From France I got a Montania RL1a type with a closed bonnet. It represents the change to the RL1c type, although the loco has the 11 H.P. engine. The machine was delivered to a pit, but for the service above ground. That's why it hasn't any mining equipment. The general condition of the loco isn't so bad, the motor is able to turn but only with strong arms. The seat for the driver and the lever for the brake are missing, but I can replace them from my "store". The loco is - without any later additions - very authentic and it owns remarkable "buffer plates" for handling mining cars.

 

 

 

 

March 2004

New entrants: By fortunate circumstances I could buy one of the favoured DEMAG ML15. Just now the reconstruction is in process, I hope, that the loco will run at the International Feldbahn Meeting in Glossen from 15th to 17th of october 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

Anymore another new loco came in change with a DEUTZ OME117 to my collection: the DEUTZ OMZ117 No. 11918. It's an early exemplar of this type without the typical air filter on the top of the bonnet and with a lower cabin. The equipment for the starting of the engine with compressed air is completely preserved . But before running the loco must be reconstructed, it stands on a play ground for many years ...

 

 

 

 

 

RL3: There are some troubles yet with this loco: the carriage is repaired and the electrical equipment is replaced, but there are some problems with the fuel injection pump. That's why the motor doesn't run consistent and some times it sounds distressing. There fore I sent the fuel pump to the manufacturer BOSCH and they will repair it, after over 60 years!